How to Fix Duplicate Save File Issue in Elden Ring

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how to resolve the duplicate save file issue in Elden Ring, which occurs when the game creates multiple save slots or fails to recognize your progress. You’ll learn how to identify duplicate files, back up your data, and restore a single working save. This fix is useful for players who see multiple “continue” options or lose progress after a crash.

What You’ll Need

Access to your PC’s file system (Windows Explorer)
Administrator rights on your Windows account (for editing protected folders)
A USB drive or cloud storage for backing up your save files (recommended)

Step-by-Step

Close Elden Ring completely. Make sure the game is not running in the background (check the system tray and Task Manager).
Locate the save file folder. Press Win + R, type %APPDATA%\EldenRing and press Enter. This opens the folder where your save data is stored. Alternatively, navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\EldenRing.
Identify the duplicate files. Inside the folder, you’ll see one or more subfolders named with a long string of numbers (your Steam ID). Open each one. Look for files named ER0000.sl2 or ER0000.sl2.bak. If you see multiple .sl2 files (e.g., ER0000.sl2 and ER0000 (1).sl2), you have duplicates.
Back up all save files. Before making any changes, copy the entire EldenRing folder to a safe location (e.g., a USB drive or your Desktop). This ensures you can restore your progress if something goes wrong.
Check the file dates and sizes. Right-click each .sl2 file, select Properties, and note the “Date modified” and “Size” values. The most recent file with the largest size is usually your current save. The older or smaller file is likely the duplicate.
Rename the duplicate file (do not delete yet). Right-click the duplicate file and select Rename. Change its extension from .sl2 to .bak (e.g., ER0000 (1).sl2 → ER0000 (1).bak). This preserves the file but prevents the game from loading it.
Launch Elden Ring. Start the game and check the main menu. You should now see only one “Continue” option. If your progress is intact, you can safely delete the renamed .bak file later.
If the game still shows duplicates, try the opposite. Sometimes the game loads the older file. If your progress is missing, close the game, rename the current .sl2 to .bak, and rename the duplicate .bak back to .sl2. Then launch the game again.
Clear the Steam cloud sync conflict. If duplicates persist, go to Steam > Settings > Cloud, and uncheck “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization” for Elden Ring. Then delete all .sl2 files in the folder, launch the game to create a fresh save, and then re-enable cloud sync. (Note: This will erase your local progress, so only do this if you have a backup.)

Common Mistakes

Deleting files without backup: Always back up before deleting anything. If you delete the wrong file, you lose all progress.
Editing while the game is running: The game locks save files, so changes won’t apply and may corrupt data.
Confusing .sl2 with .bak files: The .bak files are automatic backups, not duplicates. Don’t delete them unless you’re sure they’re not needed.
Assuming the larger file is always the newest: Check the date modified, not just size. A file can be large but old.

Tips

Use the in-game menu first: If you see multiple characters, you can delete extra characters from the load screen. This is safer than file editing.
Keep regular backups: Copy your save folder to cloud storage after each major play session. This protects against crashes and corruption.
Disable Steam Cloud temporarily: If you’re experiencing constant duplicates, turning off cloud sync can prevent automatic overwrites. Re-enable it after fixing.
Check for mod conflicts: If you use mods, they may create extra save files. Disable mods and test if the issue persists.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t work:

Run the game as administrator: Right-click the Elden Ring executable, select “Run as administrator”. This can resolve permission issues that cause save file problems.
Verify game files: In Steam, right-click Elden Ring > Properties > Local Files > “Verify integrity of game files”. This will replace any corrupted game files, not save files, but can fix related issues.
Check for Windows file corruption: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This repairs system files that might interfere with save writing.
If all else fails, start fresh: Move all save files to a backup folder, launch the game to create a new save, then copy your old saves back one at a time to test which one works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will deleting a duplicate save file delete my character?
A: Only if you delete the file that contains your character. That’s why you should rename (not delete) and test first.

Q: Why did I get duplicate saves in the first place?
A: Common causes include Steam Cloud sync conflicts, game crashes during autosave, or manually copying save files between devices.

Q: Can I merge two save files to combine progress?
A: No, Elden Ring save files are not designed to be merged. You must choose one save to keep.

Q: Does this fix work on PlayStation or Xbox?
A: No, this guide is for PC only. Console users can try deleting local save data and re-downloading from cloud, but that may erase progress.

Q: What is the .bak file? Should I keep it?
A: The .bak file is an automatic backup created by the game. It’s safe to keep as a fallback, but you can delete it once you’re sure your main save works.

Q: Will disabling Steam Cloud delete my cloud saves?
A: No, disabling just stops syncing. Your cloud saves remain on Steam’s servers, but they won’t be downloaded to your PC until you re-enable sync.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.