Borderlands 4 “Your settings have failed to save” Error: Possible Fixes

Uncategorized · · 09/12/2025

Borderlands 4 is finally here, but many PC players are facing a ton of errors. One of them is the “your settings have failed to save” error, and we’re here to help you fix it. Players have already shared some solutions on Reddit posts and forums, and you should try them too.

Borderlands 4 “your settings have failed to save”
byu/Mobile_Assistance_70 inBorderlands

Gearbox Software’s highly anticipated launch has gone well so far in terms of sales and critical reception. The game broke franchise records on Steam and has gotten very positive reviews from critics. But none of it will mean anything if the game remains borderline unplayable for us. So let’s try to fix it from our side.

How to fix the “Your settings have failed to save” Error in Borderlands 4

An in-game screenshot of Borderlands 4.
An in-game screenshot of Borderlands 4.
An in-game screenshot of Borderlands 4.
An in-game screenshot of Borderlands 4.
An in-game screenshot of Borderlands 4.

From what we’ve seen so far on Reddit and other forums, this issue is tied to Windows Defender and Controlled Folder Access, which can block the game from saving configuration files. Several players on a Reddit post reported that allowing the game through Defender resolved the issue. To try this fix:

  • Open Windows Security > Protection History and look for any entries blocking Borderlands 4.
  • Select the entry, click Actions > Allow on Device, and restart your system.

Another solution that we saw some players suggest is bypassing ransomware protection:

  • Go to Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Ransomware Protection.
  • Either disable Controlled Folder Access or manually add the Borderlands 4.exe file to allowed apps.

If neither of those fixes works, try the standard troubleshooting steps provided by Gearbox on its official support page. You can try verifying game files through Steam or the Epic Games Store, running the executable as administrator, disabling overlays like Steam or Discord, and updating your GPU drivers.

If you’re lucky enough, all you might need to do is the good old restart the game or reinstall the game. Still, it’s weird that this issue even exists. And considering the fact that it’s not the only issue right now, maybe Gearbox needs to step in.

The Game Hasn’t Had The Smoothest Launch So Far

A character in Borderlands 4 shooting a gun,
Games releasing in this state are unacceptable. | Image Credit: Gearbox Software

Within hours of launch, Borderlands 4 broke records on Steam with over 200,000 concurrent players. But the game’s release has been overshadowed by technical problems. The PC version in particular is plagued with performance complaints, ranging from FPS drops and shader compilation delays to full system crashes.

Some unlucky players even reported corrupted save files, though Steam Cloud has saved progress in certain cases. And of course, the playerbase isn’t happy with this, so naturally, the game has been review bombed. So even with its positive critical reviews, the game currently sits at Mixed on Steam reviews.

Of course, fans are currently pointing fingers at the usual suspects. Unreal Engine 5 and Denuvo DRM are the usual culprits when it comes to these kinds of performance issues. And it’s not simply that. It’s also because it’s very easy to tell when game developers decide to optimize the game well or not. Even players with high-end PCs are reporting issues right now, so that’s that.

The mixed reception hasn’t stopped the game from selling well. Back at Gamescom last month, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford spoke to Insider Gaming and projected that Borderlands 4 could push the franchise past 100 million lifetime sales.

That may very well be within reach now, but the early technical issues have to be resolved. Have you faced any issues so far in Borderlands 4? Let us know in the comments!