As we all know, Steam offers more than just a gaming platform, it furthermore delivers a social network where users can chat with mates and communicate their gaming progress. In addition, Steam proposes access to a vast library of popular titles, as well as exclusive deals and discounts.
Nonetheless, due to the platform’s immense user base of over 100 million active users, many of whom are at the same instant utilizing the service, it is not distinctive to encounter certain sorts of glitches and errors.
Therefore, if you have encountered a “disk write error” message while endeavoring to install or update a game on Steam, don’t fret, there are several common fixes that the majority of users have successfully implemented, which will be discussed in this post.
But before we start discussing the relevant solution to this error, we first need to look at the causes of this error occurring on Steam, so, without further ado, let’s dig in!
What are the causes of the Steam Disk Write Error?
Steam oftentimes encounters disk write errors, which can be induced by various factors. Typically, these errors emerge when Steam fails to write to the disk during an installation or the update procedure. The specific reasons behind these errors can conflict based on the problems that your PC faces, some of the most common causes of the Steam Disk Write Error are:
1. Corrupted game installation files
When a file is corrupted, it indicates that its contents have become impaired or altered in some way, which can direct to unanticipated behavior when it’s being utilized. In the case of Steam disk write errors, a corrupted file can induce the error code to appear, preventing the installation of the game.
To resolve this issue, you can commence Steam integrity checks, which will ascertain the integrity of the game files on your system and restore any corrupted files.
2. Firewall Blocking
Security software or hardware that keeps watch over the incoming and outgoing network traffic on a device and regulates it is known as a firewall. It can assist protect your computer from unauthorized access and malware by screening out potentially harmful data packets.
In some cases, the firewall may preclude Steam from downloading and saving data, directing to the Steam Disk Write Error. This can ensue when the firewall software is configured to block Steam’s access to the internet, or when it erroneously flags Steam’s activities as suspicious or malicious.
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3. Disk problems or disk failure:
If you receive the same error message when attempting to install different games from Steam, it may indicate sector defects on your computer disk. Disk problems can also manifest in various ways due to disk failure.
4. Antivirus interference
Some users have reported that an active antivirus program on their computer may occasionally deter game downloads from Steam. This is oftentimes the case with the default antivirus software on Windows OS. To resolve this issue, you will require to whitelist the game and Steam.
Also Read- How To Fix “Slow Charger” Warning On Steam Deck
5. Administrative Privileges
When you install Steam on your computer, it requires administrative privileges to read and write files to your hard drive. This signifies that Steam needs permission from the administrator of your computer to make modifications to your hard drive, such as installing and updating games. If you do not have administrative privileges on your computer, or if your account does not have the essential permissions, Steam will not be able to write files to your hard drive, which can result in Steam Disk Write Error.
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How can you resolve the Steam Disk Write Error?
Method 1: Use Driver Easy to Update Necessary Drivers
Updating drivers is crucial in resolving Steam Disk Write Errors. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause this issue. The best and the most common way to update your drivers is by using software like Driver Easy. This software automatically scans your system and finds the right drivers for your device. This eliminates the need to manually search for drivers which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Simply, follow the steps given below to use Driver Easy:
- First, you require to download and install Driver Easy using the attached link on your computer.
- After that, once the file is downloaded, launch the software and select the option of Scan Now which will scan your PC for any issues with your drivers.
- Once the scan is finished, the software will exhibit a list of drivers that require to be updated or are missing, and then to automatically install as well as download the updated drivers, you require to tap on Update All option.
- Now that the divers have been successfully updated and installed, give your system a restart to take effect and try to re-download or re-update the game to check if Steam Disk Write Error has now been resolved.
Method 2: Delete Steam Cache Files
Occasionally, the Steam disk write error can surface because of a corrupted file in the Steam log. To resolve this issue, you require to locate and delete these corrupted files present in your system. The steps mentioned down below will guide you on how to delete these files:
- First, you require to press the Windows key and R together on your keyboard and then jot down or paste %ProgramFiles(x86)% into the Run box and finally press Ok.
- Once you are in the Program files (x86) folder, find Steam from the list and then navigate to Logs and Content_log. And then you require to scroll down and search for any “failed to write” errors, once found, pursue the path and name of the error and delete the corrupted files.
- Now that you have deleted all the corrupted files, just repeat the download and update procedure to see if the error prevails.
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Method 3: Verify the Integrity of Game Files on Steam
Sometimes, the Steam disk write error can be provoked by missing or corrupted installation files due to interference by antivirus programs. To resolve this issue, it is significant to check the integrity of the game files. Pursue the steps below to verify the integrity of game files and fix any potential disk write error issues:
- Start by opening your Steam library and right-clicking on the game that is causing the error and then from the drop-down menu, select Properties.
- After that, you require to click on the Local Files tab and finally, you have to tap on the Verify Integrity of Game Files button.
- Steam will initiate verifying the game’s files, and if it encounters any corrupt files, it will substitute them automatically.
Keep in mind, when you verify the integrity of game files on Steam, it checks for any missing or corrupted files and replaces them automatically. However, if your game uses a separate launcher to download additional updates, completing this step will remove those updates and replace your game with the base launcher version.
Method 4: Remove write protection from the drive
As you are still experiencing the Steam disk write error issue even after restarting Steam or your PC, your drive may be write-protected, which can prevent your PC from modifying or adding new files to the folders on that drive. Here’s how to remove write protection from the drive where your Steam games are stored:
- Firstly, navigate to the directory where the Steam folder is located which is usually in C:/Program Files (x86) and then you require to right-click on the Steam folder and select Properties.
- Now under the General tab, you require to look for the Attributes section and assure that the Read-only option is not checked, and then tap OK to save any changes you made.
- Lastly, you need to relaunch Steam on your PC and attempt downloading the game once again to check if the disk write error has now been resolved.
Method 5: Grant Administrative Privileges to Steam
Sometimes, the software may not have the necessary permissions to write files on your hard disk, which can provoke disk write errors. In such circumstances, running the program as an administrator can assist fix the issue. As an administrator, you’ll have additional permissions when using the software, which can also solve other problems. Follow the steps given below to start Steam as an admin:
- First, you require to find the Steam icon on your desktop, and then you have to right-click on it and choose Properties from the menu.
- Then, you have to proceed to the Compatibility tab and then check the Run this program as an administrator box.
- Finally, you have to click on OK to save changes.
Once you have made the necessary changes, restart Steam on your system and try to download the game again.
Why does Steam keep saying disk read error?
Verifying the integrity of game files is a procedure to inspect if all the game files are precisely installed on your computer. If you are undergoing missing textures, crashes, or other issues with your game, it could be an indication of a corrupted game file. In such cases, verifying the integrity of game files can help you identify and fix any corrupted files. Therefore, if you doubt that your game file is corrupted, you can pursue the steps mentioned in the third method of this article to verify the integrity of game files.
Why does Steam use so much disk?
When a Steam game is being downloaded, it may appear to require more disk space than it needs. This is because some games generate temporary files during the installation process. For example, if the game being downloaded is 100 MB in size, the game may generate temporary files that also take up approximately 100 MB of disk space. This can direct to a situation where the game seems to require twice as much disk space as it requires.
