Overcoming NVIDIA's Failed Configuration Retrieval in 10/11 Windows
Overcoming NVIDIA’s Failed Configuration Retrieval in 10/11 Windows
GeForce Experience is software with which users can usually optimize their games. However, some GeForce Experience users can’t optimize games with that software because of an “unable to retrieve settings” error. Some users see that error message when they click games’ thumbnails in GeForce Experience.
Consequently, users can’t select the Optimize option for games that show the “unable to retrieve settings” error. That’s a bit annoying for players seeking optimal gaming performance. This is how you can fix GeForce Experience’s “unable to retrieve settings” error within Windows.
1. Run GeForce Experience With Administrative Rights
A few players have said running GeForce Experience with admin rights resolved the “Unable to retrieve settings” error for them. So, that’s a simple resolution worth trying. To see if that works for you, bring up the Windows search tool and input GeForce Experience. Then right-click the GeForce Experience search result to select Run as administrator.
If that works, set GeForce Experience to always run with elevated user rights. Then you won’t need to select the Run as administrator option all the time. Our guide for always running apps as an administrator on Windows tells you how to set software packages to start with elevated permissions.
2. Remove Scan Locations
Some GeForce Experience users confirm that removing scan locations and rescanning fixes the “Unable to retrieve settings” error. This is how you can remove scan locations in GeForce Experience:
- Open the GeForce Experience window.
- Click the Settings button by your user account name.
- Select the Games & Apps tab.
- Then select a scan location and click Remove. Repeat this step to remove all scan locations shown.
- Press the Scan Now button to rescan.
3. Delete the CefCache Folder
CefCache is a GeForce Experience folder that stores cached data. GeForce Experience optimization issues can arise when that cache includes corrupted configuration files. You might be able to resolve the “Unable to retrieve settings” error by deleting the CafCache folder like this:
- Ensure GeForce Experience isn’t already running by closing it on the taskbar and the system tray. Right-click the NVIDIA system tray and select Exit to close GeForce Experience there.
- Open File Explorer (press Win + E) and input this path in the folder address bar:
C:\Users\<user folder>\AppData\Local\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA GeForce Experience
- Right-click the CefCache folder to select Delete.
- Then launch the GeForce Experience software.
- Input your GeForce Experience account details again and click Log In.
4. Restore Default NVIDIA 3D Settings
Restoring the NVIDIA 3D Settings to default is another potential fix for the “Unable to retrieve settings” error that has worked for some users. Applying this resolution will reset all 3D settings you’ve changed in the NVIDIA Control panel to a default configuration. You can apply this potential resolution as follows:
- Right-click on the NVIDIA logo inside the system tray area to select Control Panel.
- Next, select Manage 3D settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Click Restore on the Global Settings tab.
- Select Yes to reset the settings.
5. Delete the Steam User Data
The “Unable to retrieve settings” error can arise for Steam games because of a data conflict with Steam. Players have confirmed erasing data in a Steam userdata subfolder works for fixing this issue. So, that’s a possible resolution recommended for all players who’ve got Steam installed. Clear Steam’s userdata folder like this:
- Simultaneously press Win + X and select the File Explorer shortcut.
- Input this userdata folder path in Explorer’s address bar:
C:\Program Files\Steam\userdata
- Right-click a subfolder that doesn’t have any numbers in its name within the userdata folder and select Delete.
- Repeat the previous step to delete all subfolders in userdata with non-numeric titles like anonymous, etc.
6. Perform Some Generic Windows Fixes
There are a few Windows-based fixes you can try to get rid of this error.
Erase Temporary Windows Data
The Temp folder stores temporary files. GeForce Experience users confirm deleting data in that Temp folder can fix the “Unable to retrieve settings” issue. So, try eradicating data in that folder with one of the methods in our guide to deleting temporary files in Windows 11 .
- Title: Overcoming NVIDIA's Failed Configuration Retrieval in 10/11 Windows
- Author: Joseph
- Created at : 2024-08-22 21:42:38
- Updated at : 2024-08-23 21:42:38
- Link: https://windows11.techidaily.com/overcoming-nvidias-failed-configuration-retrieval-in-1011-windows/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.