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Corrupted Map Item

The server errors loading a map item. A map data file (map_#.dat) is corrupted, removing or restoring that specific map fixes the problem.

What does this error mean?
In-game maps store their pixel data in numbered files in the world's data folder. 'Error loading map' means one of those files is corrupt, so the server fails when a player holds or opens that map. 
Error loading map
Most Common Causes
  • Corrupted map data after a crash.
  • Disk issues while saving map files.
  • A mod/plugin writing invalid map data.
  • An unclean shutdown mid-save.
  • Manual edits that broke the file.
How To Diagnose
  1. Read the log for the map id (map_#.dat) that failed.
  2. Locate that file in the world's data/ folder.
  3. Back it up before changing anything.
  4. Check for a recent good copy.
Recommended Fixes
  • Restore the map file
    Replace the corrupt map_#.dat with a backup to keep the drawn map.
  • Delete the map data
    Remove the broken map_#.dat, the map item becomes blank but stops crashing.
  • Repair the NBT
    Open the file in an NBT editor to salvage it if needed.
  • Fix the cause
    Address disk issues or the mod/plugin writing bad map data.
Analyze My Log
Frequently Asked Questions

In the world's data/ folder as map_0.dat, map_1.dat, and so on.

No, the map item remains but renders blank since its data is gone.

Only from a backup of that specific map_#.dat file.