Fix Apex Legends Memory Could Not Be Read Error

The “memory could not be read” error in Apex Legends is a Windows crash message that appears when the game tries to access an invalid memory address, often causing the game to close to the desktop. The fix usually involves updating your graphics drivers, verifying game files, and disabling overclocking, but the exact steps depend on the root cause. This guide walks you through the most effective solutions, from quick checks to deeper system tweaks.

What Causes the “Memory Could Not Be Read” Error?

This error is not unique to Apex Legends; it’s a common Windows error that occurs when a program attempts to read from a memory address that doesn’t exist or is protected. In the context of Apex Legends, the trigger is often one of the following:

• Corrupted or missing game files – A failed update or installation can leave game data in an inconsistent state.
• Outdated or faulty graphics drivers – The game may try to use a driver function that is not properly supported.
• Overclocking instability – CPU, GPU, or RAM overclocks can cause memory errors, especially if the overclock is not stable under load.
• Antivirus or background software interference – Security tools can sometimes block the game from accessing certain memory regions.
• Windows system file corruption – Underlying OS issues can affect any application.

While the error message itself is generic, the steps below address each of these common causes in order of likelihood.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

Before diving into technical fixes, try these quick checks—they resolve the issue for many players:

1. Restart your PC – A fresh boot clears temporary memory issues.
2. Run Apex Legends as administrator – Right-click the game shortcut, select “Run as administrator.” This gives the game the permissions it needs to access certain memory regions.
3. Close background applications – Especially Discord, browsers, and any overlay software (like MSI Afterburner or RivaTuner). These can conflict with the game’s memory usage.
4. Check for Windows updates – Install any pending updates and restart.

If the error persists, move on to the more thorough fixes below.

Fix 1: Verify Game Files (Origin/EA App and Steam)

Corrupted game files are the most frequent cause of this error. Verifying the game’s integrity will replace any missing or broken files.

On Steam:

1. Open your Steam library.
2. Right-click Apex Legends and select Properties.
3. Go to the Local Files tab.
4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

On the EA app (or Origin):

1. Open the EA app and go to your game library.
2. Click the three dots on the Apex Legends tile and select Repair.
3. Wait for the process to complete. This can take a few minutes.

After verification, launch the game to see if the error is gone. If not, continue.

Fix 2: Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers are a common cause of memory-related crashes. However, sometimes the newest driver can also cause issues if it has bugs. Here’s what to do:

1. Update your driver – Go to the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your GPU. Use the auto-detect tool if you’re unsure of your model.
2. Clean install the driver – Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to remove old drivers completely, then install the new one. This prevents conflicts.
3. If the error started after a driver update – Roll back to the previous version. In Device Manager, right-click your GPU, select Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.

After updating, restart your PC and test the game.

Fix 3: Disable Overclocking and XMP

Overclocking your CPU, GPU, or RAM can cause memory instability, especially under the heavy load of a game like Apex. Even if your system passes stress tests, the game’s specific memory patterns can trigger errors.

• If you overclock your CPU or GPU – Reset your BIOS to default settings or remove the overclock using your motherboard’s software (e.g., Intel XTU, AMD Ryzen Master).
• If you use XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) for RAM – These profiles can cause instability. Temporarily disable them in BIOS to see if the error stops. If it does, your RAM may not be stable at the rated speed.

After disabling overclocks, test the game. If the error disappears, you can try a more conservative overclock or leave it off.

Fix 4: Run System File Checker and DISM

Windows system file corruption can cause this error. Use the built-in tools to repair system files.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search “cmd”, right-click, “Run as administrator”).
2. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish. This scans and repairs protected system files.
3. If issues are found, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and wait for completion.
4. Restart your PC.

This process can take 15-30 minutes. It’s a good idea to do this even if you suspect other causes, as it fixes underlying issues.

Fix 5: Adjust Virtual Memory (Pagefile)

Insufficient virtual memory can lead to memory read errors. Windows uses a pagefile on your hard drive as virtual RAM. Increasing it can help.

1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced System Settings.
2. Under Performance, click Settings → Advanced tab.
3. Under Virtual Memory, click Change.
4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
5. Select your system drive (usually C:), choose Custom size, and set Initial size to 1024 MB and Maximum size to 4096 MB (or 1.5x your RAM).
6. Click Set and then OK. Restart your PC.

If you have plenty of RAM (16GB+), you can also try setting the pagefile to “System managed size” if it’s currently custom.

Fix 6: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Overlays

Windows’ fullscreen optimizations and third-party overlays can interfere with the game’s memory handling.

• Disable fullscreen optimizations for the game executable – Navigate to the game’s install folder (usually C:\Program Files\EA Games\Apex Legends or via Steam), right-click r5apex.exe, select Properties → Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
• Disable overlays – In the EA app or Steam, turn off the in-game overlay. For Discord, go to Settings → Overlay and disable it. Also disable GeForce Experience overlay if you have it.

These overlays are known to cause memory conflicts in many games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this error caused by my RAM being faulty?

It’s possible, but not the most common cause. Faulty RAM can cause memory errors, but they usually appear in other applications too. If you’ve tried all the fixes above, you can test your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic (search “Windows Memory Diagnostic” and run it). If it finds errors, you’ll need to replace the faulty stick.

Does reinstalling Apex Legends fix the error?

Yes, a clean reinstall can fix the error if it’s caused by corrupted game files that verification didn’t catch. Uninstall the game, delete the remaining folder (in Program Files or Steam/steamapps/common), and reinstall. This is a more thorough version of verifying files.

Why does the error happen only in Apex Legends and not other games?

Apex Legends uses a specific engine (Source) and anti-cheat (Easy Anti-Cheat) that may interact with your system in a unique way. Other games may not stress the same memory regions, or they may handle errors more gracefully. It’s also possible that the game’s settings (like texture quality) are too high for your VRAM, causing memory pressure.

Can a Windows update cause this error?

Yes, sometimes a Windows update can introduce a bug that affects memory management. If the error started after a recent Windows update, you can try uninstalling that update (Settings → Update & Security → View update history → Uninstall updates). If that fixes it, you can wait for a patch or reinstall the update later.

Should I lower my in-game graphics settings?

Lowering graphics settings can help if the error is due to insufficient VRAM or memory pressure. Try setting texture quality to a lower setting and disabling effects like shadows. This is a temporary workaround, not a permanent fix, but it can let you play while you troubleshoot.

Is there a permanent fix?

The permanent fix depends on the root cause. For most players, verifying files and updating drivers resolves it permanently. If it’s caused by overclocking, disabling the overclock is the permanent fix. If it’s a Windows issue, keeping your system updated and running SFC/DISM regularly can prevent recurrence.

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