Windows Defender, McAfee, Norton, or any real-time AV will often lock files during extraction, causing error -14.
For Windows Defender:
For third-party AVs: Right-click the system tray icon → Disable until next restart.
Important: Disconnect from the internet while the AV is off. Re-enable after a successful installation.
Try these solutions in order. Fix #2 solves 80% of cases.
Some repack installers use outdated DLLs. Download latest unarc.dll and isdone.dll from a trusted source (e.g., DLL-files.com). Place them in:
Laptops aggressively downclock the CPU to save power. A sudden drop in CPU frequency during decompression can cause a timing mismatch and Error -14.
✅ Run as Administrator
✅ Disable Antivirus & Windows Defender
✅ Increase Virtual Memory to 16GB
✅ Convert destination drive to NTFS
✅ Clear %TEMP% and free up space
✅ Install in Safe Mode
✅ Change install path to C:\Games\
✅ Re-download if checksum mismatch
"Unarc.dll returned an error code -14" is almost never a permanent problem. In 95% of cases, it is caused by antivirus overreach or unstable RAM (XMP) .
Do not delete your download. Do not rage-quit. Work through the fixes above from #1 to #5, and you will almost certainly have your game installed within 20 minutes. how to fix unarcdll returned an error code14 upd
If absolutely nothing works, the repack group (FitGirl, DODI, etc.) usually has a support thread. Post your system specs (CPU, RAM, Windows version) and mention you tried disabling AV and increasing pagefile.
Happy gaming!
The unarc.dll error code 14 typically occurs during the installation or update of large, highly compressed software (like game repacks) when the decompression process fails. This failure is often tied to system resource mismatches, corrupted files, or hardware instability. Core Technical Fixes
Limit CPU Usage (The "High-End CPU" Fix): Modern high-core-count CPUs can sometimes outpace the decompression library, leading to crashes.
Press Win + R, type msconfig, and go to Boot > Advanced Options.
Check "Number of processors" and set it to a lower value (e.g., 6 or 8) before restarting to try the update again.
Alternatively, set your Windows Power Plan to "Balanced" or limit the "Maximum processor state" to 99% in advanced power settings.
Increase Virtual Memory (Page File): Decompression is RAM-intensive. If your physical RAM is full, increasing virtual memory can prevent the crash.
Navigate to System > About > Advanced system settings > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory. Windows Defender, McAfee, Norton, or any real-time AV
Manually set a larger "Maximum size" (e.g., 10000MB or more).
Update Runtime Libraries: Ensure you have the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (both x86 and x64 versions) installed, as unarc.dll relies on these for execution.
Max was only ten minutes away from playing the game he’d been eyeing for months. The progress bar was at 98%. Then, the screen flickered, and a cold, grey box appeared: "ISDone.dll / Unarc.dll returned an error code: -14"
The installation didn't just stop; it died. Max knew this wasn't a simple "try again" situation. This was a puzzle. Here is how he solved it. 🛠 Step 1: The Memory Check
Max knew "Error 14" usually meant the computer’s brain—the RAM—was tripping over its own feet.
The Fix: He closed every single background app. Chrome tabs, Spotify, and Discord had to go.
The Deep Dive: He ran Windows Memory Diagnostic to make sure a RAM stick wasn't actually dying. 🛡 Step 2: Disarming the Guards
Sometimes, Windows Defender or an Antivirus thinks a game file is a threat. It "quarantines" a piece of the puzzle, and the Unarc.dll can’t finish the picture. The Fix: Max temporarily disabled his Real-time protection.
The Pro Tip: He also added the installation folder to the "Exclusions" list so the antivirus would ignore it. 📁 Step 3: Clearing the Path For third-party AVs: Right-click the system tray icon
Max realized the "Temp" folder was cluttered with digital junk from old installs, causing a traffic jam.
The Fix: He hit Win + R, typed %temp%, and deleted everything inside.
The Result: A clean slate for the installer to write new files. 💾 Step 4: The Virtual Boost
If the physical RAM is full, Windows uses the Hard Drive as "Virtual Memory." Max’s was set too low.
The Fix: He went to Advanced System Settings > Performance > Virtual Memory.
The Adjustment: He manually set a "Custom Size" (usually 1.5x his total RAM) to give the installer more breathing room.
💡 The Ending: Max restarted his PC, ran the installer as Administrator, and watched the bar hit 100%. The error was gone. To help you get this fixed quickly, could you tell me: How much RAM does your PC have? Is your hard drive almost full?
Are you using a repack (like FitGirl or DODI) or an official launcher?
I can give you the exact Virtual Memory numbers to plug in if you're stuck! AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
This error usually means extracted files are corrupted, archive RAR/ZIP is incomplete, or system/library conflicts (memory, disk errors, bad temp path, antivirus). Follow these steps in order until the problem is resolved.