If you’ve been hit with the UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP error in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, you’re not alone. Season 2’s latest update has been sending PCs into meltdown mode even with complete PC crash thanks to BSOD error, and it looks like the culprit is Ricochet, Call of Duty’s kernel-level anti-cheat.
Although the official statement only talks about the problem appearing in the new Zombies map, The Tomb, but it’s not limited to that but even smashes the system in multiplayer and Warzone. However, there are a few good fixes you can try to get back in the game as shared by the community and what is working to overcome this error. But one of them involves temporarily disabling a security feature—so proceed with caution.
How to Fix Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap in Black Ops 6
Turn Off Core Isolation (Memory Integrity)
This has been the most consistent fix for the BSOD issue in Black Ops 6. It works, but it does come with a security trade-off and your PC will be at risk, I’ll not recommend you play with this. But it has worked for some so shared by them online; if it also does the job for you, disable it to play the game and then turn it on again when finish your gaming session.
Follow these steps to disable Core Isolation:
- Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
- Click Device Security from the left panel.
- Click Core Isolation Details.
- Toggle Memory Integrity OFF.
- Restart your PC.
Core Isolation protects Windows from threats by keeping some processes isolated. However, Black Ops 6’s updated Ricochet anti-cheat doesn’t seem to play nice with it, leading to a system crash. Turning it off lets the game run—at your own risk.
Remove EasyAntiCheat_EOS Directory
According to some players, another anti-cheat system (EasyAntiCheat, used in other games) is causing conflicts. Follow these steps to resolve this:
- Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EasyAntiCheat_EOS.
- Delete the entire folder.
- Restart your PC and launch the game.
It seems Ricochet and EasyAntiCheat aren’t compatible. Removing the specific directory prevents conflicts that could be causing the UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP error.
Underclock Your GPU
For reasons only Call of Duty’s developers can explain, the game pushes GPUs beyond their normal operating speeds. If your graphics card is running hotter and harder than it should, reducing its clock speed can prevent system crashes.
- For NVIDIA: Open GeForce Experience or MSI Afterburner and reduce the GPU boost clock by about 200 MHz.
- For AMD: Open Adrenaline Software. Go to the Performance tab and under Tuning, lower the Max Boost Clock by 200 MHz.
For some reason, BO6 pushes GPUs to higher-than-expected clock speeds, which causes instability or full system shutdowns. Underclocking reduces stress on the GPU and stabilizes performance.
Run the Game in Windowed Mode
Running the game in Windowed Mode instead of Fullscreen is another method that can help to avoid such errors.
- Launch Black Ops 6.
- When the game is launching on the loading screen, press Alt + Enter to switch to Windowed Mode.
- If the game runs without crashing, go to Settings > Graphics and adjust the display mode.
Scan and Repair Game Files
If something goes wrong during the update, it will result in a corrupted game file. Thankfully, both Steam and Battle.net allow you to scan and repair game files automatically.
- Steam Users:
- Open Steam.
- Right-click Black Ops 6 in your Steam library.
- Select Properties > Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files and wait for it to finish.
- Battle.net Users:
- Open Battle.net.
- Select Black Ops 6 from your game list.
- Click the Settings ⚙️ icon next to “Play“.
- Select Scan and Repair and let it run.
If a recent update introduced corrupted files, this scan will replace them with fresh ones.
- Related: How to Weapon Inspect in Black Ops 6
If your PC is crashing harder than your K/D ratio, one of these fixes should work for you to enjoy what fresh Season 2 of Black Ops 6 has provided including the new The Tomb for zombie slaying. That said, the real fix needs to come from Activision. If you’re hesitant about turning off security features like Memory Integrity, keep an eye out for official patches. Until then, good luck, and may your PC stay BSOD-free.
