How to Repair a Corrupted Save File in 7 Days to Die on PC (Updated Guide for 2024)

7 Days to Die is an exhilarating open-world survival horror video game that can be played on various platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, and more. The objective of the game is to endure in a procedurally generated world by overcoming challenges like zombies, injuries, sickness, and more. It has gained significant popularity among gamers; however, some players are currently encountering issues with the game. Users report that when attempting to load a saved game in 7 Days to Die, they encounter different errors displayed in the top-left corner of the screen, preventing the game from loading altogether.

All users are frantically frustrated as the game denies them access to their countless hours of gameplay progress. If you too are grappling with this issue, we understand the distress it can cause. To alleviate your concerns, we have compiled a list of potential solutions in this article to assist you in fixing the "7 Days to Die corrupted save file issue" on your PC.

Why Does 7 Days to Die Save Corrupt on PC?

There could be several factors contributing to the corruption of a saved game file in 7 Days to Die. However, our investigation revealed that many users encountered this issue when their game unexpectedly closed due to abrupt or incorrect system shutdowns. Apart from this, other reasons for this inconvenience in the 7 Days to Die game might include an unstable internet connection, sudden power outages, and so on.

When the system suddenly shuts down during gameplay, the two crucial game files, main.ttw and main.ttw.bak, become corrupted. The error message encountered when attempting to load the saved game also refers to this issue. You can verify this in the error message you're encountering. In summary, this problem arises when the computer or game unexpectedly crashes, resulting in the corruption of these two files and preventing them from opening. Some users have also reported similar errors, confirming this scenario.

This situation could totally apply to you too. Maybe you just shut down your system without closing the game through the menu and then turning off your computer, which could be the cause. But don't stress, this issue can be resolved with some straightforward steps. You can check out potential solutions in the next section and give them a try.

How to Resolve Corrupted Save Files in 7 Days to Die on PC

You have now examined several potential causes behind this frustrating problem. It's now time to resolve it. This section presents the most effective solutions to restore corrupted save files in 7 Days to Die. You can attempt these remedies to effortlessly overcome the issue.

• 1. Exit the Game & Restart the Device
• 2. Start a New Game with the Same Settings

Before addressing this issue, we recommend backing up your current 7 Days to Die game files to avoid any potential data loss. This is because we will be modifying some essential game files that are necessary for the game to run. Should anything go wrong during the process, you'll have a backup to restore from.

You can utilize a third-party backup utility to safeguard all your current game files. We generally suggest users employ the Todo Backup tool, as it is user-friendly and encompasses all necessary functions. With Todo Backup, you can easily create a backup of your 7 Days to Die save game files to keep them secure. This tool enables you to create substantial backups within minutes and store them in your cloud storage. Moreover, your data remains protected from ransomware and other malicious viruses.

Here are some of the key features of Todo Backup that can assist you in backing up game files:

• Direct Backup to Cloud Storage
• Basic Scheduled Backup
• Disk & Partition Clone
• Secured Password-Protected Backups
• Multi-Path Backup Storage
• Full/Differential/Incremental Backup
• Backup Files, System & Hard Drive to Cloud Drive

You can download the Todo Backup tool on your Windows PC by visiting the provided link. After backing up all the game files, proceed with the workarounds listed below for 7 Days to Die.

1. Quit the Game & Restart the Device

As mentioned earlier, most users encountered this issue due to unexpected or improper system shutdown. Let's begin with the simplest solution. Firstly, exit the game and restart your computer. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Launch the 7 Days to Die game on your computer and open the game menu by pressing the Esc key on your keyboard.

2. Now, exit the game by clicking on the Quit option from the game menu. If you're unable to exit through the game menu, press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete key combination to open the Task Manager, and then force quit the application from there.

3. After exiting the video game, turn off the PC to terminate all processes related to the 7 Days to Die game.

4. After properly shutting down the computer, reboot it, launch 7 Days to Die, and attempt to load the same corrupted game file to assess the status of the issue.

We hope the issue with your computer has been resolved. Before proceeding to the next solution, it's important to remind you not to forcefully shut down the console by directly cutting off power. Always remember this to prevent potential damage.

2. Create A New Game With the Same Settings

If restarting the system does not resolve the issue, we recommend replacing the damaged main.ttw and main.ttw.bakk files with functional copies. As previously mentioned, this problem occurs when the main.ttw file fails to load correctly or becomes corrupted. To rectify the situation, you can generate a new game and substitute the fresh world data with the corrupted world data. The process is detailed in the steps below:

Important: This troubleshooting step might resolve the issue, but it will reset your game progress to the first day. The good news is that you'll retain all your items and structures even from day one. Therefore, you don't need to be concerned about losing the resources you've gathered after hours of gameplay.

Step 1. First, open 7 Days to Die on your computer and click on the New Game option on the main menu screen.

Step 2. Next, create a new save file using the same settings as the corrupted game. Ensure that the game name, game world, world size, and all other configurations match exactly those of the previously corrupted game file.

Step 3. Once you've created the new world with the same settings, exit the game and open File Explorer on your Windows PC.

Step 4. Next, access the Saves subfolder of 7 Days to Die by copying and pasting the directory path below into the top search bar.

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\7DaysToDie\Saves

Step 5. Next, click on View in the ribbon menu of File Explorer, then hover the arrow over Show and check the Hidden items option.

Click on Hidden Items

Step 6. In the "Saves" subfolder, you will now see all the saved game files listed under their respective world seed names. To view the game data, you need to double-click on the seed name.

Step 7. Once the map folder is open, double-click on the saved game that is not opening correctly.

Step 8. Next, delete the files mentioned below from the corrupted saved game folder and proceed to the newly created game folder within the Saves subfolder.

1. main.ttw
2. main.ttw.loadFailed
3. main.ttw.bakk
4. main.ttw.bakk.loadFailed

Step 9. Finally, copy the main.ttw and main.ttw.bak files from the newly created game folder and paste them into the corrupted saved game folder.

There you go! Now, restart your computer and start the game. Once the game is running, attempt to load the saved game file that previously wouldn't open and displayed errors. The game should now open correctly without any issues.

The Bottom Line

"7 Days to Die" is such an exhilarating game that we find ourselves engrossed in it for hours on end. Hours of gameplay equate to substantial progress, and naturally, we can't bear to lose any of it. Unfortunately, some players are facing the dire situation where their saved game won't load in "7 Days to Die," putting their hard-earned progress at risk.

When attempting to open the saved game, they're encountering different errors. Thankfully, this issue can be resolved. In this article, we've provided some effective solutions to help you fix the 7 Days to Die corrupted save problem on your PC. We hope these methods will assist you in resolving the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on 7 Days to Die Corrupted Save Files on PC

There are slim chances that you'll still harbor any uncertainties about today's subject, as we have already provided an extensive explanation. However, should any doubts persist, you can refer to the most commonly asked questions about 7 Days to Die Corrupted Save on PC. We trust that these FAQs will address all your concerns.

1. Where is the Save Folder located in 7 Days To Die?

To access the Saves folder in 7 Days To Die on your Windows PC, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 2. In the Run window, type `%AppData%` and then press the Enter key. This will open the AppData folder. 3. Navigate to the folder named `7DaysToDie` within the AppData folder. 4. Double-click on the `Saves` folder to open it. Here, you will find all your saved game files in one location.

2. Why Does My Save File Keep Getting Corrupted?

Throughout our research, we discovered that there could be multiple reasons behind the corruption of this game's save files. One of the most common causes is an improper shutdown of your computer. You might have forcefully turned off your system by pressing the Power button directly, which led to this issue. Other contributing factors can include viruses, other malicious software, and unexpected power outages.

3. What Happens if You Delete Saved Game Data?

If you delete the game's saved data from the system's storage, you will lose all your gameplay progress. This includes in-game accomplishments, advancements, and any other elements within the game. Unfortunately, this data will not be recoverable unless it was previously saved on cloud servers.

4. Does 7 Days To Die have backup saves?

Similar to other Steam games, 7 Days to Die also features real-time cloud synchronization which automatically saves your progress as you play. You can conveniently back up and restore your saved game files for 7 Days to Die through the Steam application. Additionally, you can locate the saved game files within the 'Saves' subfolder in the main game directory. To access the Saves folder, navigate to the path mentioned.

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\7DaysToDie\Saves