*Ready or Not* may sound like a simple game of hide and seek, but this SWAT-themed FPS is anything but child's play. Whether you're diving into solo missions or joining forces in multiplayer, you might encounter the occasional technical hiccup. Let's delve into how to resolve the "Serialization Error Action Needed" in *Ready or Not* and get back to the action.
How to Tackle ‘Serialization Error Action Needed’ in Ready or Not

Screenshot via The Escapist
The *Ready or Not* error "Serialization Error Action Needed" typically comes with the message "Corrupt data found, please verify your installation." This is an issue related to the Unreal Engine, but don't worry—there are several steps you can take to fix it.
1. Verify Your Installation
The first step is to follow the prompt and verify your game files. Make sure Steam isn't set to offline mode, then:
- Go to your Steam Library and locate *Ready or Not*.
- Right-click on it and select "Properties."
- Click on "Installed Files."
- Click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files."
This process will check for any missing or damaged files. If Steam detects any issues, it will automatically re-download the necessary files. After the verification, relaunch *Ready or Not*. If the error persists, you may need to take further action.
2. Remove Any Mods
The "Serialization Error Action Needed" can also be triggered by outdated or broken mods, especially those not compatible with Unreal Engine 5. To remove mods:
- Go to your Steam Library and find *Ready or Not*.
- Left-click on "Manage" and then "Browse Local Files."
- Double-click on the "ReadyorNot" folder.
- Double-click on the "Content" folder.
- Double-click on "Paks."
- Delete the "mod.io" folder by either left-clicking and pressing the delete key or right-clicking and selecting "delete."
This should allow the game to run smoothly again, though you'll be without your mods for now.
Related: Ready or Not: What’s Better, DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 (DX11 vs. DX12)?
3. Reinstall Your Mods
Once you've removed the mods, you can start reinstalling them one at a time. Head to Nexus Mods, Mod.io, or your preferred mod source, and:
- Check the update date of each mod. Only install mods updated after July 2024, when *Ready or Not* transitioned to UE5.
- Install a mod, launch the game, and check if the error reappears.
- If the error returns, the last mod you installed is likely the culprit. Unfortunately, you'll need to skip it until it's updated for UE5 compatibility.
If all else fails, consider a full uninstall and reinstall of *Ready or Not*. While hard disk corruption is a possibility, most instances of this error are linked to outdated mods. With these steps, you should be able to resolve the "Serialization Error Action Needed" and continue your SWAT operations without interruption.
*Ready or Not is available now for PC.*