RTSSHooks64.dll

What Is RTSSHooks64.dll?

RTSSHooks64.dll is a 64‑bit hooking / overlay library installed by RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), which is often bundled with tools like MSI Afterburner. It injects into 64‑bit processes to provide features such as:

• On‑screen display (OSD) of FPS, frame time, and hardware statistics
• Overlay graphs and monitoring information
• Framerate capping and frame limiting in some configurations

When RTSS is enabled, RTSSHooks64.dll is loaded into supported games and applications so RTSS can draw its overlay on top of them.

This DLL is not a Windows system file and is not part of DirectX or Visual C++ runtimes. It belongs to the RTSS overlay/monitoring tool and lives in its installation directory.

Typical Locations

By default, RTSSHooks64.dll is installed with RivaTuner Statistics Server in a path similar to:

• C:\Program Files (x86)\RivaTuner Statistics Server\RTSSHooks64.dll

If you installed RTSS into a custom folder, the DLL will follow that location.

You generally should not copy this file into Windows system folders like C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64. It is intended to remain alongside the RTSS executable and its other components.

How RTSSHooks64.dll Is Used

When RTSS is running and monitoring is enabled, it:

• Injects RTSSHooks64.dll into selected 64‑bit processes
• Hooks graphics APIs and window presentation routines
• Draws the on‑screen display with FPS and performance data

Because it hooks into other processes, it appears in crash logs and error reports whenever:

• The hooked application crashes
• The overlay conflicts with a game, application, or new Windows update
• RTSS itself is outdated or misconfigured

As a result, many crash logs list RTSSHooks64.dll as the “faulting module,” even if the underlying issue is a compatibility problem between RTSS and the target application.

Common Error and Crash Symptoms

Users report a variety of issues involving RTSSHooks64.dll, including:

• Games or applications crashing shortly after launch while RTSS is active
• Error dialogs citing RTSSHooks64.dll as the faulting module
• Messages such as:

• RTSSHooks64.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error
• Faulting module name: RTSSHooks64.dll

These usually point to:

• An outdated RTSS version conflicting with a new game or Windows build
• Corrupted RTSS files after an interrupted update
• Aggressive compatibility settings, overlays, or anti‑cheat conflicts

How To Fix RTSSHooks64.dll‑Related Crashes

1. Update RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS)

The most reliable fix is to ensure you are running the latest RTSS version compatible with your graphics drivers and Windows build.

1. Close RTSS and any dependent tools (such as MSI Afterburner).
2. Download the newest RTSS release from its official or vendor‑approved source.
3. Install over your existing copy, or clean‑install if recommended by the vendor.

New RTSS releases frequently include compatibility updates for recent games, APIs, and Windows builds.

2. Temporarily Disable the Overlay for Problematic Apps

If only certain games or applications crash while others work fine, try:

• Fully exiting RTSS (and its tray icon) and then launching the game or application.
• If it no longer crashes, re‑enable RTSS and:

• Turn off the on‑screen display for that specific application profile, or
• Add the executable to RTSS’s application detection level = None / Low so it does not inject.

This helps confirm whether the crash is directly related to the overlay hook.

3. Reinstall RTSS Cleanly

If the DLL or its configuration files are corrupted:

1. Uninstall RivaTuner Statistics Server from Windows.
2. Reboot if prompted.
3. Reinstall the latest RTSS version.

This replaces RTSSHooks64.dll and all related components with fresh copies.

4. Check Antivirus and Security Software

Because RTSSHooks64.dll injects into other processes, some security tools may treat it as suspicious.

• Open your antivirus or security suite.
• Check the Quarantine / Threat history section.
• Restore RTSSHooks64.dll or RTSS‑related files if they were quarantined by mistake.

You may also need to add the RTSS install folder to exclusions if the overlay is repeatedly flagged, provided you obtained RTSS from a trusted source.

5. Verify Conflicts with Other Overlays

Modern systems often run multiple overlays simultaneously, for example:

• Steam overlay
• NVIDIA / AMD overlays
• Discord, Xbox Game Bar, or other third‑party overlays

Multiple hooks into the same graphics pipeline can cause instability. Try disabling other overlays temporarily to see if the crashes stop when RTSS is the only active overlay (or vice versa).

Manual DLL Replacement

In most cases you do not need to manually replace RTSSHooks64.dll.

If you suspect the file is damaged and you cannot update normally:

• Reinstall RTSS from a verified installer.
• Avoid downloading standalone copies of RTSSHooks64.dll from unrelated sources.

Manual replacement from unknown locations can introduce mismatched or tampered DLLs and may worsen stability or security.

Security Notes

Because RTSSHooks64.dll injects into other processes and hooks graphics APIs, it can look suspicious from a security standpoint. When it comes from the official RTSS installation directory and installer, it is a legitimate component of a widely used monitoring tool.

However, if you find RTSSHooks64.dll in an unexpected location (for example, in a temporary folder or unrelated application directory):

• Treat it with caution.
• Check the file’s digital signature and properties.
• Scan it with your antivirus.

Summary

• RTSSHooks64.dll is a 64‑bit hooking and overlay DLL installed by RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS).
• It is used to inject performance overlays and monitoring into 64‑bit games and applications.
• Crashes referencing this DLL are usually caused by overlay conflicts, outdated RTSS versions, or corrupted RTSS installs, not by Windows itself.
• The best fixes are to update RTSS, disable the overlay for problematic apps, reinstall RTSS, and check antivirus/quarantine.
• Manual DLL replacement is rarely necessary and should only be done using files from a trusted RTSS installer.

If you need a specific version or variant of RTSSHooks64.dll, you can request it on the file page so it can be prioritized for analysis and upload.