The marmot error is a gaming issue many players have encountered when trying to start Destiny 2 on Windows PCs or consoles. The message for this error says, “Problem reading game content. File verification may be required… search for error code: marmot.” Consequently, Destiny 2 doesn’t start when this error message pops up. Fortunately, resolving this issue is usually quite straightforward. This is how you can fix the Destiny 2 marmot error on a Windows 11/10 PC.
Verify the Destiny 2 Game Files
The error message and Bungie support advise players to verify the Destiny 2 game files. This is a potential resolution because the Destiny 2 marmot error often occurs because of corrupted games that running a verification scan will often repair. You can verify the Destiny 2 files by following the instructions on these Epic Games and Steam help pages.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Erase Almost Everything in the Destiny 2 Folder
If verifying game files doesn’t work, try erasing almost all the content in the Destiny 2 folder except the packages subfolder. Proceed to verify the Destiny 2 game after clearing its folder. Doing this forces a re-download of the game. This is how you should erase almost everything in the Destiny 2 folder.
- Start the Steam or Epic Games software.
- Activate File Explorer (click its pinned taskbar shortcut) and navigate to the Destiny 2 installation folder. The Steam path for that folder is: SteamLibrary > steamapps > common > Destiny 2.
- Hold the Ctrl key to select everything in the Destiny 2 folder except the packages subfolder.
The Destiny 2 folder
- Click Delete on Explorer’s Home tab or its command bar.
- Select to verify Destiny 2’s game files from Steam or Epic Games.
Select the Repair Option
If you’ve installed Destiny 2 via the Xbox app, you can select a Repair option for that game in Windows. This is the equivalent of a verify option for Destiny 2 outside of Steam and Epic Games. These are the steps for selecting the Repair option for the D2 game like this.
- Press the Windows logo button + S hotkey and input an Apps & features search phrase in the file finder box.
- Click Advanced options for Destiny 2 in the apps list. In Windows 11, click the ellipses (three-dot) button to select that option.
- Press Repair to fix the Destiny 2 app.
The Repair option for Destiny 2
Edit the DisableRootAutoUpdate DWORD
A few players confirm they’ve fixed the Destiny 2 Marmot error by editing the DisableRootAutoUpdate DWORD. Doing this prevents the BattleEye anti-cheat from blocking a steamclient64.dll file. This is how you edit the DisableRootAutoUpdate DWORD.
- Bring up the search tool, input regedit, and click the Registry Editor found.
- Go to this key location in the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot.
The AuthRoot registry key
- Double-click the DisableRootAutoUpdate DWORD.
- Select Hexadecimal and Input a 0 value for the DisableRootAutoUpdate DWORD.
The Edit DWORD window
- Click OK to set the value and exit the Edit DWORD window.
- Close the Registry Editor app and restart your laptop or desktop.
Reinstall Steam
To address any possible issues with the Steam app causing the Destiny 2 Marmot error, try reinstalling Valve’s gaming client. You will then need to download and reinstall Destiny 2 (and all other games installed with Steam) as well. This potential fix could work if there’s corrupted data in the Steam client folder.
The Programs and Features Control Panel applet
Valve’s support page includes instructions for uninstalling Steam. You can reinstall the software by clicking Install Steam on this webpage. Double-click the downloaded setup file for Steam to reinstall the software.
Those potential resolutions usually fix the Destiny 2 Marmort error on Windows 11/10 PCs. This issue is usually due to corrupted Destiny 2 game files, which applying resolutions one, two, three, or five will likely fix. However, try applying the fourth potential resolution for editing the registry if the other possible fixes don’t work for you.
