How to Fix Error Code FHE01 in Forza Horizon 6

Forza Horizon 6 error code FHE01 is a startup crash on PC that shows the message “Has Hit an Unexpected Error” and closes the game. It is almost always caused by something on your system conflicting with the game’s startup process — not a permanent bug. The most common causes are Citrix Workspace, USB controller conflicts, overlay software, and corrupted game files. Work through the fixes below in order and most players are back in the game within minutes.

TL;DR

• FHE01 is a PC startup crash, not a server issue.
• Uninstalling Citrix Workspace fixes it for a large number of players.
• Disconnecting controllers and USB peripherals before launch is the next most reported fix.
• Disabling Steam Input in game Properties also resolves it for many Steam users.
• Verify game files and update GPU drivers if software conflicts are not the cause.
• Uninstalling Overwolf, MSI Afterburner, or RTSS fixes it when nothing else works.

What Is Error Code FHE01 in Forza Horizon 6?

The FHE01 crash hits Forza Horizon 6 players on PC right as the game tries to start. You launch from Steam, the Xbox app, the Microsoft Store, or PC Game Pass, see a brief splash screen, and then the title closes with the message “Forza Horizon 6 has hit an unexpected error.” The code often appears with a context number, such as FHE01, Context: 190000.

The Forza Horizon 6 FHE01 error is a startup crash that is typically caused by software conflicts such as Citrix Workspace or remote desktop tools, corrupted game files, or problematic peripheral drivers. It may feel random, but in most cases it comes from a specific system conflict rather than the game itself.

This error affects both Steam and Microsoft Store versions of the game. It is a PC-side issue only — console players on Xbox do not see it.

If you are still setting up the game, check the PC requirements guide to confirm your system meets the minimum spec. For general in-game settings optimisation once you are past the launch crash, the best settings guide covers everything.

Fix 1 – Uninstall or Disable Citrix Workspace

This is the single most reported working fix for FHE01. The Citrix Workspace app uses kernel-level application monitoring for security. The Forza anti-cheat recognises this behaviour as a security breach, preventing the game from launching.

To fix it:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps, then Installed Apps or Apps & Features.
3. Find Citrix Workspace and uninstall it.
4. Restart your PC and launch Forza Horizon 6.

If you need Citrix for work and cannot uninstall it: type msconfig in the Windows search bar, open System Configuration, go to the Services tab, and uncheck the Citrix AppProtection Service. Apply the change and restart your PC.

A Citrix update was later released that appeared to resolve the conflict for some players. If you previously removed Citrix and need it back, update Citrix first and test whether the game launches before uninstalling again.

Fix 2 – Disconnect Controllers and USB Peripherals

Many users report that hardware conflicts cause Forza Horizon 6 to crash on launch, triggering FHE01 specifically. Temporarily disconnect your racing wheel, pedals, shifter, secondary controllers, and any unnecessary USB devices except your primary mouse and keyboard.

This includes sim racing equipment. Racing wheels, pedals, shifters, and spare controllers can all cause the game to fail during device initialisation and throw FHE01. Unplug everything except your mouse and keyboard, then start Forza Horizon 6. Once you reach free roam, plug your wheel or controller back in and confirm the game keeps running.

If you use a Steam Controller specifically: installing the Xbox Extended Feature Support Driver has worked for Steam Controller users. Find it in Steam, then Settings, then Controller, then Advanced Settings.

Fix 3 – Disable Steam Input for Forza Horizon 6

This fix is for Steam users running a non-Xbox controller or a third-party input remapper like DS4Windows or reWASD.

The clearest pattern behind FHE01 is two pieces of software fighting over one controller. If you use a DualShock 4 with DS4Windows, or any third-party input remapper, both that tool and Steam Input can try to read the pad at once, and the game crashes on launch.

To disable Steam Input for FH6:

1. Open your Steam Library and right-click Forza Horizon 6.
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Controller tab.
4. Set the dropdown to Disable Steam Input for this game.
5. Close Properties and launch the game.

Close DS4Windows or reWASD before launching if you use either of those tools. Only one input handler should be active at a time.

Fix 4 – Verify Integrity of Game Files

A single damaged or missing file can produce FHE01, especially after a first install, an interrupted download, or a previous crash. Repairing the install replaces the broken file without wiping your progress.

On Steam:

1. Open your Steam Library.
2. Right-click Forza Horizon 6 and select Properties.
3. Go to Installed Files.
4. Click Verify integrity of game files and wait for the scan to finish.
5. Launch the game once the check completes.

On Xbox App / Microsoft Store:

1. Open the Xbox App and go to My Library.
2. Select Forza Horizon 6 and click the three-dot menu (…) next to the Play button.
3. Choose Manage, then look for the option to verify or repair game files.
4. Wait for the process to complete and relaunch the game.

Fix 5 – Disable Overlay and Monitoring Software

Some overlays, hardware monitoring tools, and background applications can interfere with game launches or trigger instability. Programs commonly reported include MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS).

Close or disable all of these before launching FH6:

• MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) — right-click the tray icon and exit completely.
• Discord overlay — go to Discord Settings, then Overlay, and disable the in-game overlay.
• GeForce Experience overlay — open GeForce Experience, go to Settings, and turn off the In-Game Overlay toggle.
• Steam overlay — in Steam go to Settings, then In-Game, and uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay.
• Overwolf — uninstalling Overwolf has solved FHE01 for players even when reinstalling the game itself had no effect. Right-click the Overwolf icon in the system tray and select Exit, then uninstall it through Windows Settings under Apps.

Fix 6 – Run the Game as Administrator

Windows permission restrictions can prevent FH6 from accessing vital system storage files, resulting in an instant crash to the desktop upon booting.

To run as administrator:

1. Navigate to the Forza Horizon 6 installation folder. On Steam, right-click the game in your Library, choose Manage, then Browse Local Files.
2. Right-click ForzaHorizon6.exe and select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click OK and relaunch the game.

Fix 7 – Update or Clean Install GPU Drivers

Outdated or unstable GPU drivers can cause launch instability or startup crashes. Perform a clean install of the latest NVIDIA Game Ready Driver or AMD Adrenalin Driver. Avoid upgrading over old driver profiles without cleaning previous versions, as a clean driver install helps eliminate hidden conflicts that can prevent the game from launching properly.

Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in safe mode to fully remove old drivers before installing fresh ones. This is especially worth doing if your driver was recently updated just before FHE01 started appearing.

Fix 8 – Disable CPU and GPU Overclocking

If your CPU or GPU is overclocked, return all settings to default values and test the game again. A lot of FHE01 reports are linked to unstable overclocks, particularly on systems that appear stable in other games but crash in Forza Horizon 6.

Reset clocks to stock in your BIOS or through your overclocking software, then retest. If the game launches cleanly at stock, your overclock was too aggressive for FH6’s engine. Dial it back slightly and test again until you find a stable configuration.

Fix 9 – Restart Your PC and Launch the Game First

It sounds basic, but it works more often than expected. After rebooting, launch the game immediately before opening other apps. This is one of the most consistently reported working fixes from players.

A clean boot prevents background apps from loading at all. To do a clean boot, type msconfig in the Windows search bar, go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and disable everything that remains. Restart, then launch FH6.

Fix 10 – Check Event Viewer for the Exact Cause

If none of the above fixes have worked, Event Viewer can tell you exactly what crashed. Press Windows + R, type Event Viewer, then navigate to Windows Logs and Application. Crash entries can reveal the exact file, module, or driver responsible for the failure.

Look for red error entries that match the time of your FHE01 crash. The module or DLL named in the log will point you directly at what is conflicting with the game.

Fix 11 – Reinstall Forza Horizon 6

This is the last resort. A full reinstall eliminates any hidden file corruption that the verification tool may have missed. Uninstall the game through Steam or the Xbox App, restart your PC, and download a fresh copy. Your save data is stored in the cloud, so progress is not lost.

Note that reinstalling without fixing the underlying conflict — Citrix, a controller issue, an overlay — will not resolve FHE01 on its own. Only use this step after working through the other fixes first.

Summary – Quickest Fixes to Try First

• Uninstall Citrix Workspace and restart.
• Disconnect all controllers, wheels, and extra USB devices before launching.
• Disable Steam Input for Forza Horizon 6 in Steam Properties.
• Close MSI Afterburner, RTSS, Discord overlay, and Overwolf.
• Verify game file integrity through Steam or Xbox App.
• Clean install your GPU drivers.
• Reset overclocks to stock.

Once you are past the launch crash and back in the game, these guides will help you get started:

• Beginner’s Guide – Tourist to Legend Progression
• Best Settings Guide
• Best Starter Cars to Buy First
• How to Get XP and Level Up Fast
• Horizon Promo Share Codes Guide

Forza Horizon 6 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and PlayStation. More details at forza.net and the Xbox store page.