Steam how to fix corrupt update files​

When you’re using Steam and attempting to update a game or the client itself, you may encounter an error involving corrupt update files. This issue can lead to incomplete or failed updates, and as a result, your game may not launch correctly or may crash during play. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix these corrupt update files and get your Steam games working properly again. 

1. Issue

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand why Steam update files might become corrupted. The causes of corruption can range from minor errors in the download process, issues with your computer’s storage, problems with the Steam server, or interference from antivirus software. Sometimes, files might not install or update properly due to problems in the game’s installation directory or Steam’s cache.

2. Basic Troubleshooting

Start with some quick troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. These methods often help if the corruption is minor and can get you back into your game without too much effort.

A. Restart Steam and Your Computer

The first thing to try when you face corrupt update files is restarting Steam and your computer. Sometimes, these issues can be a temporary glitch in the system or due to Steam needing to reload files.

Close Steam: Fully exit Steam by right-clicking the Steam icon in the taskbar and selecting “Exit.”

Restart your PC: This ensures any temporary issues with system resources or background processes are cleared.

Reopen Steam: Launch Steam again and check if the issue persists.

B. Clear the Download Cache

Steam maintains a cache of updates and files to speed up the update process. However, this cache can become corrupt, leading to failed updates. Here’s how to clear it:

Open Steam.

Go to the top-left corner and click Steam, then select Settings.

In the Settings menu, click on the Downloads tab.

Scroll down and click Clear Download Cache.

Confirm the action when prompted and allow Steam to restart.

Clearing the cache can help resolve issues where corrupted files are preventing the game from updating.

3. Verify Integrity of Game Files

If the update files are corrupt, it could be that the game’s existing files are also in a bad state. Steam has a built-in tool that checks and repairs missing or corrupted files in any installed game. Here’s how to use it:

Open your Steam library.

Right-click on the game with the issue and select Properties.

Navigate to the Local Files tab.

Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam will check the game files and replace any missing or corrupt files.

This process will download any missing or corrupted files necessary for the game to function correctly, which may resolve the update issue.

4. Delete and Reinstall the Game

If verifying the integrity of the game files doesn’t work, you might need to reinstall the game completely. Although this is a more drastic step, it can clear up any deeper issues with corrupted files that are preventing the game from updating.

Open Steam and go to your game library.

Right-click the affected game and select Uninstall.

Once the game is uninstalled, reinstall it by searching for it in your Steam library and clicking Install.

Reinstalling the game ensures that no corrupted files remain from the previous installation, and the fresh install may resolve any issues with the update process.

5. Repair Steam Installation

If multiple games are showing update issues or you suspect that Steam itself has some corrupted files, it may be worth repairing the Steam installation. Repairing Steam reinstalls the Steam client and its files without affecting your games. Here’s how to do it:

A. Use Steam’s Built-in Repair Feature

Close Steam completely.

Go to your Steam installation folder. The default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.

Find and run Steam.exe in that folder, which will check the installation for any problems and try to fix them.

B. Reinstall Steam (without losing games)

If Steam’s built-in repair doesn’t fix the issue, you can manually reinstall Steam while keeping your games intact. To do this:

Uninstall Steam from your system via Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Before uninstalling, make sure to back up your game files. You can find your games in the Steam\steamapps\common directory.

After uninstalling, reinstall Steam from the official Steam website.

Once reinstalled, log into your Steam account, and Steam will recognize your game library. You can then move the backup files back into the correct folder.

6. Check Disk Space and File Permissions

Corrupt update files can sometimes result from insufficient disk space or improper file permissions. Ensure that you have enough space on your hard drive to install the updates.

Check Disk Space: Make sure the drive where Steam is installed has enough space for new updates. If it’s running low, try freeing up space by removing unnecessary files.

Check File Permissions: Ensure that Steam has proper permissions to access the installation folder. If you’re using Windows, you can right-click on the Steam folder and select Properties > Security, and ensure your user account has full access.

7. Disable Antivirus or Security Software

Antivirus programs or other security software may interfere with Steam’s update process. They can falsely flag Steam files as harmful or block parts of the update process. To fix this, temporarily disable your antivirus software while Steam is updating. Here’s how to do it:

Open your antivirus program.

Disable real-time protection or any active scanning features temporarily.

Try updating the game again in Steam.

After the update completes, you can re-enable your antivirus.

Be sure to use caution when disabling antivirus software, as it leaves your system temporarily vulnerable.

8. Change Download Server Location

Sometimes, Steam’s download servers can become overloaded or face temporary issues. If you’re encountering corrupt update files, switching to a different download server might help.

Open Steam and go to Settings.

Under Downloads, change the Download Region to a different location that is closer to you or has better server status.

Try updating your game again.

Changing the download server can bypass server-related issues and fix problems with corrupt update files caused by a bad server connection.

9. Use SteamCMD for Advanced Users

If you are an advanced user and none of the above solutions work, you can try using SteamCMD, a command-line version of Steam that allows for more control over game installations and updates. This method is more complex but can help resolve stubborn issues with corrupt updates.

Download and install SteamCMD from the official Steam website.

Use the command-line interface to log into your Steam account and force a fresh update for the problematic game.

Follow the instructions provided by SteamCMD for installing or updating specific games.

This method bypasses some of the common problems with the Steam client itself, which might help resolve the issue.

10. Check for Steam Client and Game Updates

Ensure that your Steam client is up-to-date, as outdated versions of the client can cause update issues.

Open Steam.

If an update is available, Steam will usually prompt you to download it.

Make sure that your game is also updated. Sometimes, manually checking for updates in the game’s settings or in the game properties can solve issues.

11. Contact Steam Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and still face corrupt update file issues, it may be time to contact Steam Support. Steam has a comprehensive support system that can assist with account, game, and technical issues.

Go to the Steam Support website.

Submit a ticket or search for similar problems in the community forums.

Provide detailed information about the error, including any error codes you might have seen, steps you’ve already taken, and your system configuration.

Steam Support may be able to offer more specific advice or investigate issues on their end.