Fix Disk Write Error on Steam in Windows 11

In this post, we will show you how to fix the Disk Write Error on Steam. Steam is a popular gaming platform where gaming enthusiasts can download, purchase, and play games, as well as discuss them. However, some users have complained of getting the disk write error on Steam while downloading or updating games that you purchased on Steam. It is triggered when you attempt to download a new game or when you try to update an existing one. The error message shows:

An error occurred while installing/updating <game name> (disk write error)

What causes the Disk Write Error on Steam?

The Disk Write Error on Steam can occur for several reasons. It can be triggered if there is write protection enabled on the drive, due to corrupted game files, because of corrupted download cache, bad sector and other disk errors, etc. In some cases, it might also occur due to your antivirus or firewall protection.

If you are one of the users facing the Steam disk write error, this guide will help you resolve the issue. Here, we will outline multiple methods that can help you resolve this problem. Let us check out the fixes now.

How to fix Disk Write Error on Steam in Windows 11/10

Here are the fixes that you should try to resolve the Steam Disk Write Error on Windows PC:

Try general suggestions like Restart Steam, Restart your PC, etc.
Remove disk write protection.
Verify the integrity of game files.
Clear up the 0 KB files.
Clear up the corrupted files in the log.
Delete Steam download cache.
Scan your drive for errors.
Provide full control to Steam folder security.
Disable your antivirus or firewall protection.
Change your internet connection from Public to Private.
Change the download region.

Let us elaborate on the above-listed methods now!

1] Try general suggestions like Restart Steam, Restart your PC, etc.

At first, you’d try some general tips and tricks to fix this error on Steam. You can try the following fixes:

Restart the Steam client to resolve temporary issues that may be causing the Steam disk write error. To do so, first, close the Steam Client completely. Clicking on the cross on the top right side in Steam Client will not close it completely. To close the Steam Client completely, click on System Tray, then right-click on the Steam icon, and select Exit. After completely closing the Steam Client, wait for a few seconds and then launch it again. See if it helps.
Insufficient access permissions can also cause this error. So, try relaunching Steam as an administrator and see if the issue is gone or not.
You can also try rebooting your PC and then relaunching Steam to check if the issue is gone.
Check you are using out-of-date device drivers. If yes, update your drivers and see if the issue is fixed or not.

If these methods don’t work for you, you will need to use some advanced troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide.

2] Remove disk write protection

If write protection is enabled on your disk, it will prevent your PC from adding or updating files to a folder or drive. You can try to remove disk write protection if this scenario applies to you. Check the drive where Steam games are saved and ensure it is not write-protected. If it is, you can follow the guide that shows you how to remove disk write protection. This should fix up the error in case the root cause was write protection on your disk.

3] Verify integrity of game files

In case your game installation files are corrupted or are missing or incomplete, it may trigger the disk write error on Steam. So, what you have to do is verify the integrity o your game files using the dedicated feature in Steam. It will check for missing or incomplete game files and then update them to the latest files from Steam servers. To help you with the process, here are the exact steps for doing so:

First, run Steam and then go to the Library section.
Now, right-click on the game that is giving you the disk write error.
Next, from the right-click context menu, press the Properties option.
Then, move to the LOCAL FILES tab.
After that locate the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES option and press on it.
You now have to wait for some time until the game files are verified and updated. When the process is completed, exit the Steam client.
Finally, relaunch Steam and try downloading or updating the game that was causing the disk write error.

If this doesn’t resolve the error, proceed to the next fix.

Read: An error occurred while installing or updating the Steam game

4] Clear up the 0 KB files

If there are many 0KB files in the Steam folder, it might cause a Steam disk write error. In case you think this is the reason for the error, try deleting all the 0KB files. You can follow the steps below to do so:

Firstly, simply open the Steam installation directory. By default, you can find it on this location: C:\ProgramFiles(x86).
Then, go to the Steam > steamapps > common folder
Now, select all the 0KB files.
After that, use the Delete option to remove those files.

You can now try downloading or updating on Steam and check if the error persists.

Tip: Is it safe to delete Empty Folders or Zero-byte files in Windows?

5] Clear up the corrupted files in the log

If there are corrupted files in the Steam log, you might experience the disk write error on Steam. Hence, delete the corrupted files in the Steam log, and hopefully, that will resolve the issue for you. To do that, you can follow the steps:

First, open the Steam installation directory using the steps mentioned in method (4).
And then, navigate to the Steam > logs folder.
Now, open the content_log file in Notepad.
In this file, scroll to the end of the file.
Next, check if there is failed to write error. If yes, follow the path of error and then delete the corrupted file.
You can again continue downloading or updating games on Steam and then see if the issue is gone.

See: Fix Steam Error Code 105, Unable to connect to the server

6] Delete Steam download cache

You may also encounter the disk write error on Steam if your Steam download cache is corrupted. To do so, in the Steam app, go to the Steam option from the main toolbar and then click on Settings > Downloads. Here, press the Clear Download Cache option and it will delete the Steam download cache.

You can now re-attempt to download or update on Steam and check if the issue is gone.

7] Scan your drive for errors

You also need to make sure that there are no drive errors on your PC as it might trigger the disk write error on Steam. Try running the CHKDSK tool on Windows PC that checks for drive errors and attempts to repair them. It will also check for bad sectors on your drive and repair them if any are found.

8] Provide full control to the Steam folder security

Try providing full control to the Steam folder security to resolve this error. You can follow the below steps for doing so:

Firstly, go to the Steam installation directory using method (4).
Now, right-click on the Steam folder and select Properties.
Next, in the General tab, uncheck the Read-only (Only applies to files in folder) option.
After that, move to the Security tab and click the Edit button.
Then, under the Group or user names, select your user account name.
Now, check the Allow box for Full Control and press Apply > OK button.
Finally, relaunch the Steam app with administrator privilege and reattempt the action that was giving you the disk write error. Hopefully, the issue will be fixed now.

9] Disable your antivirus or firewall protection

If nothing works for you, there are a few instances in which antivirus or firewall protection is at fault. If Steam is incorrectly identified as a potential threat, you may receive this error. Try disabling your antivirus and firewall protection to see if the issue is resolved. If it resolves the issue, you can be sure that your antivirus or firewall is the main culprit.

Now, if you don’t want to completely disable your antivirus, add Steam to the exceptions of your antivirus. You can also whitelist Steam in Windows Firewall.

10] Change your internet connection from Public to Private

If the issue still persists, you need to change your internet connection profile settings. If your internet connection profile is set to Public, change it to Private. Changing the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection profile from Public to Private has fixed the issue for many users. Maybe it will work for you too. The following instructions will guide you on this:

Open your Windows 11/10 Settings (Win + I).
Go to Network & internet.
Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (depending on the type of internet connection you have).
Select Private under the Network profile type section.

11] Change the download region

Changing the download region, sometimes fixes the issues on Steam. You can try this fix and see if it helps. Change the download region in Steam Client. Follow the steps written below:

Open the Steam Client.
Go to “Steam > Settings.”
Select Downlaods from the left side.
Now, click on the Download Region drop-down and change your download region.

We hope you find this guide helpful if you are experiencing the disk write error on Steam.

Read: How to fix Steam Error Code 83 on Windows PC

How do I check the health of my hard drive?

You can check the health of your hard drive using WMIC or Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line on Windows 11/10. You can enter a simple command and then check the status of your hard drive. There are several free third-party software programs available to check hard disk health. You can try HDD Expert, GSmartControl, and some more free hard disk health checker software.

How do I fix a corrupt Steam download?

To fix a corrupt Steam download, change your download region or clear up the Steam download cache. You can also try removing read-only permission for the Steam folder, disabling your antivirus, and shutting down unnecessary background processes. If nothing works, you can try uninstalling Steam and then reinstalling it on your PC.

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