Fix Rainbow Six Siege Error Code 6 0x00001000

Error code 6 0x00001000 in Rainbow Six Siege usually means the game cannot write to its save or settings files, often due to a corrupted file or a permissions problem. The quickest fix is to verify the game files through your platform’s launcher, then restart your PC and the game. Below is a full breakdown of why this happens and every step you can take to resolve it.

What This Error Means

Rainbow Six Siege uses error code 6 0x00001000 to indicate a file access failure. The game tries to read or write data to a specific folder (usually in Documents or the game’s installation directory) and the operating system blocks it. This can happen after a crash, a forced shutdown, a Windows update, or when antivirus software locks the file. The error is not a ban or a server issue—it is local to your machine.

The “6â€� in the code refers to a generic I/O error, and “0x00001000â€� is a Windows error flag that often maps to ERROR_INVALID_USER_BUFFER or a similar memory/access problem. In practice, Siege players see this when the game’s settings file (GameSettings.ini) is corrupted or when the folder permissions were changed.

Primary Fix: Verify Game Files

The first and most effective step is to let your game launcher check and repair the installation. This replaces any missing or damaged files without deleting your settings.

• Ubisoft Connect: Go to your Games tab, click on Rainbow Six Siege, select Properties, then “Verify files.â€� Wait for the process to finish.
• Steam: Right-click the game in your library, select Properties → Local Files → “Verify integrity of game files.â€�
• Xbox app / Game Pass: Open the app, go to the game’s page, click the three-dot menu, then “Manageâ€� and “Verify and repair.â€�

After verification, restart your PC and launch the game. If the error persists, move to the next steps.

Check Folder Permissions

Siege needs full read/write access to its configuration folder. If you moved your Documents folder to a different drive or used a third-party cleaner, permissions may have been reset.

1. Close the game and Ubisoft Connect/Steam.
2. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\My Games\Rainbow Six - Siege.
3. Right-click the folder, select Properties → Security → Edit.
4. Select your user account and check “Full control� under Allow.
5. Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.

If you do not see the folder, it may be hidden. Enable “Show hidden files� in File Explorer’s View menu. If the folder is missing entirely, create a new one with that exact name—the game will populate it on next launch.

Delete the Settings File (Safe to Do)

Sometimes the settings file itself is corrupted. Deleting it forces Siege to create a fresh one. This resets your graphics, audio, and keybindings, so note them down first.

1. Close the game completely.
2. Go to Documents\My Games\Rainbow Six - Siege.
3. Find the file named GameSettings.ini (or a folder with a long string of numbers/letters).
4. Rename it to GameSettings.ini.bak instead of deleting—this lets you restore it if needed.
5. Launch Siege. It will create a new settings file.

This fixes the error in most cases because the game can now write to a clean file. If the error returns after you change settings, the file may be getting corrupted again—check your disk health next.

Antivirus and Windows Defender Exclusions

Security software can mistakenly block Siege from writing to its own folders. Add exceptions for the game’s installation folder and the Documents folder.

• In Windows Defender, go to Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Exclusions → Add a folder.
• Add the Siege installation path (default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\games\Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege or your Steam library path).
• Also add C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\My Games\Rainbow Six - Siege.

If you use third-party antivirus, add the same folders to its whitelist. After adding exclusions, restart your PC and test the game. Some players also disable “Controlled folder access� in Windows Security, but that is a last resort because it weakens protection.

Run the Game as Administrator

If the error is caused by permission restrictions, running Siege with elevated rights can help. This is especially common if you installed the game on a drive that requires admin approval for writes.

1. Right-click the game’s executable (e.g., RainbowSix.exe in the installation folder).
2. Select Properties → Compatibility.
3. Check “Run this program as an administrator.�
4. Click Apply and OK.

Do the same for the Ubisoft Connect launcher if you use it. Note that this is a workaround, not a permanent fix—if the error disappears, you should still check folder permissions to address the root cause.

Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

If none of the above works, a clean reinstall is the most reliable fix. Uninstall Siege completely, then delete the leftover folder in Documents\My Games\Rainbow Six - Siege (back up your settings if you want). Reinstall the game to the same drive and folder path you used before, if possible.

Before reinstalling, also run a disk check on the drive where the game is installed. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type chkdsk C: /f (replace C: with your drive letter). This scans for bad sectors that could cause write errors. If the disk has issues, the error may return even after reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this error get me banned?
No. Error code 6 0x00001000 is a local file access problem, not a cheat detection issue. Ubisoft does not ban for this error. You can safely troubleshoot without worrying about account penalties.

Does this error happen on console?
It is extremely rare on PlayStation or Xbox because consoles manage file permissions automatically. This error is almost exclusively a PC issue, usually related to Windows permissions or corrupted files.

Why does it happen after every Windows update?
Windows updates can reset folder permissions or change how the Documents folder is indexed. If the error starts after an update, check the permissions on My Games and add the folder to Defender exclusions again.

Can I fix it by clearing the game cache?
Clearing the cache alone rarely fixes this error, but it can help if the cache folder (%localappdata%\Ubisoft Game Launcher) is corrupted. Delete the contents of that folder (not the folder itself) and restart the launcher.

Is there a way to prevent this error from happening again?
Keep your game and launcher updated, avoid force-closing Siege from Task Manager, and regularly verify game files after major Windows updates. Also, avoid using “cleaner� tools that delete temporary files from the Documents folder.

What if the error still appears after reinstalling?
If a fresh install still shows the error, the problem is likely your Windows user profile. Create a new local administrator account and test the game there. If it works, migrate your files and use that account, or repair your current profile with a system restore point.

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