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

Ready or Not, despite its name, is far from a children's game. This intense single and multiplayer SWAT FPS delivers realistic action, but occasionally throws a wrench in the works with technical glitches. One such issue is the dreaded "Serialization Error Action Needed" message. Let's dive into how to fix this.

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

1. Verify Your Game Files

The first step, as the error suggests, is to verify your game's integrity. Ensure Steam isn't in offline mode. Follow these steps:

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 replace any corrupted or missing files. Try launching Ready or Not again. If successful, you're all set. If not, proceed to the next step.

2. Remove Mods

Outdated or incompatible mods are a frequent culprit behind this error, especially since the transition to Unreal Engine 5. To remove mods:

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 will disable all your mods. The game should now run, but you'll need to reinstall your mods selectively (see step 3).

3. Reinstall Mods Selectively

Reinstall your mods one by one, checking their update dates. Visit Nexus Mods, Mod.io, or your preferred mod source. Mods updated after July 2024 (when Ready or Not switched to UE5) are more likely to be compatible. Install a mod, test the game, and repeat. If the error returns, the last installed mod is the problem—skip it. Incompatible mods (those not updated for UE5) won't work.

4. Last Resort: Reinstall the Game

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 However, outdated mods are the most frequent cause of this error.

Ready or Not is available now for PC.