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If Baldur’s Gate 3 is stuck on “Syncing Cloud Save” and disables Save Game and Load Game, turn off Cross-Save under Options → Gameplay → Save Options, quit and relaunch, then test a manual save. That workaround addresses the old sync-loop symptom; it is not a universal fix for every current save failure. First identify whether the problem is synchronization, local file access, a mod, a missing save folder, or a save that will not load.
Is the BG3 syncing bug fixed?
The launch-era “Syncing Cloud Save” loop was documented in August 2023. Larian improved error handling in Hotfix #22 on March 18, 2024: failed cross-save synchronization is identified and the game offers a retry. Larian also said Xbox cross-save issues addressed by Hotfixes #20 and #21 should be resolved. The old loop should not be treated as one still-unfixed, universal bug. Larian’s Hotfix #22 notes describe those changes.
As of August 8, 2026, the latest official release listed is Hotfix #36, version 4.1.1.7209685, released March 26, 2026. It fixed a framerate drop and eventual crash when loading a save, along with other crashes and blockers; it did not claim to fix every possible save problem. Larian still lists “Unable to Save” in its BG3 technical support index. Current failures can have different causes, including blocked local file access, mods, cloud conflicts, storage problems, or platform-specific issues. See Larian’s Hotfix #36 release post.
What symptom are you seeing?
| Symptom | Likely area to investigate |
|---|---|
| Save Game and Load Game are disabled while a “Syncing Cloud Save” message persists | Cross-Save or another cloud synchronization operation |
| A manual save fails or the game says it cannot save | Local file access, security software, backup/sync utilities, storage, or mods |
| A save seems to disappear after switching devices or Steam Deck versions | Cloud synchronization or a different local save folder |
| The game saves, but one save crashes or hangs when loaded | A damaged or incompatible save, or a loading issue—not necessarily a sync problem |
Fix a “Syncing Cloud Save” loop
- Open Options → Gameplay → Save Options from the Main Menu or pause menu.
- Turn Cross-Save off and exit the options screen.
- Quit the game fully, then relaunch it.
- Test a manual save. If it works, re-enable Cross-Save only after local saving is working.
Toggling Cross-Save off and on was a documented workaround for the old infinite-sync loop, not a guaranteed remedy for unrelated save failures. The setting uploads saves to Larian’s servers and requires a Larian account; the BG3 options reference and Larian account FAQ describe it.
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Do not confuse Cross-Save with Allow Cross-Play. Cross-Save handles save uploads and cross-platform progression; Allow Cross-Play is a separate Gameplay option for multiplayer. Larian’s cross-play instructions give the path Main Menu → Options → Gameplay → Allow Cross-Play. Changing Cross-Play is not a general fix for a save-sync problem. See Larian’s cross-play instructions.
Do not quit or overwrite saves while the game is still showing a sync operation. If you play through GeForce NOW, NVIDIA says to wait for the in-game save confirmation, then allow up to 30 seconds before quitting so the save can be stored in the cloud session. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW guidance is specific to that service.
Separate Steam Cloud from Larian Cross-Save
On Steam, the game can use both Larian Cross-Save and Steam Cloud. Turning off Steam Cloud can help isolate a Steam synchronization conflict; it does not repair Larian’s Cross-Save service.
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- Exit BG3.
- In Steam, open Library and right-click Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Select Properties, then open General.
- Turn off Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for Baldur’s Gate 3.
While disabled, Steam will not upload that game’s local saves to Steam Cloud. Re-enable it after troubleshooting if you want Steam synchronization. Larian’s save-troubleshooting guidance documents disabling cloud synchronization during diagnosis; a Steam Cloud UI reference shows the per-game control.
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Check local saving on Windows
Larian’s support article “Unable to Save” identifies programs that monitor or block disk activity as a possible cause, including antivirus, ransomware protection, backup tools, file-sync software, and other background programs.
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- Check whether security software or a backup/synchronization utility is blocking BG3 from writing to its save folder.
- If so, add the game executables and Larian’s local-data directory to that program’s trusted or exclusion list, following the vendor’s instructions.
- Test saving again. Avoid leaving system security disabled as a workaround.
Larian troubleshooting material names Bitdefender, Windows Defender, Avast, AVG, and backup or sync utilities as possible sources of blocked file operations. The standard Windows save location is:
C:Users<WindowsUserName>AppDataLocalLarian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStoryTo open it, paste this path into File Explorer’s address bar:
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStoryEach save is stored as a folder, not as a single standalone save document. Before renaming or deleting anything, copy the entire Story folder somewhere safe and keep the newest working save plus at least one earlier backup. Larian forum references cover the save location and troubleshooting and save-folder location.
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Test without mods
Larian advises testing save problems with all mods uninstalled, not just switched off in the in-game Mod Manager. Patches and hotfixes can make previously working mods incompatible. If saving works without the mods, that points to the mod setup or modded save as an area to investigate; it does not establish that Cross-Save caused the failure.
There are also cross-save limits to account for: since Hotfix #16, Larian Cross-Save does not sync modded saves because consoles cannot access unsupported mod content. Patch 8 permits cross-play with mods, but players need matching mod versions, and PC saves intended for console or Mac cross-play need mods compatible with those platforms and console mod limits. See Larian’s Hotfix #16 notes and Patch 8 notes.
Find saves after switching Steam Deck versions
Hotfix #34 introduced a native Steam Deck build. Proton and Native use different save locations, so a save missing in one version may still be in the other folder.
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| Steam Deck version | Public profile folder |
|---|---|
| Proton | /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1086940/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public |
| Native | /home/deck/.local/share/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public |
Larian says that with Steam Cloud enabled, the most recent saves should synchronize to the Native save folder automatically. Without Steam Cloud, older Proton saves remain in the compatdata folder and need to be copied manually. Consult Larian’s Hotfix #34 and Steam Deck Native guide before moving files.
When a save exists but will not load
A failed load is different from a save operation that never completes. Larian has issued separate fixes for save-related crashes and Error 701, saves made under rare conditions that would not load, corrupted saves that blocked loading or Act 2-to-Act 3 progression, and a loading-save crash fixed in Hotfix #36. If earlier saves load but one does not, treat that save as potentially corrupted and preserve a copy before further troubleshooting. Hotfix #16 is documented here; Hotfix #36 is documented in Larian’s release post.
Quick Recap
What not to do
- Do not delete the BG3 folder as a first step. It includes saves, configuration files, and cache data. Back it up or rename it instead of risking local progress.
- Do not treat Steam Cloud and Larian Cross-Save as one service. Diagnose them separately.
- Do not switch off Allow Cross-Play for an unrelated local save issue. The relevant setting for the old sync loop is Cross-Save.
- Do not assume the latest hotfix fixed every save problem. Hotfix #36 fixed specific issues, while Larian continues to list Unable to Save support guidance.
- Do not assume Cross-Save is a complete backup. Larian’s Xbox safeguard described in Hotfix #16 retained the last 10 saves, and modded saves are excluded from Cross-Save.
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