3uTools error code 13 (failed to access folder) generally stems from a communication breakdown between your computer and the iOS device, often due to restricted file permissions or corrupted data paths. Primary Solutions Adjust Folder Permissions
Try a clean reinstall:
If you are trying to save a backup or export photos to a specific folder, ensure that folder isn't set to "Read-only." 3utools failed to access folder error code 13 new
Fix: 3uTools Failed to Access Folder (Error Code 13) If you've encountered the "Failed to access folder" (Error Code 13) while using 3uTools, you are likely dealing with a system-level permission conflict. This error typically occurs when 3uTools lacks the administrative rights to read or write to a specific directory on your PC, or when another process is "locking" the folder you're trying to use.
: Temporarily disable third-party security software or add 3uTools to the exclusion list, as these can block the software from writing to system folders Apple Support Community How to fix 3utools error codes on any iOS device 3uTools error code 13 (failed to access folder)
The primary suspects are Windows User Account Control (UAC) and folder permission attributes. If 3uTools is launched without administrative privileges, it may lack the authority to write to protected directories, such as C:\Program Files or system temp folders. Similarly, the target folder—perhaps a custom backup location on an external drive—might have permissions explicitly denying write access to the "SYSTEM" or "Authenticated Users" groups. A second, frequent culprit is interference from antivirus or real-time protection software. Security suites, wary of any tool that deeply accesses another device's file system (like 3uTools does with iOS), may quarantine or block write operations, triggering a permission failure. Lastly, the physical connection or driver state can masquerade as a folder error: if the iOS device is locked, untrusted, or in a recovery state where its file system is not fully mounted, the host PC sees an inaccessible folder.
Uncheck the Read-only attribute in the General tab and click Apply. 4. Update Drivers and Software This error typically occurs when 3uTools lacks the
If you continue to see Error Code 13 specifically during the 20%–21% mark of a flash, it may transition into a hardware-related signaling issue. In these cases, try: How to fix 3utools error codes on any iOS device
If you need to keep the current folder:
