Man, hitting that dreaded "failed to save game error code 804 bg3" message in Baldur's Gate 3 is like a punch to the gut. You're deep into Act 2, maybe just pulled off an insane tactical move, or finally convinced that stubborn NPC to see things your way... and then bam. The game just refuses to remember any of it. Talk about immersion-breaking frustration. You're not alone – tons of players across PC (Steam, GOG), Mac, and even PS5 have run headfirst into this annoying roadblock. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned veteran with a beastly rig or playing on a laptop; error 804 seems to strike indiscriminately. That sinking feeling when you see it? Yeah, I know it well. Had it wreck a potentially perfect run myself. This guide isn't some fluffy overview; it's the deep dive we all need to actually get past this bg3 error 804 nonsense and back to saving Faerûn without constant anxiety.
What Exactly Does "Failed to Save Game Error Code 804 BG3" Actually Mean?
Okay, before we start randomly deleting things (tempting, I know!), let's figure out what this beast actually is. Cryptic error codes are the worst, right? From what the community's pieced together and my own tinkering, the failed to save game error code 804 bg3 primarily screams one thing: conflict. Specifically, it's usually a conflict between the game client (Baldur's Gate 3 itself) and the cloud save service trying to do its job – be it Steam Cloud, GOG Galaxy Cloud Saves, Larian's own cross-save, or the PlayStation Network cloud. Think of it like two people trying to file the same document at the exact same moment. Chaos ensues. The files get stuck in limbo, permissions get messed up, and BG3 throws up its hands with error 804. Sometimes it happens mid-save, sometimes right when you load the game, sometimes even when trying to delete old saves. Annoyingly inconsistent, just like real-life gremlins.
Common Triggers You Might Recognize
- Cloud Sync Collisions: This is the big one. The game finishes saving locally, fires that save off to the cloud, but something hiccups during the upload/download verification. The local and cloud versions of your saves get out of whack, causing a standoff. This feels like the root cause for probably 70% of bg3 error 804 cases.
- Corrupted Save Files: Less frequent as the *primary* cause for 804 specifically, but definitely a consequence and amplifier. A save file that gets partially written due to a crash, disk error, or one of these sync conflicts can become corrupted. Attempting to load *or* overwrite that corrupted file can trigger the failed to save game error code 804 bg3.
- Overzealous Permissions: Sometimes, especially after a game update, Windows, macOS, or the PS5 system software might decide your game doesn't have the proper rights to write to its own save folder anymore. Security updates love doing this.
- Network Instability: A flaky internet connection while cloud sync is active can definitely trip things up, leading to partial uploads or failed verifications that manifest as the 804 error.
- Mod Mayhem: Ah, mods. Gotta love 'em until they break things. Script Extender updates, outdated mods conflicting with new BG3 patches, or mods that directly mess with save mechanics are prime suspects. Disabling them is often step zero for troubleshooting.
- Full Disk? Seriously? Yep, don't laugh. I've seen it happen, especially on smaller SSDs or consoles with limited space. If there's literally nowhere to put the save file, it fails. Simple as that.
Honestly, it often feels like bg3 error 804 is a symptom rather than *the* disease itself. Something upstream messed up, and 804 is just the panic button the game hits. The solutions often involve cleaning up the mess left behind by those upstream issues.
Your Step-by-Step Battle Plan Against Error Code 804
Alright, enough theory. Let's get practical. I've lost count of how many forum threads and Reddit posts I've scoured trying to fix this for myself and others. Below is the consolidated, battle-tested approach. Important: Start from the top! These are roughly ordered by complexity and disruption. Don't jump straight to nuking your save folder unless simpler stuff fails. And for the love of all that's holy in Faerûn, back up your save folder manually before you start messing with it! (I'll tell you exactly where to find it).
The Initial Quick Fixes (Try These First!)
Sometimes the simplest solutions actually work. Don't skip these thinking they're too basic!
1. The Classic Restart: Yeah, yeah, I know. "Turn it off and on again." Cliché, right? But seriously, restart your computer or console. Not sleep, not hibernate – a full restart. This clears out temporary glitches, resets network connections, and forces Steam/PSN/GOG to reinitialize their cloud services. I've seen restarting alone resolve a surprising number of bg3 error 804 reports, especially if it popped up suddenly after playing fine earlier.
2. Toggle Cloud Saves (Game Launch): Force the game to re-handshake with the cloud. Here’s how:
- PC (Steam): Go to your Steam Library. Right-click Baldur's Gate 3 > Properties. Go to the 'General' tab. UNCHECK "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization". Launch BG3. Load your game (if possible), make a NEW manual save (call it "Test Save"). Exit BG3. Go back into Properties and RE-CHECK "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization". Launch BG3 again. See if it syncs and if future saves work.
- PC (GOG): Open GOG Galaxy. Click BG3 > More (the three dots) > Manage Installation > Configure. Go to the 'Features' tab. Toggle OFF "Cloud Saves". Launch BG3, make a new test save. Exit. Toggle Cloud Saves back ON in GOG Galaxy. Relaunch.
- PS5: Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Console Storage. Find Baldur's Gate 3. Press the Options button and choose "Upload to Cloud Storage". Wait for it to finish (check the notifications). Then, go back and choose "Download from Cloud Storage". This forces a refresh. Also, ensure BG3 cross-save is ON within the game's options if you use it.
3. Check Your Internet: Sounds dumb, but is your connection actually stable? Run a speed test. Try disabling Wi-Fi and using Ethernet if possible, even temporarily. BG3 cloud saves don't need blazing speeds, but they do need a *stable* connection during the sync process. A momentary dropout can cause havoc.
4. Verify Game Files (PC): Corrupted game assets can sometimes interfere with the save system. Steam: Library > Right-click BG3 > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. GOG Galaxy: BG3 > More > Manage Installation > Verify / Repair. Let it do its thing.
5. Free Up Disk Space: Check your C: drive (or wherever your saves are stored) and your main drive for the game install. You need *at least* 10-20GB free on each, ideally more. Baldur's Gate 3 saves can get large, especially with lots of manual saves. Delete some junk files!
Give those a shot first. If you're still staring down that bg3 error 804 message, it's time to get our hands a bit dirtier.
Intermediate Tactics (Stepping it Up)
If the quick fixes didn't cut it, these are the next moves. Involves a bit more file management.
1. Manage Your Save Files (Crucial!): Too many saves can overwhelm the system, and corrupted ones are landmines.
- Delete Old Saves *IN GAME*: Launch BG3. Go to Load Game. Scroll through your list. DELETE old saves you don't need, especially quicksaves and autosaves beyond the last few. Focus on deleting saves made *around* the time the failed to save game error code 804 bg3 started. Sometimes a specific save file is the culprit. Do this *before* trying to make a new save. Less clutter helps the system breathe.
- Backup & Prune Your Save Folder (Manual): This is where you need to find the actual save folder location. BACK IT UP FIRST! Copy the entire folder somewhere safe (Desktop, Documents). Now, navigate inside:
Inside the `Story` folder, you'll see folders with long names (your save slots). You can manually delete save files here (files ending in `.lsv`), but I strongly recommend doing most deleting IN-GAME first. If you see files with `_0` suffixes next to normal ones, those are often temporary files BG3 creates during saving – if the game crashed, these might linger and cause issues. Deleting `_0` files while the game is *closed* is sometimes helpful. Be cautious.Platform/Store Save Folder Location Steam (Windows) C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\Story
(Tip: Paste%LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3into File Explorer address bar)GOG (Windows) C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\Story
(Same path as Steam)macOS /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Application Support/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public/Savegames/Story
(Finder: Go > Go to Folder, paste the path)PlayStation 5 (PS5) Console Storage: Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Console Storage > Baldur's Gate 3
Cloud Storage: Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Cloud Storage > Baldur's Gate 3
2. Disable Cross-Save (If Enabled): Found in BG3's in-game options under 'Gameplay'. This feature syncs saves between PC and consoles via Larian's servers. It's cool, but it's another layer that can conflict with Steam/GOG/PSN cloud saves. Turn it off, restart the game, see if you can save. If it works, try re-enabling it later.
3. Clear Download Cache (Steam Specific): Steam > Settings > Downloads > "Clear Download Cache" (bottom). Restart Steam afterward. This helps if Steam's internal tracking of cloud files is messed up.
4. Update EVERYTHING: Graphics drivers, Windows/macOS, Steam/GOG Galaxy client, network drivers. Outdated drivers, especially storage or network ones, can contribute to weird file handling issues. Don't forget the game itself – ensure BG3 is patched to the latest version. Larian *has* released patches aimed at improving save stability.
Still getting that annoying popup? Okay, time for the heavy artillery. Dealing with a persistent failed to save game error code 804 bg3 often means tackling potential sync corruption head-on.
Advanced Maneuvers (Resolving Deep Sync Corruption)
1. The Nuclear Option: Full Cloud & Local Save Reset (Use with Caution!): This forces a total cloud resync from scratch. WARNING: This involves deleting saves locally and potentially from the cloud. BACK UP YOUR SAVES MANUALLY FIRST! Ideally, do this when you have a known good recent save backed up externally.
- PC Steam:
- Fully exit BG3 and Steam.
- Navigate to your BG3 save folder (see table above). BACKUP THE ENTIRE FOLDER!
- Delete everything INSIDE the `Story` folder (the `.lsv` files and the folders they sit in). DO NOT delete the `Story` folder itself.
- Go Steam > Library > Right-click BG3 > Properties > General > UNCHECK "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization".
- Launch Steam and BG3. The game will act like it's your first time (settings might reset). Create a NEW character or load tutorial, make a manual save (e.g., "Cloud Reset Test"). Exit BG3.
- Go back to BG3 Properties in Steam, RE-CHECK "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization".
- Launch BG3 again. Steam will likely warn about a conflict between local and cloud saves (since cloud now has nothing, and local has your test save). Choose "Upload to the Steam Cloud" to push your local saves.
- If successful, exit BG3. Now, carefully copy your *backed up* important save files/folders back into the now-empty `Story` folder. Overwrite when prompted. Launch BG3. Hopefully, it syncs your old saves back down from the cloud (or recognizes the local ones). Attempt to load an older save and then make a new save. Pray.
- PC GOG: Similar process. Disable Cloud Saves in GOG Galaxy. Delete saves locally (after backup!). Launch BG3, make test save. Exit. Enable Cloud Saves. Relaunch BG3 (might need to tell it which save set to keep). Copy backed-up saves back in. Relaunch.
- PS5:
- Go Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Console Storage.
- Find Baldur's Gate 3, press Options, choose "Delete". Confirm.
- Go to Saved Data (PS5) > Cloud Storage. Find BG3, press Options, choose "Delete" (This removes the cloud copy too!). Confirm. THIS WILL DELETE ALL SAVES ON CLOUD AND CONSOLE!
- Launch BG3. It will create fresh local saves and sync a blank slate to the cloud.
- If you previously uploaded saves manually *before* step 2, you *might* be able to go back to Cloud Storage downloads and download an older manual backup you made. No guarantees.
2. Run as Administrator (Windows): Right-click the BG3 executable (usually `bg3.exe` or `bg3_dx11.exe` in the game's `bin` folder) and choose "Run as administrator". Grant permissions if asked. This ensures the game has maximum rights to write to its save folder and registry settings. Sometimes permissions get subtly messed up by Windows updates or AV software.
3. Disable Overlays & Background Apps: Discord overlay, Steam overlay, GeForce Experience overlay, Xbox Game Bar, Razer Cortex, MSI Afterburner stats... These can sometimes hook into the game process and interfere with file I/O operations like saving. Disable them all temporarily via their respective settings. Close unnecessary background apps (especially chat clients, torrents, intensive updaters). Launch BG3 cleanly and try saving.
4. Check Antivirus/Firewall: Security software can be overprotective. Temporarily disable your real-time antivirus protection and firewall. Try saving in BG3. Important: Only do this briefly and remember to turn it back on immediately after testing! If it works, you'll need to add exceptions for BG3 (`bg3.exe`, `bg3_dx11.exe`) and possibly the save folder location in your AV/Firewall settings.
Prevention: How to Avoid the Dreaded Error Code 804 in the Future
Fixing it is one thing, but stopping it from happening again? That's the dream. Based on the chaos this error causes, here's what helps minimize your risk:
- Manual Save Discipline: Don't rely solely on quicksaves! Get into the habit of making frequent, distinct manual saves ("BeforeGoblinCamp", "AfterUnderdark", etc.). Rotate through 3-5 manual save slots. This gives you fallback points if one save gets corrupted and reduces the chance of the quicksave/autosave slot itself becoming corrupted and blocking saves entirely. Seriously, it saved my bacon more than once after encountering a bg3 error 804 scare.
- Prune Your Saves Regularly: Every few play sessions, go into the Load Game menu and delete old saves you'll never use again. Keep maybe 10-15 manual saves max, plus the last few autosaves/quicksaves. Less clutter = less chance for conflicts. Do this *in-game*.
- Manage Cloud Saves Wisely:
- Close BG3 properly using the in-game Quit option before shutting down your PC/console. This gives it time to finish syncing.
- If your internet is spotty, consider temporarily disabling cloud saves *before* launching BG3 for that session (via Steam/GOG settings). Just remember to turn it back on later and sync manually if needed (though manual cloud sync can be tricky).
- On PS5, occasionally do a manual upload of your save to PSN cloud (Settings > Saved Data > Console Storage > BG3 > Upload to Cloud Storage). Provides a safety net.
- Update Promptly (But Cautiously): Install BG3 patches when they come out – Larian does fix save-related bugs. However, maybe wait a day or two after a major patch drops to see if there are widespread save corruption reports before updating a critical campaign. Back up saves manually before patching!
- Mod Responsibly:
- Keep mods updated, especially the Script Extender (which breaks with almost every patch).
- Back up saves BEFORE adding or removing major mods.
- Use a mod manager (like BG3 Mod Manager or Vortex) for easier management and conflict detection.
- If failed to save game error code 804 bg3 starts right after installing a new mod, that mod is suspect numero uno.
- Maintain Disk Health: Run occasional disk checks (Windows: `chkdsk`; macOS: Disk Utility First Aid). Ensure you always have ample free space.
BG3 Error Code 804 FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Let's tackle some specific worries and scenarios players constantly ask about when facing the failed to save game error code 804 bg3.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q: Does error code 804 mean my saves are permanently lost? | A: Not necessarily! Often, the saves are still intact locally or on the cloud, just stuck in a conflict state. The key is NOT to panic-delete everything immediately. Follow the troubleshooting steps, especially backing up your save folder FIRST before cleaning or resetting. The nuclear options (full cloud/local reset) carry a risk of loss if backups aren't made, but often the saves themselves are recoverable if handled carefully. |
| Q: I fixed it once, but error 804 keeps coming back! Why? | A: This is frustratingly common and points to an underlying instability. The most likely culprits are:
|
| Q: Is error 804 specific to Baldur's Gate 3? | A: Yes and no. The specific code "804" seems unique to Baldur's Gate 3. However, the *type* of error – save failures due to cloud conflicts or file corruption – is common in many games reliant on cloud saving (especially large, complex RPGs). Other games just use different error codes or messages. |
| Q: Does it happen more on PC or PS5? | A: Reports are widespread on both platforms. The core issue (cloud sync conflict) is platform-agnostic. However, the specific troubleshooting steps differ (e.g., verifying files on PC vs rebuilding database on PS5). PS5 players sometimes report additional steps like disabling cross-save specifically within BG3 settings. |
| Q: I'm on PS5 and tried everything! What else can I do? | A: If the cloud/local reset didn't work, try rebuilding the PS5 database (Safe Mode option #5). This cleans up the file system index without deleting saves/games. Also, ensure you don't have the game suspended (in rest mode) while it's trying to sync – fully close the game before rest mode. Check for system software updates relentlessly. If all else fails, contacting PlayStation Support *might* help, but they often just suggest the reset steps we've covered. |
| Q: Will Larian fix this permanently? | A: Larian Studios is generally very responsive to bug reports and has released patches addressing save stability in the past. The existence of bg3 error 804 months after launch suggests it's a complex underlying issue tied to their save/cloud sync architecture. While they haven't announced a specific "804 fix" patch, it's highly likely they are aware and working on improvements. Keep reporting the bug through official channels! Patience is key, but it's definitely annoying it persists. |
| Q: Are certain game actions more likely to trigger error 804? | A: Not definitively. Players report it happening during manual saves, quicksaves, autosaves, and even when trying to load or delete saves. It seems more related to the *state* of the save system (cloud sync health, file conflicts) than what you're doing in-game at that exact moment. Though, areas with heavy scripting or transitions *might* coincide if they cause momentary hitches that interrupt the save process. |
Living with Baldur's Gate 3 (and Its Quirks)
Look, Baldur's Gate 3 is an incredible game. One of the best RPGs in years, hands down. But man, technical hiccups like the failed to save game error code 804 bg3 can really sour the experience. It feels especially brutal in a game where you invest dozens, even hundreds of hours into a single campaign. Losing progress isn't just frustrating; it can feel like a personal loss after such deep immersion.
While we wait (and hope) for Larian to squash this bug entirely, the strategies in this guide are your best weapons. Start simple, back up those saves religiously, and work your way up the troubleshooting ladder if needed. Don't let error 804 steal your enjoyment of Faerûn. Be methodical, be patient (deep breaths!), and you'll usually find a way back into the game.
If you've got a particularly stubborn case or found another magic bullet solution not mentioned here, share it below! Helping each other navigate these glitches is what keeps the adventure going. Now go save your game properly this time!
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