Hearts of Iron IV Save File Location
Here's exactly where Hearts of Iron IV stores your save files on PC, how cloud sync works, and how to back them up before modding or switching computers.
Save file locations
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games\ . Saves are single .hoi4 files. Ironman saves share the folder and the extension.
Same publisher folder under your home directory
Hearts of Iron IV is PC-only (no console version). On macOS/Linux the save lives in the equivalent user folder for this publisher; on Windows use the path above.
Cloud saves
Yes, via Steam Cloud when enabled. Same account + cloud on = saves appear on the new PC; otherwise copy the save games folder manually.
Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Hearts of Iron IV save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Paste %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games and press Enter.
- Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
Hearts of Iron IV save won't load or says it's corrupt
Load an earlier autosave from the same folder. HOI4 autosaves on a set interval; keep cloud on for an off-machine backup.
My Hearts of Iron IV save is missing or the folder looks empty
You may be looking in the wrong place — the folder is exact (watch Documents vs AppData). If Documents is synced to OneDrive, also check %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Documents. If it's still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy.
Hearts of Iron IV progress rolled back after a cloud conflict
When Steam reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of lost hours. If unsure, disable cloud, back up the local folder, then re-enable it.
FAQ
Where is the Hearts of Iron IV save file on PC?
It's at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games (files end in .hoi4). Press Win+R, paste that path, and press Enter to open it.
How do I fix a corrupted Hearts of Iron IV save?
Load an earlier autosave from the same folder. HOI4 autosaves on a set interval; keep cloud on for an off-machine backup.
How do I back up Hearts of Iron IV saves before modding?
Copy the entire save folder at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games somewhere safe before adding mods, so you can restore it if a mod breaks the save.
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Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.