Saved my old character when all other options failed

[AFK4LYF]

Still lots of new comments from others having this issue. I've gone ahead and updated and reposted this to a formal guide to get better visibility
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1965689909

--old post--
It's clear at this point that many people have a situation with their save file being too old. I myself hadn't played since 2018 and was anticipating the Iceborne expansion to start again. Unfortunately, some people found that, during that time in between, there was a MHW update that updated the save file format.

Iceborne added yet another save file conversion, but didn't consider the earlier one that was needed. If you've been playing since that first save update, you're safe. If not, you could be greeted with the message "Failed to read saved data for Monster Hunter: Iceborne. Create new save data?", even if you didn't buy the expansion.

While some made the mistake of clicking 'Yes', others have hunted for other fixes which sometimes work and sometimes don't. I tried the save file transfer, no mods installed, unchecking the Iceborne DLC, and nothing worked. So, I did the next best thing. Roll back.

And it worked :)

First, follow the rollback guide. (I did uncheck the Iceborne related dlc in Properties before doing this, so you may want to do the same. Just make sure to recheck them after updating again)

Original rollback guide - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1086279994

Command to run in the Steam console:
download_depot 582010 582011 5080591846956782264

Downloaded files will be in:
[steam install folder]\steamapps\content\app_582010\depot_582011

Just move them to your MHW install folder and replace any files when prompted.

Personal Notes -- I only needed to roll back to the last pre-Iceborne update from December 24, 2019. If you want to roll back further, just follow the instructions in the original rollback guide. And remember, once you run the console command, just check your Downloads area for traffic. You will not actually see the download in your queue. Just wait until the traffic drops back to zero and it should be finished.

I didn't need to take any measures to prevent Steam from updating it again after moving the files over to the main game directory. Just transfer and start the game right away. Once you are past the title it should have already completed the necessary save file conversion. Despite the warning that an update was required, I still loaded up my character for good measure. I was in the tradeyard for a few seconds before the game crashed back to to Windows. Either way, the work was done.

Finally, you'll need to force the update back to the latest version. Simply go to the MHW Properties in Steam and select Verify Integrity under the Local Files tab.

At last, enjoy the game without having to start over from scratch. I hope this trick works for everyone else.

[Sansire]

Anybody else can confirm that?

[AFK4LYF]

Originally posted by Sansire:

Anybody else can confirm that?

Just got some feedback from a couple of other players on the guide page that I posted. Looks like we're having good success with it. Give it a try!

[Sansire]

Too much effort. Refunded.

[AFK4LYF]

Originally posted by Sansire:

Too much effort. Refunded.

Which does raise one question that I've had. The update was sent to everyone who owns MHW, even without Iceborne. Did you experience the same 'Failed to read saved data' error, and did loading the game after the refund allow you to use your old save?

[Sansire]

Yes i had that error after installed the DLC, and i still have it after refunding the DLC. I also had it on deactivated DLC mode. My save game in the cloud is from 2018, 9MB.

[CrusadeEclipse]

This should be pinned!

[storypup]

send me a backup of your character save file cause mine is toast

[AFK4LYF]

Originally posted by Sansire:

Yes i had that error after installed the DLC, and i still have it after refunding the DLC. I also had it on deactivated DLC mode. My save game in the cloud is from 2018, 9MB.

You're definitely safe since the old save is backed up. It would be a good idea to download it somewhere for safe-keeping. Capcom really should have considered this when they pushed that update on everyone. If you want to get back into the game before Capcom releases a fix, assuming they will, go ahead and try the rollback method.

[Pyoooonnn]

Worked for me

[Tiasmoon]

Originally posted by AFK4LYF:

Originally posted by Sansire:

Too much effort. Refunded.

Which does raise one question that I've had. The update was sent to everyone who owns MHW, even without Iceborne. Did you experience the same 'Failed to read saved data' error, and did loading the game after the refund allow you to use your old save?

The error still shows up. I've had the error even without owning Iceborne.

[AFK4LYF]

Originally posted by Tiasmoon:

Originally posted by AFK4LYF:

Which does raise one question that I've had. The update was sent to everyone who owns MHW, even without Iceborne. Did you experience the same 'Failed to read saved data' error, and did loading the game after the refund allow you to use your old save?

The error still shows up. I've had the error even without owning Iceborne.

That's not uncommon. They modified the base game for everyone, so a lot of old save files won't be recognized in the current MHW version.

[AfLIcTeD]

They may fix it to account for old saves, so hold onto those saves just in case.

[Tanz]

I don't have Iceborne but still got the 'Failed to read saved data' error since I hadn't played since 2018. Thankfully this fix worked for me (and strangely my game didn't crash while in the old version, granted I was just running around the tradeyard for a few minutes) . Thanks for the fix OP.

[Sansire]

I have fear that this fix will ban me someday. I think i wait.

[AFK4LYF]

Originally posted by Sansire:

I have fear that this fix will ban me someday. I think i wait.

This is definitely not something you'd get banned for. Basically what this fix does is use an older version of MHW to update your save file. That way it's ready to be updated a second time by the latest version. Capcom won't ban you for not having the latest version of MHW. At worst you'll get a "You need to update to play online" notification.
Trust me, this is actually a very legitimate way to update your save file.