Transport Fever 3 Save File Corrupted — How to Fix & Recover
Last verified: 2026-10-02
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\<YourSteamID>\3493540\local\save\
If a Transport Fever 3 save won't load or your empire is gone, stop — don't keep launching, which can overwrite a recoverable file. Your saves live at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\<YourSteamID>\3493540\local\save\ (App ID 3493540), mirrored at %APPDATA%\Transport Fever 3. Close the game, copy that whole folder somewhere safe first, then restore an autosave or an older save file; if the local files are bad, roll back through Steam Cloud. The game keeps multiple timestamped saves and autosaves, so an earlier one is usually intact.
Where the files live: see the full Transport Fever 3 save file location guide for every platform path (PS5, Xbox, Steam Cloud).
How to transfer your Transport Fever 3 save to a new PC
- Fully close Transport Fever 3 — check Task Manager so no process is still writing to the save.
- Open the save folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\<YourSteamID>\3493540\local\save (or the %APPDATA%\Transport Fever 3 mirror).
- Back up EVERYTHING first: copy the entire folder to your Desktop or a USB drive before touching anything.
- Look for an earlier save or autosave: Transport Fever keeps multiple timestamped .sav files plus autosaves — load the newest one that ISN'T the corrupt file from inside the game's Load menu.
- Roll back Steam Cloud if local files are also bad: exit the game, turn OFF Steam Cloud sync for Transport Fever 3, restore your known-good local backup, launch to confirm, then re-enable sync so the GOOD save uploads (not the corrupt one).
- Verify the game files (Steam: right-click ▸ Properties ▸ Installed Files ▸ Verify integrity) to rule out a damaged install rather than a damaged save.
- Still stuck? Right-click the save folder ▸ Properties ▸ Previous Versions, or check Windows File History for an older copy from before the corruption.
Does cloud sync move it for you?
When Steam Cloud and your PC disagree you'll get a sync-conflict prompt asking which save to keep. Read the timestamps and pick the one matching your real last session. If you already picked wrong, restore the folder backup you made before letting it sync — otherwise the corrupt or older save overwrites the cloud copy too.
Common mistakes
- Overwriting before backing up. Copy the whole save folder first (step 3) — it's your undo button.
- Letting the cloud re-sync the bad save. Disable Steam Cloud or restore before re-launching, or the corrupt file just re-uploads.
- Mods: a mod removed or updated since the save was made can make a healthy save fail to load — reinstall the matching workshop mods before assuming corruption.
FAQ
Why won't my Transport Fever 3 save load?
Either the save file is corrupt, a Steam Cloud conflict overwrote it, or a workshop mod the save depends on is missing/updated. Back up the folder, try an earlier autosave, reinstall matching mods, then roll back Steam Cloud if needed.
Can I recover a corrupted Transport Fever 3 save?
Often yes — back up the folder first, then load an earlier timestamped save or autosave from the Load menu, restore a Steam Cloud copy, or use a Windows Previous Version.
Where are Transport Fever 3 saves stored?
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\<YourSteamID>\3493540\local\save, mirrored at %APPDATA%\Transport Fever 3. See our full save file location guide.
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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.