Protection Failed Error Code 4 X360ce 2021 Free | Self

Here’s a post you can use or adapt for forums, social media, or a support ticket regarding the "Self Protection Failed Error Code 4" in x360ce (2021 version).

Title: Fix for "Self Protection Failed Error Code 4" in x360ce 2021

Body:

I ran into the "Self Protection Failed Error Code 4" while trying to use x360ce (2021) today. The error usually appears when x360ce tries to apply its DLL files to a game, but something blocks it. self protection failed error code 4 x360ce 2021

After some troubleshooting, here’s what worked for me. Try these steps in order:

Step 7: Reset x360ce Emulator Settings

• Reset the x360ce emulator settings to their default values.
• This can help resolve any configuration issues that may be causing the error.

Step 5: Run the x360ce Emulator as Administrator

• Right-click on the x360ce emulator executable and select "Run as administrator."
• This can help resolve any permission issues that may be causing the error.

Fixing the "Self Protection Failed Error Code 4" in x360ce (2021 & Beyond)

If you are trying to use x360ce (the popular Xbox 360 controller emulator) to make your non-standard gamepad work in modern PC games, you have likely encountered a frustrating roadblock. You set everything up, run the application as Administrator, and suddenly—a red error message appears:

"Self Protection Failed. Error Code: 4"

This error, notorious among users since 2021, can turn a simple controller setup into a tech nightmare. Why does this happen? Is your antivirus blocking it? Is your controller broken? Is the file corrupted?

This article will dissect Error Code 4 in detail, explain why it happens (specifically on Windows 10 and 11 post-2021 updates), and provide a step-by-step guide to eliminate it forever.

3. Permanently Allow Driver Installation

Option A – Disable Defender’s driver blocking (Recommended temporarily) Here’s a post you can use or adapt

• Go to Windows Security → Device Security → Core isolation → Turn OFF Memory integrity (then restart)

Option B – Disable antivirus temporarily

• Pause real-time protection in Windows Defender or your third-party AV

4) Remove conflicts with other input layers

• Close Steam (or at least disable Steam Input for the game), DS4Windows, InputMapper, BetterJoy, etc. These apps can hook controller APIs or inject DLLs and cause x360ce’s protection to fail.
• Relaunch only x360ce and test. If it works, reintroduce other apps one at a time to identify the conflict.

Solution 2: Run x360ce as Administrator

1. Right-click on the x360ce executable file (x360ce.exe).
2. Select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.

2. Disable Real-Time Protection Temporarily

Windows Defender can block DLL injection:

• Go to Windows Security → Virus & threat protection
• Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings
• Turn off Real-time protection (just while setting up x360ce)
• Run x360ce again, then re-enable protection

Solution 1: Update x360ce to the Latest Version

1. Download the latest version of x360ce from the official website.
2. Uninstall the current version of x360ce from your system.
3. Install the latest version of x360ce.