Need Help Converting Unreal Engine .SAV File – uesave Error

Assistance Required for Converting Unreal Engine .SAV Files with uesave.exe: Troubleshooting & Solutions

If you’ve encountered issues while attempting to convert Unreal Engine (.sav) files using uesave.exe, you’re not alone. Many users face challenges when trying to extract data such as player progress or map information from these save files, particularly when errors arise during the process. This article aims to shed light on common problems associated with Unreal Engine save files, interpret typical error messages, and suggest practical solutions to help you recover valuable game data.

Understanding Unreal Engine Save Files (.sav)

Unreal Engine (UE) employs specific formats for save files, often designed to be secure or encrypted to prevent tampering. The .sav files can contain critical data like player progress, game settings, or map states. However, extracting this data isn’t always straightforward, especially when files are encrypted or partially corrupted.

Common Challenges and Error Messages

One frequent hurdle involves the use of tools like uesave.exe, a utility developed to parse and convert UE save files. Users often report error messages similar to:

Found non-standard magic: [3c, 00, 00, 00] (<) expected: GVAS, continuing to parse... Error: at offset 181336: io error: failed to fill whole buffer

Decoding the Error:

Non-standard magic number: The [3c, 00, 00, 00] sequence indicates that the file’s header does not match the expected “GVAS” identifier, which could suggest that the file is encrypted, uses a non-standard format, or is corrupted.
IO Error at offset: The failure to fill the buffer at a specific byte offset often points to incomplete or damaged data, preventing successful parsing.

Possible Causes

Encryption: Many newer UE games encrypt save files to prevent tampering, which uesave.exe may not support.
Corruption: If the save file was improperly saved or transferred, parts of it might be corrupt.
Version Mismatch: Using tools incompatible with the specific UE version or game build can result in parsing errors.