Fix: ‘GetThreadContext Failed’ in MTG Arena

The MTG Arena game may throw Get Thread Context Failed error due to the restrictions imposed by your ISP or your antivirus. Moreover, conflicting applications (like Faceit) or corrupt installation of the game may also cause the error under discussion.

The affected user encounters the error when he tries to update the MTG Arena client and the client crashes. The issue is reported on Windows, Mac, Linux (in a VM), and the Steam version of the game. Some users encountered the error just after installing the game.

Before moving on with the troubleshooting process, restart your system/networking equipment and then check if the game is clear of the error.

Solution 1: Restart the Download of Updates

The issue could be caused by a temporary malfunction of the communication/application modules. In this context, restarting the download of the updates may solve the problem.

1. Exit the game (if you cannot, use Alt + F4 to close the game forcefully).
2. Then launch the game and restart the download and it will pick up where it left off.
3. If it again gets stuck in the download, repeat steps 1 and 2. You may have to repeat a few times to complete the download. Some users were able to complete the download nearly after 10 tries.

Solution 2: Try Another Network

ISPs apply different techniques and methods to control web traffic and safeguard its users. But in this process, ISPs sometimes block an essential resource for the operation of the MTG game and thus cause the issue at hand. In this scenario, trying another network may solve the problem.

1. Exit the game/launcher and disconnect your system from the current network.
2. Then connect your system to another network. If no other network is available, then you can opt to use the hotspot of your mobile but keep an eye on the size of the download. You can also try a VPN to bypass the ISP restrictions.
3. Now open the MTG Arena game to check if it is clear of the error.

Solution 3: Clean Boot Your System and Uninstall Faceit

Faceit is an anti-cheat application and used by many players/games. But this application can break the operation of the game and thus cause the issue at hand. In this context, uninstalling Faceit may solve the problem. For illustration, we will discuss the process for a Windows PC.

1. Exit the game/launcher.
2. Now clean boot your system to rule out interference of any 3^rd party program.
3. Now type Settings in the Windows Search box and then in the list of results, click on Settings.
   

   

4. Now click on Apps.

   

5. Now expand Faceit and then click on the Uninstall button.

   

6. Then wait for the completion of the uninstall process.
7. Now restart your system and upon restart, check if the MTG Arena is working fine.

Solution 4: Disable Single Output of Multi-GPUs (SLI and CrossFire)

Both Nvidia (SLI) and AMD (CrossFire) have their variants to produce single output from multi-GPUs. However, these technologies are known to conflict with MTG Arena and thus cause the issue under discussion. In this scenario, disabling this GPU feature may solve the problem.

For Nvidia SLI

1. Open Nvidia Control Panel and in the left pane of the window, expand 3D Settings.
2. Now click on Set SLI Configuration and then in the right pane of the window, check the option of Do Not Use SLI Technology.

   

For AMD CrossFire

1. Open AMD Control Panel and in the left pane of the window, expand the option of Performance.
2. Now click on AMD CrossFire and then in the right pane of the window, check the option of Disable AMD CrossFire.

   

After disabling the multi-GPU feature, launch the game and check if it operating fine.

Solution 5: Disable Data Execution Protection (DEP) Feature of Windows

DEP is a Windows security feature to protect Windows systems from damage by threats like viruses etc. While DEP is a very useful Windows feature, it can hinder the operation of the game and thus cause the issue under discussion. In this context, excluding the game from DEP or completely disabling DEP may solve the problem.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk as changing DEP settings may expose your system to threats like viruses, trojans, etc.

1. Exit MTG Arena and then make sure there is no process related to the game is running in the Task Manager of your system.
2. Now type Control Panel in the Windows Search box (on the Taskbar of your PC) and then in the results, click on Control Panel.

   

3. Now change the view to Large Icons.

   

4. Then open System.

   

5. Now in the left pane of the Window, click on Advanced System Settings.

   

   Then in the Advanced tab, click on Settings in the Performance section.

   

6. Now navigate to the Data Execution Prevention tab and then click on Turn on DEP for All Programs Except Those That I Select.

   

7. Now click on the Add button and then navigate to the installation directory of the game.
8. Then select the MTGAlauncher.exe file of the game and click on Open.
9. Then click on the Apply button in the Data Execution Prevention tab.
10. Now launch the MTG Arena game and check if it is clear of the error.
11. If not, then you may have to completely disable DEP.

Solution 6: Change the Antivirus and Firewall Settings

The antivirus and firewall applications play a vital role in the security of your system and data. You may encounter the error at hand if your antivirus/firewall applications are interfering in the operation of your game. In this scenario, allowing the game through the antivirus and firewall settings may solve the problem.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk as changing settings of your antivirus and firewall applications may expose your system to threats like trojans, viruses, etc.

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall. Also, check if any of the game-related files are in the quarantine settings of your antivirus/firewall, and if so, then restore those files to the original locations.

   

2. If you opt to add exceptions for the game, then add the whole installation folder of the game in the exceptions.
3. Then check if the MTG Arena game is clear of the error.
4. If not, then make the following changes to your antivirus/firewall settings (Reported by users to work).
5. For Avast: Open Settings and Navigate to the Troubleshooting. Then uncheck the option of Enable Hardware-Assisted Virtualization and restart your system.

   

6. For Kaspersky: Open Application Activity and in the monitored list, add the processes related to the game and Unity to Trusted.
7. For all other antivirus applications, revert settings of your antivirus to default.

   

8. Then check if MTG Arena is operating fine.
9. If not, then you may have to completely uninstall your antivirus product.

Solution 7: Reinstall the Game

If nothing has helped you so far, then the issue is caused by the corrupt installation of MTG Arena. In this case, reinstalling the game may solve the problem. For illustration, we will discuss the process for a Windows PC.

1. Exit MTG Arena and kill all of its related processes through the Task Manager.
2. Download and install the game (just install over existing installation). Then check if the problem is solved.
3. If not, type Control Panel in the Windows Search box (on the Taskbar of your PC), and in the list of results, click on Control Panel.
4. Then click on Uninstall a Program.
5. Now select MTG Arena and then click on Uninstall.

   

6. Then follow the prompts on your screen to complete the uninstallation of MTG Arena.
7. Now restart your system and upon restart, Open the File Explorer and delete the following Folders (if exist):

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\Wizards of the Coast
   
   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\MTG
   
   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\MTGA
   
   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Wizards of the Coast

8. Now type Registry Editor in the Windows Search box and then in the results displayed, right-click on Registry Editor and then click on Run as Administrator. (Warning: Proceed at your own risk as editing registry of your system requires a certain level of expertise and if done wrong, you may damage your system beyond repair).

   

9. Then navigate to the following path:

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node

10. Now delete the folder of Wizards of the Coast.
11. Then restart your system and upon restart, install the game and hopefully, the problem is solved.

If nothing has worked for you, then try to install an older version of the game.