The "Failed to Load Profile" error in Shadow of the Tomb Raider
typically occurs when the local profile.dat file or the cloud synchronization becomes corrupted. This usually happens after a sudden crash or power failure while the game is saving. Most Effective Fix: Resetting the Local Profile
This method is widely confirmed by the community as the most reliable fix for PC players. It forces the game to generate a fresh profile while keeping your actual progress saves intact.
Back Up Your Saves: Navigate to Documents\Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Locate the folder with a long string of numbers and copy it to a safe location. Disable Steam Cloud:
Right-click Shadow of the Tomb Raider in your Steam Library. Select Properties > General. Uncheck Enable Steam Cloud synchronization.
Delete the Profile File: Go back to the numbered folder in your Documents and delete only the profile.dat file. shadow of the tomb raider failed to load profile
Launch the Game: The game will start as if it’s the first time (you may need to reset your brightness and subtitles), but your existing save games should now be accessible.
Re-enable Cloud: Once you verify the game is working, you can re-enable Steam Cloud, ensuring you choose the local file if asked which one to keep. Secondary Troubleshooting Steps
If the profile reset doesn't work, the issue may be related to system permissions or file integrity. shadow of the tomb raider failed to load profile
The "Failed to load profile" error in Shadow of the Tomb Raider
typically occurs when your local profile data becomes corrupted, often after a system crash The "Failed to Load Profile" error in Shadow
. Because this file contains your settings and overall progress markers, the game may refuse to launch or get stuck in a loop asking to create a new profile. Steam Community Most Effective Fix: Delete Corrupted Profile Data The most reliable solution found by players on Steam Community is to manually remove the profile.dat Locate your save folder
C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Shadow of the Tomb Raider\[Long Number] Back up the folder
: Copy the entire folder to your desktop or a safe location before making changes. profile.dat : Remove only this specific file from the original folder. Disable Cloud Sync In your Steam Library, right-click Shadow of the Tomb Raider Properties -> toggle off Cloud Synchronization Launch the Game
: The game will act as if it is the first time you are playing, but your individual save files (the progress in the story) should still be available once you reach the main menu. Re-enable Sync
: Once the game is working, you can turn Cloud Sync back on. Alternative Troubleshooting Steps Open Windows File Explorer
If deleting the profile file does not resolve the issue, try these secondary fixes:
The "Shadow of the Tomb Raider failed to load profile" error can be frustrating, especially if you're eager to dive back into the game. This issue might stem from various causes, ranging from corrupted game files to issues with your graphics drivers or even problems with the game's installation. Let's explore some troubleshooting steps and potential solutions to help you get back into the game.
The profile is stored locally. Deleting it forces the game to recreate it.
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Shadow of the Tomb Raider\123456789 — a long number).gameplay.profile and user.profile files somewhere safe..profile files.The following protocols are ordered from least invasive (preserving save data) to most invasive (data reset).
This prevents permission issues with save files.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Shadow of the Tomb Raider).SOTTR.exe → Properties → Compatibility.Add these folders to antivirus exclusions:
Documents\Shadow of the Tomb Raider\Steam\steamapps\common\Shadow of the Tomb Raider\LocalLow\Eidos Montreal\ (hidden path: C:\Users\[User]\AppData\LocalLow\Eidos Montreal)