Fix: Ubisoft Connect “Disk Access Error”/”Disk Write Error”

The Ubisoft Connect disk error occurs when Ubisoft Connect can’t read or write game data during installations or updates. These issues often correlate with Ubisoft’s documented error codes, such as 17011 (low disk space) or 17017 (corrupted write paths). It usually appears as “Disk Error” or “Disk Access Error”. See the screenshot below for a typical example.

Common causes include:

• Corrupted Ubisoft Connect cache – often triggered by interrupted updates
• Low disk space – especially on the installation drive
• Windows Defender’s Controlled Folder Access blocking write access
• Missing admin privileges for Ubisoft Connect or Easy Anti-Cheat
• Real-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.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
   
2. Click the Power icon, then select Restart.
   
3. After the system reboots, launch Ubisoft Connect again.

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.

1. Right-click the Ubisoft Connect shortcut on your desktop and choose Properties.
2. On the Compatibility tab, enable “Run this program as an administrator.”
3. Click Apply, then OK.

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.

1. Launch Ubisoft Connect.
   
2. Open the Library tab.
3. Click the game’s (…) options menu and select Verify Files.
4. If corrupted files are detected, Ubisoft Connect will redownload them automatically.
5. When the process finishes, restart the game and check for the error.

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.

1. Open File Explorer, right-click your install drive (e.g., C:), then select Properties.
2. Check that 40–80 GB is free—more for very large games.
3. Use Add or Remove Programs or Disk Cleanup to delete unused apps and temporary data.

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.

1. Open Ubisoft Connect.
2. Go to the Library tab.
   
3. Locate the problematic game, open its (…) menu, and choose Uninstall.
   
4. Confirm by clicking Yes.
   
5. Next, switch to the Store tab, search for the game, and click Install.
   

If the problem still reappears after applying every fix, reach out to Ubisoft Support—persistent disk errors can point to underlying drive issues.