Save issues
Save files are easily and permanently lost. Before troubleshooting, copy any existing save files from the card to a computer. Many "fixes" overwrite saves, so a backup is your safety net.
Saves Not Working
Lost progress, saves that vanish on reboot, or a crash at the save screen are among the most frustrating DS problems. The usual causes are a wrong save type, a failing card, or a write-protected setup. Work through these phases.
- Back up first. Copy the game's save file from the SD card to a computer so nothing you try can destroy it.
- Check the save type. Confirm the loader detected the correct save type for the game. A mismatch is the leading cause of saves that fail or disappear.
- Verify write access. Make sure the microSD card is not write-protected, not full, and is genuine. Counterfeit cards silently lose written data.
- Inspect the save file. Confirm the save file exists where the loader expects it and is not zero bytes. A missing or empty file forces a fresh start each boot.
- Test on a fresh card. If saves still fail, try a known-good card to rule out a worn or fake one.
Recovering Progress
If you have a backup of a working save, restoring it usually brings progress back. Going forward, copy your saves to a computer regularly; a single corrupted card can otherwise erase months of play.