If you’re an avid gamer enjoying popular titles like Rust, Apex Legends, or Fortnite, there’s a chance you’ve encountered a frustrating pop-up that says: “Please close Interception and restart the game.” This cryptic message can stop you from playing, and many players are unsure what it means or how to get rid of it.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what the Interception driver is, why it triggers errors in these games, and most importantly—how to fix it for good.
What Is the Interception Driver?
The Interception driver is a low-level keyboard and mouse input library for Windows. It’s typically used by developers and advanced users to remap input devices or create custom scripts—especially for applications like automation, game modding, or cheat tools.
While Interception itself is not inherently malicious, it can be flagged by anti-cheat systems used by games like Rust, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. These systems often consider any external input manipulation as suspicious behavior.
If your system has the Interception driver installed—either knowingly or unknowingly—you’re likely to receive the “Please close Interception” error when launching these games.
Why Games Detect and Block Interception
Games like Rust, Apex Legends, and Fortnite employ anti-cheat mechanisms such as Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), BattlEye, or Vanguard. These tools are designed to block any external software that might give players an unfair advantage.
The Interception driver gives users deeper control over input devices than Windows typically allows. This capability can be exploited for things like:
- Auto-aim (aimbots)
- Macro-assisted rapid fire
- Input smoothing for reduced recoil
- Automated movement or farming scripts
Even if you’re using it for benign purposes like customizing keyboard input or fixing hardware issues, anti-cheat systems won’t differentiate your intent.
To ensure a level playing field, the game simply refuses to launch until Interception is uninstalled or disabled.
How to Check If Interception Is Installed
Before proceeding, you should verify whether the Interception driver is installed on your PC.
Method 1: Use CMD to Check
- Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
- Type the following command: arduinoCopyEdit
pnputil /enum-drivers - Scroll through the list. If you see an entry related to interception.inf, the driver is installed.
Method 2: Use File Explorer
Navigate to this path:
makefileCopyEditC:\Windows\System32\drivers
Look for a file named keyboard.sys or interception.sys.
How to Remove the Interception Driver
Method 1: Use the Uninstall Script (If Available)
If you originally installed the Interception driver using its SDK, there may be an uninstall script provided.
- Go to the folder where you extracted or installed the Interception SDK.
- Locate and run: CopyEdit
uninstall-interception.exe
Follow the prompts to remove the driver.
Method 2: Manually Remove Interception Using Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run the following command: bashCopyEdit
pnputil /delete-driver oem##.inf /uninstallReplaceoem##.infwith the actual name of the interception driver file you found earlier (e.g.,oem45.inf). - Reboot your computer.
Additional Fixes If You’re Still Getting the Error
Sometimes, traces of the Interception driver remain even after uninstalling. Here’s what else you can try:
1. Delete the Driver File Manually
- Go to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers - Delete interception.sys if it’s still there
- Reboot your PC
2. Clean Registry Entries (Advanced)
⚠️ Be careful when editing the registry. Make a backup first.
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to: sqlCopyEdit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services - Look for any folders named interception or similar.
- Right-click and delete them.
- Restart your PC.
3. Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If the error persists even after removing the Interception driver, a clean install of the game can help. Make sure to delete any leftover files in the game’s directory before reinstalling.
Preventing Future Issues
Once you’ve removed Interception, you can prevent this error from coming back by:
- Avoiding third-party macro or input tools
- Not reinstalling the Interception SDK or any tools that depend on it
- Ensuring any hardware tuning software is safe and game-compliant
If you need functionality similar to Interception, consider official tools like:
- AutoHotKey (for simple key remapping, though some games may still flag it)
- Microsoft PowerToys (for remapping keys within Windows only)
- Gaming peripheral software like Logitech G Hub or Razer Synapse (generally safe if used within limits)
FAQs
Q: Can I use Interception safely in single-player games?
Yes, technically you can. But once it’s installed, it might interfere with any multiplayer games that use strict anti-cheat tools—even if you’re not using it during those sessions.
Q: I never installed Interception—why is it on my system?
You might have installed a tool or macro utility that bundled the driver silently. It’s common with advanced mouse/keyboard macros or cheat tools downloaded from unofficial sources.
Q: Is Interception a virus?
No, Interception is a legitimate open-source project. However, due to its powerful capabilities, it’s commonly flagged by anti-cheat systems and some antivirus programs.
Q: Can I just disable it temporarily?
Not reliably. Anti-cheat tools check for the presence of the driver in the system—even if it’s inactive. The best solution is a full removal.
Conclusion
The “Please close Interception” error in Rust, Apex Legends, and Fortnite is a security measure meant to protect fair gameplay. While the Interception driver isn’t malware, its ability to alter input signals makes it incompatible with modern anti-cheat systems.
Fortunately, resolving the error is straightforward: identify if Interception is installed, remove it using one of the methods above, and reboot your system. Once removed, your games should launch without issue.
Always be cautious about what software you install, especially if it interacts with input devices. Stick to reputable tools and check compatibility with games before installing anything new.