# Settings troubleshooting

> Diagnose and fix Cartographer settings issues: changes that don't take effect, a corrupted settings file, settings you can't find, and secure settings that won't save.

## A setting change doesn't take effect

**Cause 1:** Some settings only apply after a restart.
**Solution 1:** Restart Cartographer.

**Cause 2:** It's a Security tab setting.
**Solution 2:** Change it through the Settings UI, not by editing the settings file directly.

## The settings file is corrupted

**Cause:** `settings_v2.json` has invalid JSON, often from a manual edit.

**Solution:**
1. Close Cartographer.
2. Delete or rename `settings_v2.json`.
3. Restart — it's recreated with defaults, and you'll need to reconfigure your preferences. See [Settings file locations](settings-file-locations.md).

## I can't find a setting

**Cause 1:** It's on a different tab than expected.
**Solution 1:** Check the other Settings tabs.

**Cause 2:** It's version-specific.
**Solution 2:** Confirm your Cartographer version, then check the release notes. The setting may have moved or been removed in a later version.

## Secure settings won't save

**Cause 1:** Your Windows user profile isn't loaded correctly — the secure settings file relies on the Data Protection API (DPAPI).
**Solution 1:**
1. Restart Cartographer.
2. Contact UiPath Support if it persists.

**Cause 2:** macOS didn't let UiPath Assistant use its Keychain key (login keychain locked, or access denied).
**Solution 2:**
1. Unlock your login keychain and allow access to **UiPath Assistant Safe Storage**.
2. Quit and reopen UiPath Assistant.
3. Contact UiPath Support if it persists.

**Cause 3:** The Keychain-protected file couldn't be decrypted.
**Solution 3:** It's reset to defaults, and plugin secrets must be entered again. Contact UiPath Support if it persists.