Borderlands 4 Settings Have Failed to Save Game Fix

Based on information about recent game launches and common issues, a “settings have failed to save game” error in Borderlands 4 is a known issue, especially prevalent on PC.

This is a recurring problem that has also appeared in previous Borderlands titles. It’s often related to file permissions or conflicts, preventing the game from writing to its save directory.

Common Causes of the Error

• File Permissions:

  • The game may not have the necessary permissions to create or update files in the designated save location. This is often caused by Windows security features like Controlled Folder Access or by antivirus software.

• Corrupted Save Data:

  • An existing game file, particularly the profile.bin which stores your settings, may have become corrupted.

• Cloud Save Conflicts:

  • If you’re using a platform like Steam or Epic Games, a conflict between your local save files and the cloud saves can cause this issue.

• Third-Party Software:

  • Antivirus programs, cloud storage services (like OneDrive), or even an outdated game launcher can interfere with the saving process.

Also Read : Why is Yahoo Fantasy Not Working Today

How to Troubleshoot and Fix the Error

Follow these steps in a sequential order, as they move from the simplest fixes to more involved ones.

1. Run the Game as Administrator:

   • Find the Borderlands4.exe file in your game's installation folder.

   • Right-click it and select "Run as administrator."

   • This grants the game elevated permissions, which may bypass security restrictions.

2. Verify Integrity of Game Files:

   • This is a crucial first step for many game-related issues.
   • On Steam: Go to your Steam Library, right-click on Borderlands 4, go to “Properties,” select the “Installed Files” tab, and click “Verify integrity of game files.”
   • This process will check for any missing or corrupted files and automatically redownload them.

3. Check Windows Security (Controlled Folder Access):

   • Windows’s Controlled Folder Access feature is a common culprit. It’s designed to protect your personal files but can block games from saving.
   • Go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage ransomware protection.
   • Turn off “Controlled folder access” temporarily, or better yet, add an exception for the Borderlands 4 executable.

4. Check Your Antivirus Software:

   • Your antivirus program might be flagging the game’s attempts to write to your Documents folder as a threat.
   • Look for a quarantine list or blocked applications within your antivirus settings and make sure that Borderlands4.exe is not on it.
   • Add the game’s executable to the allowed applications or exclusion list.

5. Look for Cloud Save Conflicts:

   • If you’re on a platform with cloud saves, a conflict might be at play.
   • Try disabling cloud saves for Borderlands 4 on Steam or Epic Games.
   • Restart the game. If the error is gone, you can try enabling cloud saves again, but you may need to choose whether to use the local or cloud version of your save data.

6. Delete and Rebuild Corrupted Files:

   • The settings file itself could be corrupted.
   • Navigate to your game’s save folder, typically located at: C:\Users\[YourUserName]\Documents\My Games\Borderlands 4\Saved\SaveGames\
   • In this folder, you should find a file named profile.bin.
   • First, make a backup of this file. Then, delete the original file. The game will generate a new, clean version when you restart it, but you will lose your keybinds and settings.

7. Reinstall the Game:

   • If all else fails, a clean reinstallation can solve issues that are too deep to be fixed by verification.
   • Uninstall the game, then download and install it again. This ensures you have a fresh, uncorrupted version of all the game’s files.