Continuous "Failed to Save Game" Errors when overwriting previous saves.

[Ododaz]

The title basically explains my problem but on the most recent version of Kenshi whenever I try to overwrite a save, including quicksaves and autosaves, the game gives me a "Failed to Save Game" error. Which normally wouldn't be too much of a problem as I could just try to save again but what happens is that it completely breaks the game. I can't save at all after the error nor start a new game, and I can't even exit the game without terminating the process in task manager. It also makes the file inaccessible to me (the Admin of my pc) even though I have used both fixes listed in the pinned thread. At this point it is getting extremely infuriating and making the game much less enjoyable.

If you need anymore files please let me know.

[Shidan]

Generally this kind of error is caused by having the game installed on the C drive, in the program files folder. Windows really doesn't like it when programs make changes to files in there, and often times refuses to allow them to. Permission issues are frequent.

It's generally suggest you have the game installed off the C drive, or at the very least outside of program files. I used to experience this issue myself, and once I moved the installation outside of the program files folder (kept it on C since that's my SSD) it worked fine, haven't had an issue in years now.

[Ododaz]

Generally this kind of error is caused by having the game installed on the C drive, in the program files folder. Windows really doesn't like it when programs make changes to files in there, and often times refuses to allow them to. Permission issues are frequent.

It's generally suggest you have the game installed off the C drive, or at the very least outside of program files. I used to experience this issue myself, and once I moved the installation outside of the program files folder (kept it on C since that's my SSD) it worked fine, haven't had an issue in years now.

The game isn't installed on my SSD (C:), it is installed on my hard drive (D:). So don't think this is the issue. Thought I fixed it yesterday but after turning my PC on and off again I'm getting the same error. Seems to be when overwriting saves from the previous session of play. So far my fix is just deleting the autosave/quicksave files and creating a new manual save to keep overwriting. Still a pain because I have to restart my PC to get access to files so wish I had a better solution.

[Atlas]

As of right now the "fixes" for this are pretty hit or miss. I've been cataloging and recording all versions of this bug for the last month or so.
As shidan stated above this is a windows problem and the developers are aware of this issue. As of right now the developers are also in the process of discussing moving the save file and how it is stored among other ways to hopefully fix this issue.

The steps below MIGHT help.


Fixing the crashing and save permissions is going to be a pain in the rear but i'll try to walk you through the easiest route.

-Turn OFF your pc for about 10 minutes (This is called a cold reboot)
-Turn your pc back on and let it start up fully. (log in and let it idle for about 2 minutes while everything starts up)
-Do not open any other programs. If you have any other programs that automatically start (like skype or an external antivirus like norton, mcafee etc) Completely close them out. Every program except steam.
-Start kenshi and let it idle on the main menu for about a minute
-Import your most recent save, as soon as the game pops up and starts to load PAUSE THE GAME, let the game load fully
-unpause for about 30 seconds and then pause again
-try to make a NEW manual save.

-IF game does not crash AND saves than the problem SHOULD be resolved.

--IF game crashes this is a little more tedious
--Copy your mods.cfg to a secure place (like your desktop)
-Zip up your most recent saves, autosaves, and quicksaves all into one folder (Make copies)
-uninstall kenshi
-go into where kenshi was in your pc files and delete anything and everything remaining
-reinstall kenshi (fresh install)
-restart your pc
-let the pc load
-Start kenshi and try to make a new game, turn ALL settings to minimum or OFF,
-once the new game is loaded fully, try to make a new save.
--IF the issue is fixed with crashes and saving, unzip your old saves and put them back in the kenshi/saves folder and replace the new empty mods.cfg with your old one and then import your most recent (old) save.

--IF the issue is not fixed follow the steps outlined here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/233860/d ... 764473172/
Or for quick reading the steps below are the ones included in the troubleshooting guide above.

This happens when Windows believes you aren't allowed to create or edit files in your Kenshi folder and can happen even on Administrator accounts. Seems more common after the last major Windows update (May/June 2020). To fix this change the ownership and permissions of the Kenshi folder by following the steps below.

Take Ownership
You need to take ownership of folders and files on the system. Even if you log in as an Administrator, you may not have access to change or install files. The Program Files folder is set to the Trusted Installer group, separate from Administrator access.
Open Windows File Explorer.
Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
Select Properties then the Security tab.
Click Advanced. This opens an Advanced Security Settings screen.
Next to the Owner, click Edit or Change.
To change the owner, select the Advanced button to select from a list. Or you can type in the user account name in the "Enter the object name to select" box. Click Ok.
Select the check-box to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. This appears under the Owner you changed to.
Click Apply. Wait until completed.
When it finishes, click OK on all boxes to close everything.

Fix Permissions
With the files and folders claimed by your account, you need to apply permissions changes.
Open Windows File Explorer.
Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
Select Properties then the Security tab.
Click Advanced and click Change Permissions.
Select Administrators or your account. Click Edit.
On the Permissions screen, click Add.
Change the Applies To drop-down menu to This folder, subfolders and files.
Select the option for Full Control.
Click Apply. Wait for it to complete.
Close all screens and restart your computer.

[Ododaz]

As of right now the "fixes" for this are pretty hit or miss. I've been cataloging and recording all versions of this bug for the last month or so.
As shidan stated above this is a windows problem and the developers are aware of this issue. As of right now the developers are also in the process of discussing moving the save file and how it is stored among other ways to hopefully fix this issue.

The steps below MIGHT help.


Fixing the crashing and save permissions is going to be a pain in the rear but i'll try to walk you through the easiest route.

-Turn OFF your pc for about 10 minutes (This is called a cold reboot)
-Turn your pc back on and let it start up fully. (log in and let it idle for about 2 minutes while everything starts up)
-Do not open any other programs. If you have any other programs that automatically start (like skype or an external antivirus like norton, mcafee etc) Completely close them out. Every program except steam.
-Start kenshi and let it idle on the main menu for about a minute
-Import your most recent save, as soon as the game pops up and starts to load PAUSE THE GAME, let the game load fully
-unpause for about 30 seconds and then pause again
-try to make a NEW manual save.

-IF game does not crash AND saves than the problem SHOULD be resolved.

--IF game crashes this is a little more tedious
--Copy your mods.cfg to a secure place (like your desktop)
-Zip up your most recent saves, autosaves, and quicksaves all into one folder (Make copies)
-uninstall kenshi
-go into where kenshi was in your pc files and delete anything and everything remaining
-reinstall kenshi (fresh install)
-restart your pc
-let the pc load
-Start kenshi and try to make a new game, turn ALL settings to minimum or OFF,
-once the new game is loaded fully, try to make a new save.
--IF the issue is fixed with crashes and saving, unzip your old saves and put them back in the kenshi/saves folder and replace the new empty mods.cfg with your old one and then import your most recent (old) save.

--IF the issue is not fixed follow the steps outlined here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/233860/d ... 764473172/
Or for quick reading the steps below are the ones included in the troubleshooting guide above.

This happens when Windows believes you aren't allowed to create or edit files in your Kenshi folder and can happen even on Administrator accounts. Seems more common after the last major Windows update (May/June 2020). To fix this change the ownership and permissions of the Kenshi folder by following the steps below.

Take Ownership
You need to take ownership of folders and files on the system. Even if you log in as an Administrator, you may not have access to change or install files. The Program Files folder is set to the Trusted Installer group, separate from Administrator access.
Open Windows File Explorer.
Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
Select Properties then the Security tab.
Click Advanced. This opens an Advanced Security Settings screen.
Next to the Owner, click Edit or Change.
To change the owner, select the Advanced button to select from a list. Or you can type in the user account name in the "Enter the object name to select" box. Click Ok.
Select the check-box to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. This appears under the Owner you changed to.
Click Apply. Wait until completed.
When it finishes, click OK on all boxes to close everything.

Fix Permissions
With the files and folders claimed by your account, you need to apply permissions changes.
Open Windows File Explorer.
Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
Select Properties then the Security tab.
Click Advanced and click Change Permissions.
Select Administrators or your account. Click Edit.
On the Permissions screen, click Add.
Change the Applies To drop-down menu to This folder, subfolders and files.
Select the option for Full Control.
Click Apply. Wait for it to complete.
Close all screens and restart your computer.

Only ran into crashes once and reinstalling worked for me. But the bigger problem is just the permissions in the folders being elevated beyond the owner of the files. The solution I have found is before playing delete all saves other then the most current manual save (if not manual the game will break when it finally tries to overwrite the quicksave/autosave) load up the game and DO NOT OVERWRITE the old manual save. If you just create a new manual save you can keep overwriting it and the autosaves will keep working even if overwriting. This will continue until you turn off your PC, I've found closing the game but not turning off PC doesn't cause the problem, so you don't have to repeat this fix until you turn off your PC. If you can't delete the save files try opening them and deleting the files inside first, if you still can't do that to all the save restart your PC and that should fix it. Just make sure you delete the saves before you first boot up Kenshi.

[Ododaz]

Also if you try to manual save over a save that has the permissions bug it will delete all files within the save. Watch out.

[Atlas]

Also if you try to manual save over a save that has the permissions bug it will delete all files within the save. Watch out.

As of the most recent update this problem Should be fixed. There is now also an option to save into a different folder which should alleviate the issue