# Error running programs

**URL:** <https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767>\
**Category:** Errors\
**Created:** [March 24, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767 "2023-03-24T16:53:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![egomezp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@egomezp](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/u/egomezp)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767/1 "2023-03-24T16:53:31Z")

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Hey there

It’s my first time on FENICS. I’m trying to run the tutorial programs. I get the next error:

python3 ft01\_poisson.py  
Solving linear variational problem.  
Traceback (most recent call last):  
File “ft01\_poisson.py”, line 44, in   
vtkfile \<\< u  
File “/usr/lib/petsc/lib/python3/dist-packages/dolfin/io/ **init**.py”, line 14, in **lshift**  
self.write(u.\_cpp\_object)  
RuntimeError:

\*\*\* -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
\*\*\* DOLFIN encountered an error. If you are not able to resolve this issue  
\*\*\* using the information listed below, you can ask for help at

* * *

\*\*\* [fenics-support@googlegroups.com](mailto:fenics-support@googlegroups.com)

* * *

\*\*\* Remember to include the error message listed below and, if possible,  
\*\*\* include a _minimal_ running example to reproduce the error.

* * *

\*\*\* -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
\*\*\* Error: Unable to write to file.  
\*\*\* Reason: Unable to open file “poisson/solution.pvd” for writing.  
\*\*\* Where: This error was encountered inside GenericFile.cpp.  
\*\*\* Process: 0

* * *

\*\*\* DOLFIN version: 2019.2.0.dev0  
\*\*\* Git changeset: ubuntu

Any idea?  
Thanks

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dokken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fenicsproject.discourse.group/dokken/32/1560_2.png) [@dokken](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/u/dokken)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767/2 "2023-03-24T17:00:55Z")

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> [@egomezp](#):
>
> It’s my first time on FENICS. I’m trying to run the tutorial programs. I get the next error:

First of all, if you are new to fenics, we strongly encourage you to use FEniCSx, Ref: [The new DOLFINx solver is now recommended over DOLFIN](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/the-new-dolfinx-solver-is-now-recommended-over-dolfin/8249)

Your error is most likely related to permission issues with creating the folder `poisson`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![egomezp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@egomezp](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/u/egomezp)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767/3 "2023-03-24T17:12:54Z")

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Can I get some help on how to fix the folder issue?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dokken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/fenicsproject.discourse.group/dokken/32/1560_2.png) [@dokken](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/u/dokken)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 5:26pm UTC](https://fenicsproject.discourse.group/t/error-running-programs/10767/4 "2023-03-24T17:26:45Z")

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I would suggest creating the folder prior to running the code, or change the read/write permissions of your current folder.

All of this depends on how you installed dolfin, and on what platform.