Failing to load old saves

[ShadowNightshade]

I have attempted solutions to common problems

Yes

I have checked that my game version is supported

Yes

OS

Windows 11

Platform

Steam

Description

Attempting to load saves from before patch 7 results in an "Error Server shutting down" or an Error code 302. Saves made after patch 7 and new games do not have this issue.

Indications

The only thing that has changed as far as I'm aware between my saves working and not working was me installing script extender. I have tried loading the saves with all mods disabled only to return the same errors mentioned above. These saves were loading fine just before installing script extender.

Diagnostic Files

I attempted to run the batch file several times but nothing appeared to happen and no "BG3 Diagnostic Data" did not show up in my %temp% file.

Steps to Reproduce

Install script extender (version 20 I believe it is) Run BG3 Patch 7 Attempt to load a save made prior to patch 7 (Note these saves were using an older version of script extender I had to reinstall my game when patch 7 dropped and thus also did a clean install of the latest script extender version. May or may not be relevant)

Expected Behavior

The saves should load without issue. (As they were before I installed SE v20)

Actual Behavior

Attempting to load an old save sends me back to the title screen with the previously mentioned errors.

[ShadowNightshade]

So little update on this I removed DWrite.dll from BG3s bin file to stop script extender from loading and this allowed me to load my saves once more.

[TheSaltWizard]

So little update on this I removed DWrite.dll from BG3s bin file to stop script extender from loading and this allowed me to load my saves once more.

I tried this, and can confirm the same behavior in my game.

I do not have any trouble with the new game save created post patch 7. With saves before patch 7, attempting to load them results in the game reverting to the main menu with a "Server Shutting Down" error, across all campaigns. (Sometimes I am given an error code, usually but not always 117, but usually there is no error code.) After disabling SE by removing DWrite.dll as ShadowNightshade describes above, all my saves will load pre and post patch 7 without issue.

[DekuScrubs]

So little update on this I removed DWrite.dll from BG3s bin file to stop script extender from loading and this allowed me to load my saves once more.

I tried this, and can confirm the same behavior in my game.

I do not have any trouble with the new game save created post patch 7. With saves before patch 7, attempting to load them results in the game reverting to the main menu with a "Server Shutting Down" error, across all campaigns. (Sometimes I am given an error code, usually but not always 117, but usually there is no error code.) After disabling SE by removing DWrite.dll as ShadowNightshade describes above, all my saves will load pre and post patch 7 without issue.

So I have successfully loaded the pre patch 7 game after deleting DWrite.dll now but no mod functionality. I can start a new game or or continue my new start game but no mods are present. Are you having similar results?

[TheSaltWizard]

So I have successfully loaded the pre patch 7 game after deleting DWrite.dll now but no mod functionality. I can start a new game or or continue my new start game but no mods are present. Are you having similar results?

I did not attempt to play any of the saves once they loaded, because I have multiple mods that require script extender, including my subclass on one of those saves. I did notice when I successfully loaded the old saves that dyes had changed on some clothes, and some modded armour was missing off my character, which I assume is because of SE being disabled. So, that's a soft yes.

EDIT: I am playing on the new save with SE installed, but none of my mods which depend on it are working in spite of that.

2nd EDIT: Actually, some SE mods seem to be working while others are not. Or it's possible they're working sporadically? It's unclear to me.

[JLaret]

So I have successfully loaded the pre patch 7 game after deleting DWrite.dll now but no mod functionality. I can start a new game or or continue my new start game but no mods are present. Are you having similar results?

I did not attempt to play any of the saves once they loaded, because I have multiple mods that require script extender, including my subclass on one of those saves. I did notice when I successfully loaded the old saves that dyes had changed on some clothes, and some modded armour was missing off my character, which I assume is because of SE being disabled. So, that's a soft yes.

EDIT: I am playing on the new save with SE installed, but none of my mods which depend on it are working in spite of that.

2nd EDIT: Actually, some SE mods seem to be working while others are not. Or it's possible they're working sporadically? It's unclear to me.

Without any mods, my old saves load. With SE by itself, they do not load. I've been at it for hours and have read so many comments on this lol . No idea what to do next !

[Em-jey]

omg, thank you guys for this, I was wondering for days about that, I renamed DWrite.dll to DWrite_original.dll, the "Script Extender" didn't started up, and I could load my old saves (with mere 140h), the only mod that I had, that required SE, was "5eSpells", it's a bit of shame, but I can live with that. thank you once again

[Reidmaster]

I think this is probably related to #257.

[Reidmaster]

Not sure if this will work for everyone, but I was able to load my save without the script extender and then make a new save and load that one just fine. Or at least everything appears to be working with the quick testing I've done.

[TheSaltWizard]

Not sure if this will work for everyone, but I was able to load my save without the script extender and then make a new save and load that one just fine. Or at least everything appears to be working with the quick testing I've done.

So, if I'm understanding right, you disabled SE, loaded a patch 6 save, and then made a new save for that game. Then you were able to re-enable script extender and load that newest save and play with all your mods without issue? Just making sure before I try anything.

[Reidmaster]

Not sure if this will work for everyone, but I was able to load my save without the script extender and then make a new save and load that one just fine. Or at least everything appears to be working with the quick testing I've done.

So, if I'm understanding right, you disabled SE, loaded a patch 6 save, and then made a new save for that game. Then you were able to re-enable script extender and load that newest save and play with all your mods without issue? Just making sure because I try anything.

That is correct. I still haven't done a whole lot of testing, so I don't know if there are hidden issues caused by doing so.

[TheSaltWizard]

Not sure if this will work for everyone, but I was able to load my save without the script extender and then make a new save and load that one just fine. Or at least everything appears to be working with the quick testing I've done.

So, if I'm understanding right, you disabled SE, loaded a patch 6 save, and then made a new save for that game. Then you were able to re-enable script extender and load that newest save and play with all your mods without issue? Just making sure because I try anything.

That is correct. I still haven't done a whole lot of testing, so I don't know if there are hidden issues caused by doing so.

This appears to be have worked for me as well. I'm going to continue to play on that campaign and will come back to report any issues I discover.