What’s the best way to avoid the bounty system bug that causes infinite wanted levels?

The bounty system bug in Red Dead Redemption 2, which causes infinite wanted levels, can be frustrating and disrupt gameplay. This issue often occurs when players commit crimes in certain areas, such as Saint Denis or Valentine, and the game fails to properly clear the wanted status. To avoid this bug, it’s essential to understand how the bounty system works and take specific precautions during gameplay.\n\nFirst, familiarize yourself with the game’s crime mechanics. Crimes in RDR2 are tied to witnesses, law enforcement, and your visibility. If you commit a crime and no one sees you, you won’t get a bounty. However, if a witness reports you, law enforcement will investigate. To avoid triggering the infinite wanted bug, always ensure you eliminate witnesses or escape before they report you. For example, if you accidentally assault someone in a crowded area like Saint Denis, quickly flee the scene and avoid returning until the heat dies down.\n\nAnother key step is to avoid committing crimes in areas with high law enforcement presence, such as towns or cities. These locations are more prone to triggering the infinite wanted bug due to the density of NPCs and lawmen. If you must engage in illegal activities, do so in remote areas like the Grizzlies or the swamps near Lemoyne, where fewer witnesses and lawmen are present. For instance, if you’re hunting for rare items or completing challenges that require theft, choose isolated targets like lone travelers or small camps.\n\nIf you accidentally trigger a bounty, immediately pay it off at a post office or through the in-game menu. Delaying payment can sometimes cause the bug to occur, especially if you re-enter the area where the crime was committed. For example, if you have a $50 bounty in Valentine, travel to the nearest post office in Rhodes or Strawberry to clear it. Avoid returning to Valentine until the bounty is resolved to prevent the infinite wanted level glitch.\n\nAdditionally, save your game frequently, especially before engaging in risky activities. This allows you to reload a previous save if the bug occurs. For example, before robbing a train or starting a mission that involves combat, create a manual save. If the infinite wanted bug triggers, reloading the save will reset the game state and prevent the issue from persisting.\n\nFinally, keep your game updated. Rockstar frequently releases patches to fix bugs, including the infinite wanted level glitch. Ensure your game is running the latest version to minimize the risk of encountering this issue. If the bug persists despite these precautions, consider restarting your console or PC and verifying the game files to ensure no corrupted data is causing the problem.\n\nBy following these steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the infinite wanted level bug and enjoy a smoother Red Dead Redemption 2 experience.