Windows Defender or third-party software (like Avast or Bitdefender) can block Forza from writing save data to your drive. Add the game's .exe to your antivirus whitelist.
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Forza Horizon 5.
: Ensure the Xbox app and Game Services are current.
If you're switching platforms or have a working save on one version but not the other, advanced users have found ways to convert saves between Steam and Microsoft Store versions. This process requires specialized tools and is not recommended for average users, but dedicated players can find guides on the Forza Mods Discord community.
Typically, Support will instruct you to delete your corrupted save and start a fresh one. Once you've unlocked the online hub (approximately 30-45 minutes of gameplay), they can restore: all previously owned cars, credits, and wheel spins from their internal records. Note that campaign progress, levels, and accolades cannot be restored .
This method has worked for many players experiencing corrupted save issues.