How To Fix Ubisoft Connect Disk Access and Disk Write Errors

Dealing with the Ubisoft Connect disk error can be really frustrating, especially when you’re trying to update or install a game and suddenly get hit with that “Disk Error” or “Disk Access Error.” Usually, it’s some mix of permissions, cache glitches, or disk space issues, but sometimes it’s a bit more obscure. The good news is that most of these problems are fixable with a few straightforward steps. The goal is to get Ubisoft Connect able to read/write properly again without messing around too much, so here’s a collection of practical fixes based on real-world struggles.

How to Fix Ubisoft Connect Disk Errors: Tried and True Methods

Run a quick system restart to clear temporary glitches

This might seem trivial, but on some setups, just rebooting can clear out locked files or stuck services that block access during updates or installs. When Ubisoft Connect throws a disk error, it’s often due to temporary files or background processes holding onto disk handles. Restarting resets all that junk—sometimes it’s enough to get everything flowing again.

1. Click the Start menu, then press the Power icon and select Restart.
2. Once rebooted, start Ubisoft Connect and see if the error pops up again.

Run Ubisoft Connect as an administrator

This helps if the app isn’t allowed to access essential folders—like Program Files or the game’s installation folder—because of Windows User Account Control or strict security software. Running with admin rights will sometimes make the difference between a successful write and a disk access error.

1. Right-click the Ubisoft Connect shortcut or executable.
2. Select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply and OK. Restart Ubisoft Connect and try updating or launching again.

This fix is especially handy on *fresh installs* or if UAC was recently turned on — on some machines, the program just doesn’t have enough rights to do its thing.

Verify game files within Ubisoft Connect

Corruption or missing files can cause errors that freak out Ubisoft’s checking system. Verifying repair tools are built into Ubisoft Connect—think of it as telling the client, “Hey, compare what’s on your servers to what’s on my PC, and fix any mismatches.” It’s surprisingly effective and doesn’t usually wipe your saves unless you go for a full reinstall.

1. Launch Ubisoft Connect.
2. Head over to the Library.
3. Click on the three dots (…) next to your game and choose Verify Files.
4. Let it do its thing; if corrupted files are found, Ubisoft will re-download them automatically.
5. Once done, restart the game and see if the error persists.

If verification finds issues but the error continues, consider a complete reinstallation.

Free up disk space — because Ubisoft hates limited storage

This one is easy to overlook but surprisingly common. If there’s not enough free space—say, less than twice the game size—installers and patches can fail, throwing errors like 17011. Make sure you’ve got some room to wiggle, especially on the drive where you’re installing everything.

1. Open File Explorer and right-click the drive—usually C:.
2. Choose Properties and check how much space is free. Ideally, keep at least 40–80 GB free depending on your game.
3. Use Disk Cleanup to remove unnecessary files or uninstall unused apps via Add or Remove Programs.

Reinstall the game — last resort but often clears persistent corruption

If nothing else works and the error keeps coming back, a quick reinstall might help. Just don’t forget to back up your save files, especially if the game doesn’t support cloud saves. It’s annoying but better safe than sorry.

1. In Ubisoft Connect, go to the Library.
2. Click the game’s options (the three dots) and pick Uninstall. Confirm when prompted.
3. Once uninstalled, head over to the Store tab, find the game, and hit Install.

Sometimes, corrupt or missing files cause the disk error, and a fresh install resets everything. On some setups it works on the first try, on others, it takes a couple of attempts—especially if your drive has lingering issues.

And if after all these steps the error still won’t budge, the real tough one is probably your drive. Bad sectors, failing disks, or degraded hardware might be at fault, and that’s when contacting Ubisoft Support or running a disk check becomes necessary.

While these fixes cover the most common causes, persistent disk errors can be tricky. But often, it’s just permissions, cache, or space that’s causing the headache. Hopefully, this little combo guide helps someone jump that hurdle faster than expected.