Fix: Uplay Failed to Synchronize Achievements

Your Uplay client may fail to synchronize achievements due to blockage by the antivirus/firewall applications. Moreover, corrupt game files of the problematic game or invalid Hosts file entries related to Uplay can also cause the error at hand.

When the affected user launches the game, a message appears saying “Failed to Synchronize Achievements” which the user can skip. This issue can occur on both the PC version and the Steam version. Also, it is not limited to a single game i.e. it can occur on Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, etc. Some users faced it after installing the game, whereas other users encountered it after playing the game for a long time.

Before proceeding with the troubleshooting process, check if Uplay servers are up and running. Also, make sure you are using an updated version of the Uplay client.

Solution 1: Reinitializing Online Status of Uplay Client

A communication/software glitch between the Uplay server and the PC client can cause the error under discussion. The issue could be solved by switching the Uplay client to offline mode and then reverting to the online mode.

1. Launch the Uplay client and click on the Menu button (near the top left).
2. Now click on Go Offline and wait for few minutes.

   

3. Then Go Online (you may have to enter your username and password) and check if the problem is solved.

   

Solution 2: Close the Uplay-Related Processes through the Task Manager

The issue could be caused by a stuck Uplay process which can be rectified by the simple yet effective solution of killing all the Uplay-related processes and then launching it again.

1. Right-click on the Windows button and then in the menu shown, click on Task Manager.

   

2. Now select a process related to Uplay/Ubisoft and then click on End Task. Repeat the same process for all the processes related to Uplay/Ubisoft. If you are using the Steam version, then kill all the processes related to Steam as well.
3. Then launch Uplay/Ubisoft and check if it is clear of the error.
4. If not, then restart your PC and check if Uplay is working fine.

Solution 3: Allow Uplay in Firewall

Your antivirus/firewall applications play a pivotal role in the security of your system and data. You may encounter the error under discussion if your antivirus/firewall application is blocking any of the essential files or services related to Uplay. In this scenario, allowing Uplay related files/processes/services may solve the problem. You can opt to temporarily disable your antivirus or turn off your firewall to check if these applications are creating the issue.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk as allowing applications through the antivirus and firewall settings (or temporary disabling your antivirus/firewall) may expose your system to threats like viruses, trojans, etc.

1. Close Uplay client (as discussed in solution 2).
2. Temporarily disable your antivirus or turn off your firewall. Then launch Uplay client to check if it is working fine.  You can also opt to add exceptions for Uplay files in the antivirus/firewall settings.

   

3. Afterward, do not forget to turn back on your antivirus/firewall applications.

Solution 4: Remove Uplay-Related Entries From the Hosts File of Your System

The Hosts file is used to map the IP addresses of different domains. It can be used to block access to different websites by using a wrong or local IP address. You may encounter the error under discussion if the IP address mapping to Uplay is not properly configured. In this context, removing the Uplay entries from the Hosts file may solve the problem.

1. Close the Uplay client and kill all the related processes through the Task Manager (as discussed in solution 2).
2. Open the File Explorer of your system and navigate to the following path of Hosts file:

   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

3. Now backup the Hosts file to a safe location (just in case…).
4. Click on the Windows Search bar (on Taskbar) and then type Notepad. Then in the list of the search results, right-click on Notepad and click on Run as Administrator.

   

5. Now, click on the File menu and then in the menu shown, click on Open.

   

6. Then, navigate to the following path:

   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

7. Now change the file type from Text Document to All Files.

   

8. Then select Hosts file and click on Open.

   

9. Now, check if there any entries related to Uplay/Ubisoft in the file. If so, delete all the entries related to Uplay/Ubisoft and close the Hosts file after saving your changes.
10. Then launch the Uplay client and check if it is operating fine.

Solution 5: Restart Your Router and Change Port of the USB Router

The issue could be a temporary glitch of your router or a PC/USB router port issue. In this context, a simple restart of your router and changing the port of your USB router may solve the problem.

1. Close Uplay and kill all of its related processes through the Task Manager (as discussed in solution 2).
2. Power off your USB router and unplug it from the USB port of your system.
3. Wait for 1 minute and power on your router.
4. Then plug back the USB router to another USB port of your system.
5. Now, launch Uplay and check if it is operating fine.

Solution 6: Delete the Spool File and Launcher Folder of Uplay Client

There are some files and folders related to Uplay that are essential for the operation of the application. You may encounter the error at hand if the files/folders related to Uplay client are corrupt. In this context, deleting these files or folders (do not worry, files/folders will be recreated on the next launch of the application) may solve the problem.

1. Close Uplay client and kill all of its related processes through the Task Manager (as discussed in solution 2).
2. Open the File Explorer of your system and navigate to the following path of the Spool file:

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Ubisoft Game Launcher\Spool

3. Now open the folder (which have a lot of number and letters in its name) and backup the .spool file. Then delete the .spool file.

   

4. Now launch the Uplay and check if it is clear of the error. If not, repeat steps 1 and 2.
5. Now backup the folder (mentioned in step 3) and then delete it.
6. Check if Uplay is clear of the error.
7. If not, repeat step 1 and open File Explorer to navigate to the following path:

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Ubisoft Game Launcher\

8. Now backup the Spool folder and delete it. Then launch Uplay to check if the problem is solved.
9. If not, repeat Step 1 and open File Explorer to navigate to the following path:

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\

10. Now backup the Ubisoft Game Launcher folder and then delete it.
11. Then launch the Uplay client to check if the problem is solved.

Solution 7: Verify the Integrity of the Game Files of the Problematic Game

The issue could be due to the corrupt game files of the problematic game. In this scenario, verifying the integrity of game files may solve the problem. The said process will ensure that the game files on your system match with the files on the Uplay server. If there is any difference, the missing/corrupt files will be replaced by the server version.

1. Open the Uplay client and click on Games.
2. Then, click on the problematic Game.
3. Now in the left pane of the game’s settings window, click on Properties.
4. Then, in the right pane of the window, click on the Verify Files (under local files).
5. Now wait for the completion of the verification process and if there any corrupt/missing files, then you may have to download the corrupt/missing files.

   

6. Then launch Uplay and check if it is clear of synchronization error.

Solution 8: Replace Your Achievements Folder of Uplay Client With a Friend’s Achievements Folder

If you are encountering the issue due to the corruption of your achievements folder, then you can replace your achievement folder with a player’s folder (who is not having issues with the game/Uplay) and this may solve the problem.

1. Close Uplay and all of its related processes through the Task Manager (as discussed in solution 2).
2. Backup your achievement folder.
3. Get a copy of the achievement folder from a player/friend who is not having issues with the game/Uplay.
4. Now, replace your achievement folder with the player/friend’s folder and launch Uplay to check if it is clear of the error.

Solution 9: Reinstall the Uplay Client

If nothing has worked for you, then the installation of Uplay client is corrupt and is the root cause of the current issue. In this scenario, uninstalling and then reinstalling the Uplay client may solve the issue. Don’t worry about your data/achievements related to Uplay as the said data is tied to your Uplay account (not the installation of Uplay) and will be available when you will sign-in with your credentials.

1. Open the File Explorer of your system and navigate to the following path to Ubisoft Game Launcher folder:

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Ubisoft Game Launcher\

2. Backup the Cache folder and SaveGames folder to a safe location.
3. Right-click on Uplay shortcut on your desktop and click on Open File Location.
4. Now, in the installation directory of Uplay, backup savegames folder to a safe location. Keep a note of the installation directory of Upaly as you will require it at a later stage.

   

5. On the Taskbar of your system, click on Windows Search box and type Control Panel. Now, in the list of results, click on Control Panel.

   

6. Then click on Uninstall a Program.

   

7. Now, right-click Uplay and then click on Uninstall.

   

8. Now, follow the prompts on your screen to complete the uninstallation of the Uplay client. Do not worry about “some Uplay games will be uninstalled too” prompt and click on Next.
9. Then restart your system.
10. Upon restart, open the installation directory of Uplay (step 3) and delete all the remnants of the Uplay installation especially the cache folder.
11. Now, download the latest Uplay client from the official site.
12. After the download is complete, right-click on the downloaded file and then click on Run as Administrator.
13. Now, follow the prompts on your screen to complete the installation process of Uplay client. Keep in mind, you should install the Uplay client on the system drive.
14. After completion of the Uplay client installation, launch it as administrator and sign-in using your credentials. Hopefully, the synchronize issue has been resolved.
15. For the Steam version of Uplay, follow the procedure for the uninstallation/reinstallation of a normal Steam game.