The most common reasons Ubisoft Connect fails to download
Ubisoft Connect usually fails to download because of one of three things: your internet connection drops during the download, your computer doesn't have enough free space, or Windows is blocking the installer. Less often, the download link itself is broken or your antivirus software is interfering. The fix depends on which problem you have, and you can usually narrow it down in the first few minutes.
Before you try anything else, restart your computer and your internet router. This solves about half of download problems because it clears temporary files and resets your connection. Wait 30 seconds after unplugging the router before plugging it back in — this matters more than it sounds.
Key Takeaways
- Restart your computer and router first, then try the download again — this fixes most problems without any other steps.
- Check that you have at least 15 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive before downloading, because the installer needs room to unpack.
- If Windows shows a security warning when you run the installer, click "More info" and then "Run anyway" — Ubisoft's installer is legitimate but unsigned.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus software during the download, because some security programs block game installers by default.
- If the download keeps stopping partway through, use a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi, or download from a different computer on your network.
Check your hard drive space before downloading
Ubisoft Connect itself is about 500 megabytes, but the installer needs extra room to unpack files while it runs. You should have at least 15 gigabytes of free space before you start. If you have less, the download will either fail partway through or the installation will get stuck.
To check your free space on Windows, open File Explorer, right-click on your C: drive, and select Properties. Look at the number next to "Free space". If it is less than 15 gigabytes, delete old files, empty your Recycle Bin, or move large folders to an external drive. Then try the download again.
Allow the installer through Windows security
When you run the Ubisoft Connect installer, Windows may show a blue screen that says "Windows protected your PC" and blocks the file from running. This happens because the installer is not signed with a Microsoft certificate, even though it is safe. Click "More info" on that screen, then click the "Run anyway" button at the bottom.
If you do not see that button, your antivirus software is blocking the installer instead. Move to the next section to fix that problem.
Turn off your antivirus during the download
Some antivirus programs, especially Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky, block game installers by default because they look for patterns that match malware. Ubisoft Connect is not malware, but your antivirus does not know that. Temporarily disable your antivirus software, download and install Ubisoft Connect, then turn it back on.
The steps to disable antivirus software are different for each program. In Windows Defender (the built-in antivirus), click the Windows icon, type "Windows Security", open it, click "Virus & threat protection", then click "Manage settings" and toggle "Real-time protection" off. For other antivirus programs, right-click the icon in your system tray and look for "Disable" or "Turn off".
Do not leave your antivirus off for longer than you need to. Turn it back on as soon as the Ubisoft Connect installation finishes.
Use a wired connection if your Wi-Fi keeps dropping
If your download keeps stopping at the same point every time, your Wi-Fi connection is probably dropping. This is especially common if you are far from your router or if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Switch to a wired connection by plugging an ethernet cable directly into your computer and router.
If you cannot use a wired connection, move your computer closer to the router, ask other people on your network to stop streaming or downloading, or try downloading at a different time of day. You can also try downloading from a different computer on your network — sometimes one computer's connection is more stable than another's.
Download from the official Ubisoft website
Make sure you are downloading from the real Ubisoft website, not a third-party site. Go to ubisoft.com, click "Connect" at the top, and look for a download button. If you cannot find it, search for "Ubisoft Connect download" in your browser and make sure the link starts with ubisoft.com before you click it.
If the download link on the official website is broken, Ubisoft's servers may be temporarily down. Wait an hour and try again. You can also check Ubisoft's social media accounts or support page to see if they have announced any problems.
Clear your browser cache if the download page will not load
If the Ubisoft website itself will not load, or the download button does not work, your browser cache may be corrupted. Clear your browser's cached files and try again. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac), select "All time" under "Time range", check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear data".
After clearing your cache, close your browser completely and open it again. Then go back to ubisoft.com and try the download once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Ubisoft Connect on a Mac?
Yes. Go to ubisoft.com, click Connect, and select the Mac version. The installation process is the same as Windows — you may see a security warning, but you can click "Open" to proceed. Make sure you have at least 15 gigabytes of free space on your Mac before you start.
What if the installer downloads but will not run?
Right-click the installer file, select Properties (or Get Info on Mac), and check that it is not marked as blocked. On Windows, if you see a "Security" section with a checkbox next to "Unblock", check that box and click Apply. Then try running the installer again.
Do I need to download Ubisoft Connect separately, or does it come with my game?
Some Ubisoft games include the installer, but most require you to download it first. If you bought a game through Steam or Epic Games Store, you still need to download Ubisoft Connect separately and log in before the game will launch.
How long should the download take?
On a typical home internet connection, Ubisoft Connect downloads in 5 to 15 minutes. If it is taking much longer, your connection may be slow or unstable. Check your internet speed at speedtest.net — you should see at least 5 megabits per second for a reasonable download speed.
What if I get an error code during the download?
Write down the error code and search for it on Ubisoft's support website along with the word "Connect". Most error codes have a known fix. If you cannot find your code, restart your computer and try the download again — many temporary errors clear themselves on the second attempt.