As you’ll see below, this error has a huge variety of potential culprits, as there are a lot of potential conflicts that might cause the “Can’t open asio3.sys” error.
1. Unblock the zip file
One of the most popular reasons this issue occurs is because the .zip file that you download (containing software that uses the AsIO3.sys) is blocked. This issue is known to occur with older software builds – Until recently, every .zip file downloaded from the official ASUS support website was blocked. To fix this issue and get around the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys‘, you’ll need to access the Properties screen of the .zip file and unblock it before carrying on the installation. For specific instructions on how to do this, follow the steps below: If the problem is still not fixed, move to the next method below.
2. Grant yourself full permission for AsIO.sys (if applicable)
If the method above didn’t work for you and you already have installed ASUS drivers, the problematic AsIO.sys file is already installed on your PC. You might be experiencing this issue because the file doesn’t have full permission to jump into action when called by Windows Installer (during the installation of another ASUS software). Note This is typically confirmed to occur on systems with aggressive UAC (User Account Control) settings. To address this issue, go to C:\Windows\SysWOW64\drivers\AsIO.sys and give yourself permission through the security tab. This fix was confirmed to work by most users dealing with the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys‘ error. Important: This method is only applicable if you previously installed another ASUS software and the AsIO.sys supporting file is already installed on your PC. Here’s what you need to do: If you’re still seeing the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys’ error, try the next method below.
3. Perform SFC & DISM scans
If you’ve reached this point without a workable solution, you should check to see if a corrupted system file prevents you from installing ASUS software (and triggering the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys’ error). If you don’t want to use third-party tools, it would be smart to use a few of your operating system’s tools. (SFC and DISM). System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management are two built-in tools that can be used to fix corrupt system files that may stop your OS from utilizing Windows Install dependencies. System File Checker is the best place to start because it can be run without an internet connection. Follow these steps to deploy an SFC scan. Important: If the System File Checker scan window stops responding while running, DO NOT CLOSE THE WINDOW until the procedure is done. Note: System File Checker swaps out broken parts of system files with working ones by using a cache that is stored locally. This process shouldn’t be stopped until it’s done to avoid making more logical mistakes. Using an old HDD instead of a modern SSD could take an hour or more (depending on how fast your storage device can read and write). When the SFC scan is done, restart your computer to see if the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys’ error is fixed. If the problem is still there, deploy a DISM scan. Before you start this process, you should know that DISM uses a part of Windows Update to replace corrupted files with ones that aren’t corrupted. This means that your Internet connection needs to be stable. After the SFC and DISM checks, you should restart your computer to see if you’re still experiencing the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys’ error. If the problem keeps happening, move on to the next method below.
4. Install ASUS Armory Crate (if applicable)
Even if you’re not a fan of bloatware (we aren’t either), you should still consider installing the ASUS Armory Crate utility – it will most likely fix the issue automatically. Note: Armoury Crate is an integration app for gaming laptops and desktops in the ROG and TUF series. It combines different functions, such as the ROG Gaming Center from Gaming NB, the AEGIS III from Gaming DT, Lighting, and AURA Sync from AURA. Installing it serves our purpose of installing all the required dependencies (including the asio3.sys dependency). The only bad thing about this integration app is that it also installs some bloatware from ASUS. But for the most part, these are non-intrusive and won’t slow down your system. Follow the instructions below to download and install ASUS Armory Crate: Important: Only follow the instructions below if you are experiencing this issue on a ROG or TUF gaming laptop. If the problem is still not fixed, move down to the next method below where we explore a potential issue caused by Windows Update.
5. Uninstall the latest Windows Security Update
This problem is also caused by a bad Windows security update that Microsoft released for Insider Previews and retail versions on some ASUS laptop models. If the “Can’t open AsIO3.sys” error started showing up after your operating system installed a security update, uninstalling it should fix the problem for you. Follow the steps below to get rid of the latest Windows update: Important: You can hide the update and stop it from being installed again by following the extra instructions. If the problem is still not fixed, move to the next method below.
6. Install ASUS AI Suite addon (if applicable)
If you followed the method above to troubleshoot an issue caused by a bad windows update, let’s troubleshoot against a potential issue caused by ASUS AI Suite. If you have this tool installed on your PC, you might want to check if the tool has an available add-on waiting to be installed. Note: ASUS has released an add-on to tackle this issue for certain laptop models. This will be applied to your existing installation using the manual updating solution from ASUS. Remember that ASUS AI Suite doesn’t have a dynamic self-updating feature. If you want to ensure that they’re updated to the latest version, you’ll need to run the AsusSetup executable (which can be found inside the download folder) and follow the instructions to install every pending addon. Here’s what you need to do to install pending add-ons for your ASUS AI suite: If the problem is still not fixed or this method is not applicable, move down to the next method below.
7. Use System Restore to revert the installation of ASUS AI Suite
If this issue started after you updated your ASUS AI Suite version to the latest version, you might be able to revert to a version that doesn’t produce this behavior. Unfortunately, ASUS only has the latest build of ASUS AI Suite available on their official download website. Your only solution (unless you want to use a 3rd party service like Oldversion.com) is to use System Restore. Note: System Restore will allow you to revert your system to a previous state in time. By default, this utility is configured to automatically create new restore snapshots at important system events (such as installing a new update for an existing app). If you didn’t modify the default behavior of System Restore, you should have a restore snapshot created just before the installation of the ASUS AI Suite update. Follow the instructions below to use System Restore to revert ASUS AI Suite to a previous version: If the problem is still not fixed, move to the next method below.
8. Uninstall Armory Crate using a dedicated uninstaller
If you started experiencing this issue after installing or updating the Armory Crate utility from ASUS, you are not the only one affected by this issue. We’ve identified dozens of user reports experiencing the same Can’t open AsIO3.sys error due to a bad version of Armory Crate. To fix it, you’ll have to uninstall the utility. Important: If you install this suite conventionally (via Programs and Features), chances are you will still experience this issue. Our advice is to use the dedicated Armoury Crate uninstaller. Here’s how to uninstall Armory Crate using the dedicated uninstaller: If you’re still experiencing the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys error, move down to the next method below.
9. Enable AsusCertService
If you’re using an aggressive system optimizer suite, there’s a big chance that it ends up blocking the AsusCertService to improve the RAM usage of your PC. This might be the cause of why you are seeing the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys error when opening ASUS applications (because this important dependency is inaccessible). Fortunately, the fix for this particular issue is simple. You need to access your Service settings and ensure that AsusCertService service is enabled and configured to start at every system start. Here’s how to do this: If the problem is still not fixed, move down below.
10. Install the latest Lightning updates via Aura
Another potential cause that might cause this issue is a scenario in which one of your ASUS suites is missing the lightning updates. Note: This is a more recent dependency required nowadays by every proprietary software released by ASUS. The quickest way to ensure you have all the required lightning updates is to use Aura Sync to install them automatically. Remember that Aura Sync is now a part of Armoury Crate, but you can still install it individually. Follow the instructions below to carry out this procedure: If the problem is still not fixed, move to the next method below.
11. Disable Plugins in iCUE Settings (if applicable)
If you’re using the iCUE software to synchronize the RGB lighting on all your compatible devices, you should know that this software is known to conflict with the ASUS AI Suite and produce the ‘Can’t open AsIO3.sys’. Fortunately, you can fix this conflict easily by accessing your iCUE settings and unchecking the box associated with Enable plugins. After you do this, reboot your PC, and the issue should be fixed. If this scenario is not applicable, move to the next method below
12. Uninstall Asus Probe (if applicable)
ASUS Probe is the final 3rd party conflict known to produce this error. This is legacy software that ASUS no longer supports. Furthermore, it’s known to cause compatibility issues with many of the newer proprietary software from ASUS (ASUS AI Suite, Aura Sync, EZ Flash, etc.) Note that ASUS Probe doesn’t have any functionality that is not available on the flagship ASUS AI Suite, so you have no reason not to uninstall it if you still have it on your system. Follow the steps below to complete the installation: If the same problem is still occurring, move to the final fix below.
13. Perform a clean install or repair install
If none of the above fixes worked and you’re still getting the error “Can’t open AsIO3.sys – Failed with error code 5: Access is denied” after trying all of them, the only thing left to do is to refresh the kernel data along with every Windows file. Many users who said they had the same problem said it was fixed after they did a full system refresh. You can choose either a clean install or a repair install (in-place repair). The biggest problem with a clean installation is that you can’t save any of your data unless you first make a copy of everything (apps, games, personal media, etc.). This could take some time to do. But if you choose the repair install (in-place repair) method, you might be able to save your personal information (including applications, games, personal material, and even specific user preferences). But the process will take a little longer.
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