Bug Report: EA Anti-Cheat Fails on Windows 11 26100.4061 - PvZ GW2 Won't Launch

Bug Report: EA Anti-Cheat Fails on Windows 11 26100.4061 — PvZ GW2 Won’t Launch

Platform: PC – Steam version of Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Description: After updating to Windows 11 Build 26100.4061, I can no longer launch PvZ GW2. The EA App begins "Preparing game", then the official GW2 splash screen appears for a few seconds and disappears. The game never launches.

From Event Viewer, I consistently get this error: EAAntiCheatService – Failed retrieving service path.

Additionally, the EA App shows “Background services crashed” with a prompt to run an update.

Steps Tried (Nothing Worked):

Fully uninstalled EA App and EA Anti-Cheat

Deleted EA folders from: C:\Program Files\EA C:\ProgramData\EA C:\Users\Acer\AppData\Local\EA C:\Users\Acer\AppData\Roaming\EA

Reinstalled EA App (latest version)

Reinstalled EA Anti-Cheat using the official tool

Verified game files in Steam

Ran system scans (sfc /scannow and DISM)

Tried launching from Gw2.Main.Win64_Retail.exe

Ran everything as Administrator

Tried on another PC (same problem)

Expected Result: Game launches normally through Steam and EA App with Anti-Cheat working.

Actual Result: EA App shows “Preparing Game”, then game splash screen appears and closes. Game never fully launches. EA Anti-Cheat appears broken.

System Info:

OS: Windows 11 Pro (Build 26100.4061)

Game: PvZ Garden Warfare 2 (Steam)

EA App: Latest version

Antivirus: Windows Defender

UAC/Admin: Yes

Tested on second machine: Yes, same error

Workaround: Rolling back to an older Windows build allows the game to work again. Please fix Anti-Cheat compatibility with newer Windows builds.

Request: Please escalate this issue. It seems like EA Anti-Cheat has compatibility problems with new Windows Insider builds. More players are experiencing this. A hotfix would be appreciated.

Help please.