Save game error

Save game errors are errors which prevents you from saving your game in The Sims 3.

List of errors

 * 1) No save file information.
 * 2) No active world.
 * 3) The save path is empty.
 * 4) Cannot save directory.
 * 5) Cannot find the requested file.
 * 6) Failed to create header record.
 * 7) Failed to write header record.
 * 8) Pre-save callback failure.
 * 9) World file save failure.
 * 10) Post-save callback failure.
 * 11) No load/save manager found.
 * 12) Other error. Sorry.

See the 'readme' file for your games for additional information.

Fixing the errors
When experiencing an error, try cancelling your Sims' actions and save again.

The easiest way to fix this problem is to 'Save As' on a different game file each time instead of 'Save'. This also reduces the chance of losing the game due to file corruption and creates a backup of sorts. The Sims 3 creates an automatic backup of your old saved game now, everytime you save your game normally.

The error may be caused by overcrowding on a lot, which may be remedied by Editing the Town, moving the offending lot, then placing it back in its original location, thus resetting the lot.

If the error persists, additional remedies may be needed, at the risk of the user. Users should be cautious when employing suggested remedies, as altering files may possibly cause irreversible damage to a saved game file or to the game itself. It is highly encouraged that the user make a backup of their data before attempting to fix the problem using any suggested solutions.

World Adventures
Error 12, 13, or 16 specifically were widely encountered after installing World Adventures. The bug is officially known as "Error code 16 bug" by EA. The errors were due to a change in the file structure used to store saved games.

Patch 7 came out fixing this problem and the subsequent Patch 8 added an auto recovery prompt to recover save games previously corrupted. EA has supplied a solution for restoring corrupted saved game files.