MemcardRexCommon errors and fixes
MemcardRex does not open
- Likely cause
- The .NET 8 Desktop Runtime is missing or the 32-bit runtime was installed.
- Fix
- Install the x64 .NET 8 Desktop Runtime from Microsoft.
- Verify
- The main window opens.
Card reader not detected
- Likely cause
- Wrong COM port, unpowered DexDrive or a loose card.
- Fix
- Select the correct port in Preferences, connect DexDrive power, reseat the card and reconnect the cable.
- Verify
- Reading begins.
DexDrive stops responding
- Likely cause
- The DexDrive can get stuck after an error.
- Fix
- The README advises unplugging power and the COM cable, then reconnecting everything.
- Verify
- The next read completes.
Saves appear empty or garbled
- Likely cause
- The card was opened as the wrong format.
- Fix
- Open it with its real extension; raw 128 KB cards usually open as .mcr.
- Verify
- Titles and icons appear.
Imported save is not listed by the game
- Likely cause
- Different region or game version.
- Fix
- Use a save with the same product code as your game disc.
- Verify
- The game shows the save.
PS3 Memory Card Adaptor not found
- Likely cause
- No WinUSB driver for the adaptor.
- Fix
- Install WinUSB for USB ID 054C 02EA with a driver tool, name it PS3 Memory Card Adaptor, restart MemcardRex.
- Verify
- The adaptor reads the card.
Permission denied on Linux serial port
- Likely cause
- Your user cannot access serial devices.
- Fix
- Add your user to the dialout group and log in again.
- Verify
- The reader opens without sudo.
Settings do not save
- Likely cause
- The program sits in a protected folder.
- Fix
- Move MemcardRex to a folder you own, such as Documents.
- Verify
- Preferences persist after restart.
Known issues
- The repository was archived in July 2026, so reported bugs will not be fixed upstream.
- The Linux version is beta and must be built from source.
- Some physical cards are not detected by an unpowered DexDrive.
Performance tips
- Keep cards on a local drive rather than a network share or cloud-synced folder.
- Close tabs you no longer need.
- Use a powered DexDrive or a reliable USB-serial adapter for physical cards.
Still stuck?
Search the project's issue tracker on GitHub, which remains readable even though the project is archived. For step-by-step fixes, read how to fix common MemcardRex errors.