The Ultimate 5-Step Fix For "There Was A Problem Authenticating The Ownership Of This Product" Error

Are you locked out of your purchased game by a cryptic digital rights management (DRM) message? As of late 2025, the error message "There was a problem authenticating the ownership of this product" remains a common and frustrating roadblock, particularly for users launching Ubisoft titles like *Rainbow Six Siege*, *Anno 1800*, or *Assassin's Creed* through third-party platforms such as Steam or the Microsoft Store. This issue fundamentally stems from a breakdown in communication between the main storefront and the required game launcher, Ubisoft Connect, preventing the necessary license validation.

This comprehensive guide provides the latest, most effective, and unique troubleshooting steps to resolve this persistent ownership authentication failure. We've compiled the most critical fixes—many of which are overlooked—to get you back into your game quickly. Understanding the core conflict—usually an incorrect account linking or a corrupted local file—is the first step to permanently eliminating this digital rights nightmare.

Understanding the Root Cause: Why Does Ownership Authentication Fail?

Before diving into the fixes, it's crucial to understand the ecosystem that generates this error. When you purchase a game like *Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege* on Steam, you are essentially buying a license key that must then be activated and linked to a Ubisoft Account via the Ubisoft Connect launcher. The "ownership authentication" error occurs when one of these three components—Steam, the Ubisoft Account, or Ubisoft Connect—fails to communicate the valid license status to the others.

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The vast majority of cases point to a mismatch between the Steam account and the Ubisoft Connect account. If you have multiple Ubisoft accounts, or if you logged into a different one during the initial game launch, the system assumes the product is owned by a different user or is missing the necessary digital license. Other causes include corrupted local cache files, outdated Ubisoft Connect software, or temporary server-side issues.

The Ultimate 5-Step Master Plan to Fix the Ownership Error

Follow these steps sequentially. They are ordered from the simplest and most common fix to the more technical and comprehensive solutions, ensuring you address the most likely root causes first.

Step 1: The Critical Account Re-Link (The Mismatch Fix)

This is the single most common cause of the "problem authenticating the ownership of this product" error, especially for games purchased on Steam or the Microsoft Store.

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• Log Out of Ubisoft Connect: Completely close the game and the Ubisoft Connect application. Ensure it is not running in the background (check your system tray).
• Verify Steam Account Link: Launch the game directly from your Steam Library. When the Ubisoft Connect login prompt appears, ensure you are logging in with the *exact* Ubisoft Account that the game was originally linked to. If you are unsure, try all your known accounts.
• Re-authenticate: After successfully logging in, the two platforms (Steam and Ubisoft Connect) should re-authenticate the product ownership. The game should launch without the error.

Step 2: Clear the Ubisoft Connect Cache

Corrupted or outdated local files in the Ubisoft Connect cache can interfere with the license validation process, even if your account linking is correct. Clearing this cache forces the launcher to download fresh authentication tokens.

• Locate the Cache Folder: Navigate to the following directory on your PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\cache (or wherever you installed the launcher).
• Delete the Contents: Delete all files and folders *inside* the cache folder. Do not delete the cache folder itself.
• Relaunch: Restart your computer and try launching the game again from the original storefront (Steam or Microsoft Store).

Step 3: Run as Administrator and Check Firewalls

Sometimes, the Ubisoft Connect launcher lacks the necessary permissions to communicate with the DRM servers or is being blocked by a security feature. This is a common connectivity issue that can be mistaken for an ownership problem.

• Run as Administrator: Right-click on the Ubisoft Connect executable file (or the shortcut) and select "Run as administrator." Then, launch the game from within the Ubisoft Connect app itself, rather than from Steam.
• Firewall/Antivirus Check: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software. If the game launches, you must create an exception for both the game's executable (e.g., *R6Siege.exe*) and the Ubisoft Connect launcher in your security settings.

Step 4: Verify Game File Integrity (Steam/Microsoft Store)

Corrupted game files can sometimes trigger a failed ownership check. The storefronts have built-in tools to verify and repair these files, ensuring all necessary licensing components are intact.

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• For Steam Users: Right-click the game (*Rainbow Six Siege*, *Anno 1800*, etc.) in your Steam Library -> Select Properties -> Go to the Installed Files tab -> Click Verify integrity of game files...
• For Microsoft Store Users: Go to Windows Settings -> Apps -> Find the game -> Click Advanced options -> Click the Repair button. If that fails, click Reset.

Step 5: Reinstall Ubisoft Connect and Check for Account Handoff Issues

If all else fails, a clean reinstallation of the Ubisoft Connect client can resolve deep-seated licensing conflicts and ensure you have the latest, bug-free version. This is especially relevant if the error appeared after a recent system update or a major Ubisoft patch.

• Uninstall: Completely uninstall Ubisoft Connect from your Windows Control Panel.
• Download Fresh: Download the latest installer directly from the official Ubisoft website.
• Reinstall and Test: Reinstall the launcher, log in, and then attempt to launch the game from the *original* platform (Steam or Microsoft Store). This forces a fresh, clean handoff of the product license and ownership data.

Specific Scenarios: Steam and Microsoft Store Authentication Problems

The ownership authentication error often manifests differently depending on where you bought the game. Recognizing these platform-specific nuances is key to a fast solution.

Ubisoft Games Purchased on Steam

The most frequent cause here is the wrong account link. When you first launch a Ubisoft game via Steam, a permanent link is established between your Steam ID and the Ubisoft Account you use at that moment. If you log in with a different Ubisoft account later, the system sees a valid Steam license but an unlinked Ubisoft profile, triggering the "problem authenticating" error. The only fix is to use the original, linked account, or contact Ubisoft Support to request a manual account unlink, which is a complex process.

Ubisoft Games Purchased on Microsoft Store/PC Game Pass

Users who access games like *Rainbow Six Siege* through the Microsoft Store or PC Game Pass often encounter this issue due to conflicts with the Xbox App and Windows Store credentials.

• Check Microsoft Credentials: Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft Account in both the Microsoft Store app and the Xbox App. The account must be the one that holds the active Game Pass subscription or the original game purchase.
• Synchronize Licenses: Open the Microsoft Store, click the three-dot menu (or your profile icon), and select Downloads and updates. Click Get updates to force a synchronization of your purchased digital licenses and product ownership status.

By systematically addressing the account linking, cache integrity, and connectivity issues outlined in this guide, you can successfully bypass the "There was a problem authenticating the ownership of this product" error and regain access to your digital library. This error is almost always a configuration issue, not a problem with your actual purchase or product key.