LOAD ERROR
Commodore Commodore 64
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
LOAD ERROR on the Commodore 64 means the program failed to load from tape (datasette) or disk drive. On tape, the most common cause is a worn or misaligned tape head. On disk, check that the disk is not write-protected and the drive head is clean.
Affected Models
- Commodore 64
- Commodore 64C
- Commodore 1530 Datasette
- Commodore 1541 Disk Drive
- VICE emulator (C64)
Common Causes
- Cassette tape worn, stretched, or the tape head out of alignment
- Tape head dirty — dust and oxide build-up causes read errors
- Volume level wrong when loading from tape via a regular cassette player
- Floppy disk damaged, dirty, or demagnetised
- Disk drive head dirty or misaligned (1541 drive)
- Wrong LOAD command — missing filename or incorrect device number
How to Fix It
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For tape: clean the datasette head with a cotton bud lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
Oxide from old tapes builds up on the read/write head over years of use. Gently rub the head, allow to dry completely, then retry loading.
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For tape: rewind fully and try loading again from the beginning.
Tape position matters. The LOAD command assumes the tape is positioned at the start of the program. Fullly rewind and listen for the leader tone before the data begins.
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For disk: check the LOAD command syntax.
To load the first program from a 1541 disk: LOAD "*",8,1 and press RETURN. Device 8 is the disk drive. Omitting the ,8 defaults to the datasette (device 1).
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For disk: check the disk is not write-protected and try a different disk.
A notch on the side of the floppy disk controls write protection. Also try a known good disk — disk surfaces degrade over 40+ years and bad sectors cause load errors.
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On VICE emulator: re-attach the disk image or tape image file.
In VICE go to File > Attach Disk Image (or Tape Image) and reselect the .d64 or .tap file. A corrupted image file will produce load errors just like a bad real disk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct LOAD command for the C64 disk drive?
LOAD "*",8,1 loads the first program on the disk. LOAD "PROGRAMNAME",8,1 loads a specific file by name. The ,8 specifies device 8 (the 1541 drive) and the ,1 loads to the address stored in the file header.
Why did the C64 say SEARCHING and then LOAD ERROR?
SEARCHING means the C64 found the start of data on the tape but could not successfully read all the bytes. This almost always means a dirty tape head or a worn section of tape.