Football Manager 2024 Save Won’t Load Issue Fix

Football Manager 2024 is an immensely popular football management simulation game that offers players an immersive experience in managing their own football team. However, like any other game, Football Manager 2024 is not immune to bugs and errors that can hinder the overall gaming experience. One such issue that many players have been facing is the inability to load their save game files. If you’re also encountering this frustrating problem, fret not, as we have prepared a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to help you fix the Football Manager 2024 save won’t load issue.

Possible Causes for Save Loading Issues

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a look at some of the potential causes for the save loading problem in Football Manager 2024:

1. Outdated game version: Running an outdated version of the game can lead to compatibility issues and prevent the save files from loading properly.
2. Insufficient disk space: If the drive where your FM24 saves are stored is full, it can prevent the game from recognizing and loading the save files.
3. Corrupted save files: Save files can become corrupted due to various reasons, making them unreadable by the game.
4. Antivirus or firewall interference: Overly aggressive antivirus or firewall settings can sometimes block the game from loading the save files.
5. Adding new leagues mid-season: A bug has been identified in Football Manager 2024 that can corrupt saves if players add a league in the middle of the season.

Now, let’s move on to the solutions to fix the save loading issue in Football Manager 2024.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Relaunch Football Manager 2024

The first and simplest step you can take is to exit and relaunch the Football Manager 2024 game. Sometimes, a fresh start can resolve startup or save game loading issues.

2. Check Available Storage Space

Ensure that the drive where your FM24 saves are stored has sufficient free space. If the drive is full, remove unnecessary files to make room for the game to recognize and load the save files.

3. Check for Auto-Backup Saved File

If your save file becomes corrupted, there’s a chance that an auto-backup saved file exists. Navigate to the save folder for Football Manager 2024 and look for a file named “last save overwrite backup.fm” or something similar. Try using this backup save file instead and see if it retains most of your progress.

4. Update Football Manager 2024

Make sure that you’re running the latest version of Football Manager 2024. Developers often release updates to address bugs and improve compatibility. Follow the instructions below to update the game based on your platform:

For Steam:

1. Open Steam and go to your library.
2. Locate Football Manager 2024 in your library.
3. If an update is available, click on the update button to install it.
4. Wait for the update to complete, then restart the game.

For Epic Games:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your library.
2. Find Football Manager 2024 and make sure the auto-update option is enabled.
3. The game will automatically update when a new version is available.

For PC Game Pass:

1. Open the Xbox app on your PC.
2. Go to My Library and select Football Manager 2024.
3. Choose More options (…) and click on Manage.
4. Select Files and click on Check for updates.

For Microsoft Store:

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your PC.
2. Click on Library.
3. Look for Football Manager 2024 and click on Update if available.

For Xbox Consoles:

1. Turn on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
2. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the menu.
3. Scroll to the right and select Settings.
4. Go to Updates & downloads.
5. Enable the options for keeping your console and games up to date.

For PlayStation Consoles:

1. Turn on your PS4 or PS5 console and go to the Home screen.
2. Navigate to the Games tab.
3. Scroll down and select Football Manager 2024.
4. Press the Options button on your controller.
5. Choose Check for Update from the dropdown menu.

For Nintendo Switch:

1. Go to the home screen of your Nintendo Switch.
2. Select the Football Manager 2024 game.
3. Press the Plus button on your controller.
4. Choose Software Update from the dropdown menu.
5. Select Using the Internet as a Source.
6. Wait for the update process to complete, then restart your console.

5. Verify and Repair Game Files

If the save loading issue persists, you can try verifying and repairing the game files. This process checks for any corrupted or missing files and replaces them with the correct versions. Here’s how to verify and repair game files on different platforms:

For Steam:

1. Launch Steam and go to your library.
2. Right-click on Football Manager 2024 and select Properties.
3. Go to the Local Files tab.
4. Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
5. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your PC.

For PC Game Pass:

1. Open the Xbox app on your PC.
2. Go to My Library and select Football Manager 2024.
3. Choose More options (…) and click on Manage.
4. Select Files and choose Verify and Repair.
5. Wait for the process to complete, then relaunch the game.

For Epic Games Launcher:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your library.
2. Click on Football Manager 2024, then click on the three dots icon.
3. Select Manage and click on Verify.
4. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your PC.

6. Try Deleting the Preferences Folder

If none of the previous steps work, you can try deleting the preferences folder for Football Manager 2024. This folder contains user preferences and settings for the game. By removing it, a new preferences folder will be created with default settings. Follow these steps to delete the preferences folder:

1. Navigate to the installation directory of Football Manager 2024 on your PC.
2. Locate the “Sports Interactive” folder.
3. Inside the “Sports Interactive” folder, find the “Preferences” folder.
4. Delete the “Preferences” folder.
5. Launch the game and try loading your saved progress data.

7. Avoid Adding New Leagues Mid-Season

As mentioned earlier, adding new leagues in the middle of the season can cause save file corruption in Football Manager 2024. To avoid this issue, refrain from adding new leagues until a fix is provided by the developers.

8. Try Loading the Previous Saved Data

If you suspect that the recently saved game progress data is causing the loading issue, try loading a previously saved data file instead. This can help determine if the problem lies with the most recent save or if it’s a more widespread issue.

9. Add FM24 as an Exception in Antivirus

Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with the game’s files and prevent them from loading properly. To ensure that Football Manager 2024 is not being blocked by your antivirus, add the game as an exception in its settings. The steps to do this may vary depending on your antivirus software, but here’s a general guide:

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Go to the settings or preferences section.
3. Look for an option related to exceptions or exclusions.
4. Add Football Manager 2024 as an exception by browsing for the game’s executable file.
5. Save the changes and restart the game.

10. Update the System Software

Outdated system software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with games. Make sure that your operating system is up to date to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. Here’s how to update the system software on different platforms:

For PlayStation:

1. Go to Settings and select System.
2. Choose System Software and then System Software Update and Settings.
3. If an update is available, select Update Available.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
5. Restart the console to apply the changes.

For Windows:

1. Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Check for updates under Windows Update.
4. If an update is available, click on Download and Install.
5. Wait for the update process to complete.
6. Restart your computer to install the software update.

For Xbox:

1. Press the Home button on the Xbox console to open the Dashboard menu.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select All Settings and choose System.
4. Select Updates and then Update Console (if available).
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update process.

11. Reinstall Football Manager 2024

If all else fails, you can try reinstalling Football Manager 2024. This will ensure that all game files are fresh and free from any potential corruption. Be sure to back up your save files before uninstalling the game to avoid losing your progress.

Once you have reinstalled the game, try loading your save files again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Conclusion

The Football Manager 2024 save won’t load issue can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting steps provided in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to keep your game and system software up to date, check for sufficient disk space, and consider adding FM24 as an exception in your antivirus software. If all else fails, reach out to the game’s developers for further assistance. Happy gaming!