How to fix corrupted save data error in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Ezequiel Leis
Mela and a error icon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players are having trouble with the game since the 1.2 update, so here’s how to fix the corrupted save data error in the game.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet had a rocky launch with many bugs and performance issues that still need to be addressed by Game Freak. The company released a big patch with the 1.2 update on Pokemon Day, but while it fixed some issues, it also introduced players to new ones.

Many players are encountering an error that keeps them from playing the game. This error claims players have a corrupted saved data file but offers no solutions. While players are waiting for Nintendo or Game Freak to address this problem, a player shared an unofficial “easy fix”.

If you are facing the corrupted saved data error in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, here’s how to fix it.

Error Code: 2016-0601 is showing up in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet after the 1.2 update.

How to fix the corrupted save data error in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Reddit user TragGaming shared a “quick and easy fix” for players facing the “Corrupted data was found” error in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet:

  1. Make sure you are getting the save data corrupted error and the game isn’t just crashing. Sometimes this happens and the crash has nothing to do with data corruption.
  2. Start an Alternate account, or use a different Nintendo Switch account.
  3. Play a new save file on the alternate account to the point where you can save, and do so.
  4. Immediately after saving, close the game and switch to the main account, loading your Pokemon game. You should be able to play and log in as normal.

TragGaming and other players tried this solution successfully on different games and different Nintendo Switch consoles. The Reddit user added that players should make sure their Nintendo Switch in use is their primary console if they have a digital copy of the game.

It’s important to note that there’s another important error that states “Save data in the Nintendo Switch couldn’t be recognized”. Players haven’t found a solution for this yet and it’s recommended not to try to solve it by handling the save data file until there’s more information about it.

Neither Nintendo nor Game Freak offered official fixes for these errors yet, but you can check the official Costumer Support website for possible solutions to corrupted data issues.

Why does the corrupted save data error happen in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The corrupted saved data error in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has many players theorizing about its origins. Update 1.2 brought bug and performance fixes, but it seems it has also corrupted some players’ save files in the process.

Some players think it’s a problem that has to do with the Autosave feature, while others think it’s tied to the Pokemon Go connectivity that was recently added to the game. Another group believes that it depends on the area the players last saved the game since the 1.2 patch changed the way and frequency some Pokemon spawn in the wild.

The truth is nobody knows for sure, and most players facing these errors won’t play the game until there’s an official solution to these problems.


For more Pokemon content, check out our other guides:

How to catch Shiny Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet | How does EXP Share work in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet? | How to catch all Legendaries in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to breed eggs in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Stake locations: All Shrines | Herba Mystica in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to check IVs in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to beat Scarlet & Violet Elite Four: Champion of Paldea

Image Credits: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company

About The Author

Ezequiel is a Games Writer at CharlieIntel. With a great knowledge of gaming, he's focused mostly on Pokemon, Fortnite, and HoYoverse titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact. With a journalism degree, Ezequiel has worked on La Cosa and Infobae, two of the most prestigious outlets in Latin America. He joined CharlieIntel in 2023. You can reach Ezequiel at [email protected]