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How To Fix ‘Serialization Error Action Needed’ in Ready or Not

Authore: LillianUpdate:Mar 14,2025

Ready or Not, despite its name, isn't a children's game. This intense single and multiplayer SWAT FPS delivers realistic tactical action, but occasionally throws a curveball in the form of technical glitches. One such issue is the dreaded "Serialization Error Action Needed" message. Let's dive into how to fix this frustrating problem.

Screenshot showing the Serialization Error in Ready or Not

Screenshot via The Escapist

The "Serialization Error Action Needed" error, often accompanied by "Corrupt data found, please verify your installation," is typically an Unreal Engine issue. Here's a breakdown of solutions:

1. Verify Game Files

The game itself suggests the first step: verifying your game files. This checks for missing or corrupted files and redownloads them if necessary. Here's how (ensure Steam isn't in offline mode):

  1. Open your Steam Library and locate Ready or Not.
  2. Right-click the game and select Properties.
  3. Click "Local Files," then "Verify Integrity of Game Files."

Steam will scan and repair any issues. If successful, relaunch Ready or Not. If the problem persists, move to the next step.

2. Remove Mods

Outdated or incompatible mods are a common culprit. Removing them can resolve the "Serialization Error." Follow these steps (via CosmoCart):

  1. Open your Steam Library and find Ready or Not.
  2. Left-click "Manage," then "Browse Local Files."
  3. Navigate to the ReadyorNot\Content\Paks folder.
  4. Delete the mod.io folder.

This removes your mods. The game *should* now run, but you'll need to reinstall your mods selectively (see next step).

3. Reinstall Mods Selectively

Reinstall your mods one by one, checking their update dates. Ready or Not's transition to Unreal Engine 5 (around July 2024) broke many older mods. Only reinstall mods updated *after* July 2024. Install a mod, test the game, and repeat. If the error returns, the last installed mod is the problem—skip it.

Last Resort: Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, a clean reinstall of Ready or Not might be necessary. While less likely, hard drive corruption could also be the cause. However, outdated mods are the most frequent source of this error.

Ready or Not is available now for PC.