Common problems and solutions. See also the FAQ and Beginners guide. If your issue isn’t listed, check GitHub issues and the forum.
Antivirus says Cheat Engine is a virus / trojan
Cheat Engine is often flagged as a “hacktool” or “potentially unwanted” because it can manipulate other processes and run scripts. The standard build is not malware.
What you can do:
Add an exception for the Cheat Engine folder (and installer) in your antivirus.
Temporarily disable real-time protection only during install, then re-enable and add an exception for the CE folder.
If the installer is deleted or blocked, download again and add the installer exe to exclusions before running it.
If the installer crashes, CE won’t start, or you see errors when opening a process, check the following:
Run as administrator: Right-click the CE executable → Run as administrator. Some operations need elevated rights.
Antivirus: Make sure CE (and its folder) is not being blocked or quarantined. See the antivirus section above.
Known issue (install/runtime): There is a known issue that affects some users; the CE team has documented a workaround. See: GitHub issue #2099. Trying the steps there or using the Patreon installer (if available) often resolves the problem.
I can’t attach to the game / “Access denied” or similar
If CE can’t open the process or you get access-related errors:
Run Cheat Engine as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).
Some games (or their launchers) use anti-cheat or protection that blocks memory tools. CE is not designed to bypass such protection and may not work with those titles.
Make sure you’re selecting the correct process (the game’s main .exe, not the launcher).
Scanner finds nothing or too many results
This is usually a scanning strategy issue, not a bug:
Use the correct value type (4 Bytes, Float, 8 Bytes, etc.). Try different types if you get 0 or millions of results.
If the value changes in a way you can’t type exactly, use “Unknown initial value” and then “Increased value” / “Decreased value” / “Changed value”.
Do several “Next Scan” steps while changing the value in the game to narrow down addresses.
See our Guides and the built-in CE tutorial for step-by-step scanning.
Installer offers extra software I don’t want
The default installer may include optional third-party software. You can decline those offers during setup. If you want an installer without these offers, you can:
Get the ad-free installer by supporting the project on Patreon (link provided to patrons).
Cheat table (.CT) or script doesn’t work after a game update
Game updates often change memory layout or code. Addresses and code patterns (AOBs) can break. This is expected. You need to update your table or script (find new addresses or AOBs), not necessarily update CE. The CE version doesn’t “fix” outdated game cheats.
Pointer scan crashes or runs forever
Pointer scans can use a lot of memory and disk. Use a smaller “Max level” (e.g. 3–5) first. Exclude very large regions if you know the value is in the main module. If it still crashes, the game may have too many pointers; try finding a different base or use a different approach (e.g. AOB + code injection).
Scan returns too many results and won’t narrow down
Make sure you’re using the exact value shown in the game and the correct value type. Try Float if 4 Bytes gives millions. Do several Next Scans in a row (change value in game each time). If the value is stored in an unusual way (e.g. multiplied), check the Wiki for “custom scan” or “value multiplied” tutorials.
Changing the value in CE doesn’t change it in the game
You may have found a copy of the value (e.g. for display) rather than the “real” value the game uses. Try other addresses from your scan list. Or the game may read the value only once at startup—in that case restart the game with CE attached and set the value before the game reads it. For health/damage, “Find what writes” and patching the code is often more reliable than just changing the address.
Mono / Dissect Mono menu is greyed out
Mono features only work when the target process uses Mono (e.g. Unity). Make sure you’ve attached to the correct process and the game has fully loaded. Some games load Mono late; try after reaching the main menu or in-game. If it’s still greyed out, the game may not use Mono or may use a custom build.
Lua script error when loading a table
The table may have been made with a different CE version or the script has a bug. Check the error message; often it’s a missing function or wrong syntax. Update CE to the latest version. If the table is from someone else, ask them for an updated version or disable the script and use the addresses only.
Game closes when I attach CE
The game may detect CE or another debugger and exit. Try attaching before the game’s anticheat loads (e.g. at the start). Some games close only when you scan; that’s harder to work around. Run CE as administrator. Check the forum for that specific game.
Address works once then stops after restart
Memory addresses change between runs. Use a pointer so your table finds the value every time. Do a pointer scan from the address you found, then rescan after restarting the game and add a valid pointer to your table.
First Scan returns zero results
The value might be stored as a different type (Float, 8 Bytes) or encrypted. Try Float or 8 Bytes. Use “Unknown initial value” then “Increased value” / “Decreased value” and do several Next Scans. See Scanning guide and Value types.
“Find what writes” never triggers
Make sure you’re on the address that the game actually writes to (not a display copy). Trigger the action in the game (e.g. take damage). If it still doesn’t trigger, the game may update the value in a different way (e.g. only on load). Try “Find what accesses” to see what reads the address.
Speedhack has no effect
Some games use their own timers or don’t rely on the APIs CE hooks. Speedhack won’t affect those. There’s no universal fix; try a different speed value or check the forum for that game.
Rescan pointerlist finds no valid pointers
The game’s memory layout may change a lot between runs. Try a pointer scan again from a fresh address in the new session. Use a smaller max level and reasonable max offset. Prefer pointers whose base is the main executable or a stable module.
CE window is blank or freezes when opening a process
Large processes can make CE slow. Wait a bit. If it stays frozen, close CE from Task Manager and try again. Run as administrator. Exclude CE from antivirus. If it happens only with one game, that game may be protecting itself from debuggers.
I can’t find the game in the process list
Make sure the game is running. Check “Show all processes” or similar if the list is filtered. The process name might be the launcher or a different .exe; look for the main game executable. Run CE as administrator so it can see all processes.
Frozen value doesn’t stay frozen in the game
The game might be writing from multiple places or using a copy for display. Try “Find what writes to this address” and patch the code instead. Or you may have frozen a wrong address; test other addresses from your scan list.
Auto Assembler script fails to enable
The AOB (array of bytes) in the script may no longer match the game after an update. Find the new bytes in the disassembler and update the script. Or the game may have multiple code paths; you might need a different injection point.
