The software attempts to "protect" its own memory space and code execution to ensure it runs correctly within the game's environment. Error Code 4 specifically indicates a failure in the function. In simple terms, the emulator is trying to change the memory permissions of a specific region of your system RAM to read/write/execute its code, and Windows has denied this request.
If you have a 32-bit game, you must use the 32-bit version of the library. Ensure the file inside your game folder is named correctly (usually xinput1_3.dll ) and corresponds to the game's architecture.
When it fails, it fails safely. But “safe” for the software means “dead” for your game session. self protection failed error code 4 x360ce
Windows Defender and third-party AVs (like McAfee, Norton, or Avast) aggressively monitor write operations to DLL files. Since x360ce creates and overwrites DLLs in your game folder, the antivirus may block the write and return Error Code 4.
If you are still using x360ce version 3.x or an early 4.x beta, the self-protection logic may have bugs. The current stable version (as of this writing) is or newer. The software attempts to "protect" its own memory
If you are on a corporate PC, a shared computer, or a machine that survived a Windows reset, the folder permissions might be scrambled.
Self protection failed — the ghost in the driver stack refused to lie anymore. Error code 4, the controller’s last confession: “I am not an Xbox pad. I am a log of plastic and copper held together by a cracked DLL. You asked me to pretend too long.” If you have a 32-bit game, you must
x360ce has a built-in against tampering, debugging, or memory hooks by other programs. Error code 4 specifically means:
After enabling this, you should no longer see the error. If you do, proceed to Solution 3.
A: No. This error has nothing to do with your hardware. It is purely a Windows file-permission or antivirus issue.
The program isn't running with enough authority to write files to protected folders (like C:\Program Files ).