What causes the Disk Write Error on Steam?
The Disk Write Error on Steam can occur for a number of 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 those users facing the Steam disk write error, this guide will help you fix the error. Here, we will be mentioning multiple methods that will enable you to resolve this problem. Let us check out the fixes now.
How to fix Disk Write Error on Steam
Here are the fixes that you should try to resolve the Steam Disk Write Error on Windows PC: 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: In case these methods don’t work for you, you will have to use some advanced troubleshooting methods from this guide.
2] Remove disk write protection
If there is write protection 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 for the drive where the Steam games are saved and ensure that 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: If this doesn’t fix the error for you, move 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 below steps for doing so: You can now try downloading or updating on Steam and check if the error still persists or not. 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 below-listed 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 receive the disk write error on Steam if there is a corrupted Steam download cache. For doing so, in the Steam app, go to the Steam option from the main toolbar and then click on the Settings > Downloads option. 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 fix them up if any.
8] Provide full control to the Steam folder security
Try providing full control to Steam folder security to resolve this error. You can follow the below steps for doing so:
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. In case Steam is identified as a potential threat incorrectly, you might receive this error. So, try disabling your antivirus and firewall protection and see if the issue is fixed. 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:
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:
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 some third-party free software using which you can 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. Hope you find this guide helpful in case you were experiencing the disk write error on Steam. Now read:
Steam Error – Missing Content Manifest error on WindowsFix New Steam library folder must be writable error.
