The PS5 Can Damage a Game's Save Files
A recurring problem for some Sony console owners is that their saved games become unreadable. This failure, which blocks progress in a title, is often related to abruptly interrupting the system or errors when syncing data to the cloud. 🎮
Why Data Gets Corrupted on Your PS5
The main cause is usually turning off the console unexpectedly. This includes power outages or manually disconnecting the device while the save icon is active on screen. Another common source is failures in the PlayStation Plus service, when automatic synchronization with online storage does not complete correctly and generates a conflict between files.
Typical Scenarios That Cause the Error:- Interrupting the console's power supply during an automatic or manual save.
- Closing the game application from the main menu while the system is writing data.
- A conflict between the local file and the cloud copy that is not resolved properly.
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Measures to Protect Your Saved Games
Prevention is key. Configure your PS5 so it does not enter rest mode during background activities, such as uploading saves. Never disconnect the console if you see the disk symbol or the "Saving..." message. Performing manual backups frequently is the safest method.
Essential Preventive Steps:- Adjust the power saving settings to disable automatic shutdown during background tasks.
- Periodically copy your games to a properly formatted USB drive.
- If using the cloud, verify that synchronization completes fully before turning off the device.
Recovering Progress If the Damage Is Already Done
If the console reports a damaged file, do not try to save over it. Completely close the game and restart the system. Then, access the storage management menu to restore from your cloud or USB backup. If you don't have a backup, deleting only the problematic file may cause the game to generate a new one upon launch, although you will lose all progress since the last valid save. Patience is your best ally in these cases. 💾