Common causes include:
Corrupted Ubisoft Connect cache – often triggered by interrupted updatesLow disk space – especially on the installation driveWindows Defender’s Controlled Folder Access blocking write accessMissing admin privileges for Ubisoft Connect or Easy Anti-CheatReal-time antivirus interference from apps like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes
Less commonly (roughly 5 % of cases), a failing drive or bad sector can repeatedly cause disk access errors. If problems continue after clearing the cache and verifying game files, run a SMART diagnostic or a CHKDSK scan. Below, we’ll walk through quick and advanced fixes for each cause.
1. Perform a System Reboot
Sometimes a simple restart resolves the issue by clearing temporary files, releasing locked system handles, and restarting background services that Ubisoft Connect relies on.
2. Run Ubisoft Connect as an Admin
Running Ubisoft Connect with administrator privileges ensures it can access protected directories such as Program Files and anti-cheat folders. Without admin rights, patches may fail or save data may not be written correctly—especially if Windows User Account Control (UAC) or security software is restricting background processes.
3. Verify Game Files
File verification compares your local installation with Ubisoft’s servers and repairs any corrupted or missing files. Your progress and settings remain intact, while only damaged program files are replaced.
4. Free Up Disk Space
Ubisoft Connect can trigger write errors like Error 17011 when there isn’t enough room for updates or temporary files. Aim to keep at least twice the game’s size free to allow for patching, decompression, and caching. You can check a title’s size under Library → Game Details.
5. Clean Reinstall the Game
Reinstalling can fix persistent issues caused by damaged or missing files, but you must back up your saves first. ⚠️ Important: Always back up your save files before uninstalling. Some older Ubisoft titles do not support cloud saves, so progress can be lost if it isn’t preserved manually. If the problem still reappears after applying every fix, reach out to Ubisoft Support—persistent disk errors can point to underlying drive issues.
