ELDEN RING How to Fix Corrupted Files + Save File Transfer
Hey there, fellow Tarnished! Are you struggling with corrupted save files in ELDEN RING? Or maybe you’re trying to move your hard-earned progress to a different Steam account? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. As a long-time player who’s faced these issues myself, I’ve put together this guide to help you get back into the Lands Between as quickly as possible.
Quick Answer
To fix corrupted files or transfer save files in ELDEN RING, use the ERSR.exe tool. It can repair corrupted save files and help transfer saves between Steam accounts. For corrupted files, locate your save file, back it up, run ERSR.exe, enter your Steam ID, select save slots to repair, and run the process. For transferring saves, create a new folder with the desired Steam ID, place your save file there, and use ERSR.exe with the new Steam ID.
My ELDEN RING Save File Nightmare
Picture this: It’s 2 AM, I’ve just defeated Malenia after what felt like a thousand attempts, and I’m on top of the world. I save my game and head to bed, dreaming of my next conquest. The next day, I fire up ELDEN RING, ready to continue my journey, only to be greeted by the dreaded “Save data corrupted” message. My heart sank. Hundreds of hours of gameplay, gone in an instant. Or so I thought.
After a brief panic, I remembered a tool I’d been working on for just such an occasion. That tool became ERSR.exe, and it saved my save file (and my sanity). Now, I want to share it with you, so you never have to experience that gut-wrenching feeling of losing your progress.
Understanding Save File Corruption in ELDEN RING
Before we dive into the fixes, let’s talk about why save files get corrupted in the first place. Save file corruption can happen for various reasons:
- Sudden power outages or system crashes while saving
- Hardware issues, particularly with your storage device
- Software conflicts or antivirus interference
- Bugs in the game itself (though these are rare)
Whatever the cause, a corrupted save file can feel like the end of the world for an ELDEN RING player. But don’t give up, skeleton! Let’s get that save file fixed.
How to Fix Corrupted Save Files in ELDEN RING
Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing your corrupted save file:
- Locate your save file: First things first, we need to find your save file. It should be named
ER0000.sl2
and located in this directory:C:\Users\%your_username%\AppData\Roaming\EldenRing\%your_steamid%\ER0000.sl2
- Back up your save file: Before we do anything else, make a copy of your save file. Trust me, you’ll thank me later if something goes wrong.
- Download and run ERSR.exe: Grab the tool from the link at the end of this post and run it.
- Enter your Steam ID: The program will ask for your Steam ID. This is the name of the folder that contains your save file.
- Select save slots to repair: By default, this will be the first character slot. If you have multiple characters, things get a bit trickier (more on that later).
- Run the repair process: Click “Run” and let the magic happen. Pro tip: Don’t touch your keyboard or mouse during this process to avoid any interruptions.
- Restart the game: Once the process is complete, close ERSR.exe and fire up ELDEN RING. If all went well, your save should now work!
What If ERSR.exe Doesn’t Work?
If ERSR.exe doesn’t do the trick, don’t panic. There’s still hope. Advanced users can try manually recalculating the checksum of the save file using a hex editor like HxD. This process is pretty complex, involving identifying specific blocks of data and recalculating their checksums. If you’re comfortable with hex editing, give it a shot. If not, it might be time to reach out to the ELDEN RING community for help.
Transferring Your ELDEN RING Save File to Another Steam Account
Maybe you’re not dealing with corruption, but instead want to move your save to a different Steam account. Fear not, fellow Tarnished, for ERSR.exe has you covered here too. Here’s how to do it:
- Create a new folder: In the following directory, create a new folder with the Steam ID of the account you want to transfer to:
C:\Users\%your_username%\AppData\Roaming\EldenRing
- Move your save file: Copy your
ER0000.sl2
file into this new folder. - Run ERSR.exe: Launch the program and follow the same steps as above, but use the Steam ID of the new account when prompted.
And voila! Your save file should now work on the new Steam account. Time to continue your journey in the Lands Between!
Tips and Tricks for ELDEN RING Save File Management
Here are some additional tips to keep your ELDEN RING experience smooth:
- Regular backups: Get into the habit of backing up your save file regularly. You never know when you might need it.
- Cloud saves: Make sure Steam’s cloud save feature is enabled for ELDEN RING. This can be a lifesaver if your local save gets corrupted.
- Multiple characters: If you have multiple characters in your save file and it gets corrupted, the recovery process is more complex. ERSR.exe currently only supports single-character saves, so you might need to dig into manual hex editing for multi-character saves.
- Fresh start option: If all else fails, consider starting a new game to generate a fresh save file, then transferring only the character data from your old save. It’s not ideal, but it can sometimes resolve persistent issues.
Important Notes and Limitations
Before we wrap up, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- ERSR.exe currently only works with save files containing a single character. If you have multiple characters, you’re in for a more complex recovery process.
- While this tool has helped many players recover their saves, it’s not guaranteed to work in every case. Save file corruption can be tricky, and sometimes the damage is too severe to repair.
- Always, always back up your save file before attempting any repairs or transfers. You don’t want to lose your only copy of your progress!
Download ERSR.exe
Ready to give it a try? You can download ERSR.exe from this link:
Wrapping Up
Losing progress in ELDEN RING due to save file issues can be frustrating, but hopefully, this guide has given you the tools to overcome these challenges. Remember, even if you face setbacks, the journey through the Lands Between is worth it. Don’t you dare go hollow!
If you run into any issues or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ELDEN RING community. We’re all in this together, Tarnished. Now go forth and become the Elden Lord!
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