Start with the platform and the player
A local save is not the same thing as your game installation folder. Steam and Xbox PC can store saves differently, and two Windows users may have different local data. First confirm which launcher and Windows account you actually use to play.
In the game, make a normal save, return to the title screen and close the game completely. Allow the launcher to finish synchronising. Note the time of that save so you can distinguish it from an old download or backup. Do not open two copies of the game while locating files.
Use a compatible file, not a guessed folder
For a conventional Windows Steam installation, start in File Explorer at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Gameloft\Disney Dreamlight Valley. Look for the Steam player subfolder and compare its last-modified time with your recent in-game save. AppData is hidden by default, so paste the folder path into File Explorer’s address bar rather than looking in the game installation directory. This is a starting location, not a universal path for every launcher.
For an accessible PC save, use Starlight Studio’s Open Save workflow and select the compatible file belonging to the intended player. A file called profile.json in a downloads folder may be an old export rather than the active save. Keep the original folder structure and a separate untouched copy.
Xbox PC storage may use container-managed files rather than a conveniently named profile.json. Do not rename arbitrary container files or replace only part of a container. Ask support to confirm the supported workflow for your launcher if Studio does not recognise your file.
Console and cloud saves
A Windows application does not make a Switch or PlayStation save directly accessible as a local PC file. Managed services may use a compatible Dreamlight Valley Cloud Save workflow, depending on platform and account history. Confirm eligibility before purchasing; owning a cloud account is not proof that every cross-platform transfer is supported.
If you are unsure, send support your platform, launcher and the error message—not your account password. For a service order, use the protected order handover provided by Starlight Select rather than a public message.