[GH-ISSUE #3397] [GAME BUG]: Save data corruption in multiple games due to param.sfo becoming empty #1043

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opened 2026-02-27 21:09:37 +03:00 by kerem · 10 comments
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Originally created by @kalaposfos13 on GitHub (Aug 6, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues/3397

Checklist (we expect you to perform these steps before opening the issue)

  • I have searched for a similar issue in this repository and did not find one.
  • I am using an official build obtained from releases or updated one of those builds using its in-app updater.
  • I have re-dumped the game and performed a clean install without mods and the issue is still present.
  • I have disabled all patches and cheats and the issue is still present.
  • I have all the required system modules installed.

Describe the Bug

For some reason, PROFILE/sce_sys/param.sfo has been wiped to 0 bytes for the second time now for me (I for some reason still have a backup of my old bricked save, and after I looked into what went wrong when my save had issues again I found out that said backup had the same problem), leading to a crash in trying to parse its header (you can't really read 8 bytes from an empty file)

Reproduction Steps

I have no idea what caused these two instances of the corruption, but it is possible to manually reproduce it by wiping savedata/1/CUSAXXXXX/PROFILES/sce_sys/param.sfo yourself, or doing this with any param.sfo in any save.

Specify OS Version

Arch Linux

CPU

Intel 12700h Laptop CPU

GPU

nVidia 3060 Laptop GPU

Amount of RAM in GB

32 GB

Amount of VRAM in GB

6 GB

Log File

Log of the game saving normally:
CUSA00003.log

Log and callstack of trying to load the bricked save:
CUSA00003.log
callstack.txt

Originally created by @kalaposfos13 on GitHub (Aug 6, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues/3397 ### Checklist (we expect you to perform these steps before opening the issue) - [x] I have searched for a similar issue in this repository and did not find one. - [x] I am using an official build obtained from [releases](https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/releases) or updated one of those builds using its in-app updater. - [x] I have re-dumped the game and performed a clean install without mods and the issue is still present. - [x] I have disabled all patches and cheats and the issue is still present. - [x] I have all the required [system modules](https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/wiki/I.-Quick-start-%5BUsers%5D#4-adding-modules) installed. ### Describe the Bug For some reason, PROFILE/sce_sys/param.sfo has been wiped to 0 bytes for the second time now for me (I for some reason still have a backup of my old bricked save, and after I looked into what went wrong when my save had issues again I found out that said backup had the same problem), leading to a crash in trying to parse its header (you can't really read 8 bytes from an empty file) ### Reproduction Steps I have no idea what caused these two instances of the corruption, but it is possible to manually reproduce it by wiping savedata/1/CUSAXXXXX/PROFILES/sce_sys/param.sfo yourself, or doing this with any param.sfo in any save. ### Specify OS Version Arch Linux ### CPU Intel 12700h Laptop CPU ### GPU nVidia 3060 Laptop GPU ### Amount of RAM in GB 32 GB ### Amount of VRAM in GB 6 GB ### Log File Log of the game saving normally: [CUSA00003.log](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/21623211/CUSA00003.log) Log and callstack of trying to load the bricked save: [CUSA00003.log](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/21623416/CUSA00003.log) [callstack.txt](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/21557881/callstack.txt)
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@gandalfthewhite19890404 commented on GitHub (Aug 7, 2025):

Could it be after recent file system related changes?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3163816562 --> @gandalfthewhite19890404 commented on GitHub (Aug 7, 2025): Could it be after recent file system related changes?
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@tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 16, 2025):

I see multiple issues with save data. Diablo 3 is also affected, my save is no longer loading and I need to probably start again...

<!-- gh-comment-id:3193817519 --> @tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 16, 2025): I see multiple issues with save data. Diablo 3 is also affected, my save is no longer loading and I need to probably start again...
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@kalaposfos13 commented on GitHub (Aug 17, 2025):

@tvoracek can you confirm that it's the same problem as the one described in the issue, and not a different one?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3194148829 --> @kalaposfos13 commented on GitHub (Aug 17, 2025): @tvoracek can you confirm that it's the same problem as the one described in the issue, and not a different one?
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@tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 17, 2025):

@kalaposfos13 Yes it is different problem. My param.sfo is not 0 byte, there is some data in it, yet emulator is not recognizing my saves and everything needs to be started again.

All was good before https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/pull/3416 change.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3194216621 --> @tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 17, 2025): @kalaposfos13 Yes it is different problem. My param.sfo is not 0 byte, there is some data in it, yet emulator is not recognizing my saves and everything needs to be started again. All was good before https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/pull/3416 change.
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@StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Aug 27, 2025):

@tvoracek I recently released a PR that fixed some bugs with #3416, could you retest with the newest main builds to see if your issue is fixed?
If the issue remains, please open a separate issue for your problem, and follow the steps listed in the GAME BUG template.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3229768664 --> @StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Aug 27, 2025): @tvoracek I recently released a PR that fixed some bugs with #3416, could you retest with the newest main builds to see if your issue is fixed? If the issue remains, please open a separate issue for your problem, and follow the steps listed in the GAME BUG template.
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@tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2025):

[@StevenMiller123 ]

That actually did help! My save was recognized, all seems ok. Thanks!

<!-- gh-comment-id:3234405158 --> @tvoracek commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2025): > [@StevenMiller123 ] That actually did help! My save was recognized, all seems ok. Thanks!
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@Hermiten commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2025):

I'm closing this one. If this problem occurs again, please let us know here.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3323234503 --> @Hermiten commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2025): I'm closing this one. If this problem occurs again, please let us know here.
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@StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Nov 18, 2025):

Recently saw someone report this bug happening, so I've reopened it.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3549256133 --> @StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Nov 18, 2025): Recently saw someone report this bug happening, so I've reopened it.
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@kalaposfos13 commented on GitHub (Nov 18, 2025):

Since this new report was from Bloodborne, and not Driveclub, I've changed the issue title.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3549267682 --> @kalaposfos13 commented on GitHub (Nov 18, 2025): Since this new report was from Bloodborne, and not Driveclub, I've changed the issue title.
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@Shoegzer commented on GitHub (Feb 7, 2026):

Seeing the same issue here with Lords of the Fallen [CUSA00369]. Save games always seem to corrupt right after a trophy is rendered to the screen, as I reported here, although after testing this title for longer I've found it also seems to corrupt the save file at other random times when games are saved. Title continues to play, but attempts to load will fail. In any event, param.sfo is not empty, but rather 1.6 kB.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3863628333 --> @Shoegzer commented on GitHub (Feb 7, 2026): Seeing the same issue here with Lords of the Fallen [CUSA00369]. Save games always seem to corrupt right after a trophy is rendered to the screen, as I reported [here](https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues/3996), although after testing this title for longer I've found it also seems to corrupt the save file at other random times when games are saved. Title continues to play, but attempts to load will fail. In any event, param.sfo is not empty, but rather 1.6 kB.
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starred/shadPS4#1043
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