Few things are more frustrating than carefully tweaking your graphics, audio, and keybindings in Apex Legends only to have them revert back to default the next time you launch the game. This problem isn’t unique to Apex; many PC and console gamers encounter settings that reset after closing the game. Whether you’re on Steam, Origin, PlayStation, or Xbox, the causes and fixes are often similar. This guide will walk you through why your Apex Legends settings keep resetting and how to stop it for good.
Common Causes of Settings Resets in Apex Legends
Apex Legends stores its configuration in local files on your system. When these files become corrupted, locked, or overwritten, your changes disappear. The most frequent culprits include:
- Read-only config files: Windows may mark the settings file as read-only, preventing the game from saving changes.
- Cloud save conflicts: Steam Cloud or Origin Cloud can replace your local settings with an older or default version during sync.
- Game updates: Major patches sometimes reset user preferences to avoid compatibility issues.
- Corrupted user profile: A damaged settings folder can force the game to generate a fresh, default one each time.
- Antivirus interference: Overprotective software might block the game from writing to its configuration directory.
- Console saved data issues: On PlayStation and Xbox, cached or corrupted save data can cause similar resets.
How to Stop Apex Settings from Resetting on PC
Start with the simplest fixes and work your way down. Most players resolve the issue by adjusting file permissions or cloud settings.
Step 1: Check Your Config Files for Read-Only Protection
Navigate to the Apex settings folder. On Windows, it’s usually located in C:Users[YourUsername]Saved GamesRespawnApexlocal or inside the game installation folder. Look for files like videoconfig.txt or settings.cfg. Right-click each file, choose Properties, and uncheck Read-only if it’s enabled. Click Apply and OK. Now launch the game, change a setting, close it, and reopen to test.
Step 2: Disable Steam Cloud or Origin Cloud Saves
Cloud synchronization is a common troublemaker. In Steam, right-click Apex Legends in your library, select Properties, go to the General tab, and toggle Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for Apex Legends off. For Origin, open the application settings, find the Cloud Storage option, and disable it. After doing this, manually delete the local settings folder (keep a backup), then start the game to generate new config files. Reconfigure your preferences and see if they stick.
Step 3: Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes the game lacks permission to write to its own folder. Navigate to the Apex Legends executable (e.g., r5apex.exe), right-click it, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check Run this program as an administrator. Do the same for the launcher (Steam or Origin) if needed. This gives the game full write access to its directory.
Step 4: Delete and Recreate the Settings Folder
A corrupted settings folder can cause endless resets. Close the game and launcher completely. Navigate to the Saved Games/Respawn/Apex folder or the game’s installation directory. Rename the local folder to local_backup or delete it entirely. When you next launch Apex, it will create a fresh local folder with default settings. Reapply your customizations and test.
Step 5: Update Graphics Drivers and Verify Game Files
Outdated drivers can lead to unusual behavior. Download the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Afterward, verify the integrity of Apex’s game files. In Steam, right-click the game, go to Properties > Installed Files, and click Verify integrity of game files. In Origin, click the gear icon on the game tile and select Repair. This ensures no game files are missing or corrupted.
Step 6: Exclude Apex from Antivirus Scans
Add the Apex Legends folder and the Saved Games folder to your antivirus exclusion list. Temporarily disable real-time protection, test if settings save, then re-enable it. If the problem stops, create permanent exceptions for the game’s directories.
Fixing Apex Settings Resets on PlayStation and Xbox
Console players aren’t immune. On PS5 or PS4, corrupted save data or a full console cache can cause add-on settings or game preferences to reset. Try these steps:
- Clear the console cache: Fully power off the console, unplug it for 2 minutes, then restart. This clears temporary files that may be causing conflicts.
- Delete and redownload saved data: Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings. Select Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4), choose Console Storage, find Apex Legends, and delete only the settings file (not your profile data). If you’re unsure, back up to cloud first. Launch the game to recreate the file.
- Disable automatic cloud sync: In the same menu, turn off auto-upload for Apex so cloud data doesn’t overwrite your fresh settings.
- Rebuild database (PS5/PS4): Boot into Safe Mode and select Rebuild Database. This won’t delete any data but can fix file system errors.
On Xbox, the process is similar: clear the persistent storage (via Settings > Devices & connections > Blu-ray > Persistent storage), delete the game’s reserved space, and restart. Then launch Apex and reconfigure.
If Settings Reset in Other Games
Most of these steps apply universally. Check for read-only config files, cloud save interference, and admin permissions. Each game stores settings in different folders, so locate the appropriate directory under Documents, AppData, or Saved Games. The principle remains the same: ensure the game can write to its configuration files without being overwritten by external forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Apex settings keep resetting after I close the game?
This usually happens because the game’s configuration file is set to read-only, cloud saves are overwriting local changes, or the settings folder is corrupted. Follow the PC steps above, especially checking file permissions and disabling cloud sync.
How do I stop my game settings from resetting every time I play?
Start by running the game as an administrator and verifying that your config files are not read-only. Next, turn off any cloud save features and exclude the game folder from antivirus scans. If the issue persists, delete and regenerate the settings folder.
Why did my PS5 add-on settings reset?
On PS5, add-on or game settings may reset due to corrupted cache data or conflicts with cloud saves. Clearing the console cache, deleting the local save data for that game, and disabling auto-upload should resolve it.
Can cloud saves cause settings to reset?
Yes. Steam Cloud, Origin Cloud, or PlayStation Plus/Xbox Live cloud saving can sync an older version of your settings file, replacing the one you just changed. Disabling cloud sync for Apex is often the fix.
Will reinstalling Apex fix the settings reset problem?
Not necessarily. A clean install might help if game files are corrupted, but if the issue is with file permissions or cloud data, it will return. Reinstalling should be a last resort after trying the other solutions.
How do I make my config files not read-only?
Navigate to the settings file, right-click it, select Properties, and uncheck the Read-only attribute. For the entire folder, you can do the same, but individual files are more likely to be the problem.
Apex Legends should now remember your settings between sessions. If you still encounter resets, consider reaching out to EA Support or checking community forums for any ongoing game-specific bugs. With a bit of patience, you’ll be back in the arena with your preferred setup intact.
