What are you using (PS4, PS5, old Logitech, etc.)? What antivirus program do you have installed?
Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software flags x360ce's process injection behavior as suspicious.
Windows sometimes restricts downloaded files from executing specific scripts if they originate from an external source. Right-click on the file and select Properties . Stay on the General tab.
"Self protection failed error code 4" is a common hurdle, but it's far from a dead end. By following these steps, you'll not only get your controller working again but also gain a better understanding of how these tools interact with your system. Good luck, and happy gaming self protection failed error code 4 x360ce 2021
You now have a complete toolbox to defeat this error. To summarize, here's a quick checklist:
If the error persists, your Antivirus might be "protecting" the system by killing the x360ce process. Go to . Select Manage settings and scroll down to Exclusions .
Download the latest installer (which covers architectures from 2015 to the present). What are you using (PS4, PS5, old Logitech, etc
: Running the emulator in a folder containing other proxy loaders (like MelonLoader ) can trigger this error. Permission Issues
If all else fails, the beta nature of version 4.x might be the issue. The older, more stable version 3.x works differently (using .dll files in the game folder) and can be a reliable fallback.
Go to , then click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings . "Self protection failed error code 4" is a
The second solution involved permission management. As the error was often triggered by read/write access denials, running both the x360ce configuration tool and the target game as "Administrator" became a prerequisite. This elevated the software's permissions, allowing it to bypass certain Windows User Account Control (UAC) restrictions that were blocking the memory hook.
Search for in Windows search. Click Restart now under "Advanced startup".
If you have tried the steps above and the 2021 version of x360ce still throws Error Code 4, consider these alternatives: