Watch Dogs 2 Creating Profile Data Stuck ◆

Many Watch Dogs 2 players on PC (and occasionally consoles) encounter an infinite loading loop when launching the game: the screen freezes on a message saying “Creating profile data” or “Creating save data.” This prevents the game from reaching the main menu. Below is a breakdown of why this happens and how to resolve it.

Use msconfig to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items, then try launching the game.

If nothing works: Create a new Windows user account (local, not Microsoft) and launch the game from there — this isolates profile/permission issues.

Would you like help with recovering your save after fixing the issue?

The "Creating Profile Data" freeze in Watch Dogs 2 is a common technical hitch often tied to local save corruption, administrative permissions, or background software conflicts. Common Solutions Run as Administrator

: Right-click the game executable (or the shortcut) and select Run as administrator

. This often bypasses permission blocks that prevent the game from writing new profile data. Clear Corrupted Save Data watch dogs 2 creating profile data stuck

: If the game is trying to overwrite a "broken" file, it may hang. Navigate to your save folder (typically

C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\savegames\[User ID]\2688

Back up the folder, then delete the contents and restart the game to let it generate a fresh profile. Compatibility Mode

: Some users find success by setting the game to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 8 via the "Properties" menu on the Disable Overlay Software : Turn off overlays from Ubisoft Connect

, Discord, or Steam, as these can interfere with the game’s initial boot sequence. Verify Game Files : Use the "Verify Files" tool in Ubisoft Connect

or Steam to repair any missing or damaged installation data. Technical Context Connectivity Many Watch Dogs 2 players on PC (and

: If the freeze happens while the game is attempting to sync with servers, ensure Ubisoft Connect PC is updated to the latest version. Hardware/Resolution

: In rare cases, the game may struggle with specific screen resolutions during the first launch; launching in windowed mode (Alt+Enter) can sometimes bypass the hang. Are you playing on PC (Steam/Ubisoft) Console (PlayStation/Xbox)

? Knowing the platform will help narrow down the exact folder paths.

How to FIX Watch Dogs 2 Stuck on Loading Screen / Not Loading

Frustrating!

If you're experiencing issues with creating a profile in Watch Dogs 2 and getting stuck on the "Creating Profile Data" screen, here are some potential solutions: If nothing works: Create a new Windows user

Platform-specific solutions:

For PC (Steam):

For Console (PS4/Xbox One):

Additional troubleshooting steps:

I hope one of these solutions helps you resolve the issue and get back to playing Watch Dogs 2!

Right-click your Watch Dogs 2 launcher (or the .exe in the game folder) and select Run as administrator. Also do this for Ubisoft Connect (or Epic Games Launcher). The game needs elevated privileges to write profile data.

Cloud saves are the #1 culprit.