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FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2025 11:30 pm
by Turbo624
When selecting multiplayer, the game gives me the above error message
- Other SC games have no issue (like ww2)
- Have deleted, reinstalled the game and rebooted windows multiple times
- Have installed on different drives
- All video and sound drivers are current
- Have latest version on steam
- Same error if I try running the .EXE outside of steam
- Validated steam files

Have been waiting weeks for matrix support to reply. Typical.

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:19 am
by BillRunacre
Did you receive an automated reply from Matrix support with a ticket number?

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 2:06 pm
by Turbo624
No reply at all. Matrix support is a dead letter department and a waste of time. This error is game specific as other games work fine on the PBEM server.

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 7:52 am
by BillRunacre
It may have gone into spam then, as automated replies are sent to all new requests for assistance. If so, any subsequent reply by them may also have gone there.

Are you able to check?

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 2:34 pm
by Turbo624
I have been on the lookout for any response from Paradox, so no. I appreciate your rapid response but drop kicking into the customer support area isn't going to fix a problem with the game itself.

Can we please redirect the discussion back to the bug in the game, and how it can be fixed? This is the only SC game that has this bug, so it is a bug with the game, particularly given that the game is not creating the pbem log. The (set_pbem_log) sure sounds like a command line function in the game. Someone I would think could figure out that if other games work and this one doesn't, that would be a strong clue right?

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 3:20 pm
by Hubert Cater
This sounds like a permissions error on your system, e.g. that the game cannot write to the location for the log file.

Can you try running the game as an Administrator to see if this helps?

e.g. right click on the desktop shortcut, or on the EXE itself and select 'Run As Administrator'

Hope this helps,
Hubert

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 5:41 pm
by Turbo624
I tried it and it still generates the same error. I should mention that all the WW2 Strategic Command games work, however the Civil war game generates the same error (I hadn't tested the Civil war game earlier). I tried it with the admin exe and it still has the error.

Is there any work around for this?

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2025 3:24 am
by Hubert Cater
The only other thing I can think of is your Anti Virus might be getting in the way... some try and protect the USER Documents folder, as this is where the PBEM.log file is being accessed and written.

See if you can whitelist the WWI EXE for Strategic Command in your Anti Virus software to see if that helps.

Hubert

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2025 8:22 pm
by Turbo624
Hi Bill and Hubert,

Issued was fixed by reformatting the SSD where the game was installed, reinstalling the documents folder from a backup, clearing the steam cache, and reinstalling the game from backup with no antivirus program running. No idea what finally fixed, but the error is gone.

Thank you both for helping me fixed this! Excellent support from Fury Software!

Re: FAILED(set_pbem_log): Permission denied

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 12:53 pm
by Hubert Cater
Great to hear :)