How To Fix ‘Steam Disk Write Error’ in Windows

You might have encountered some errors while trying to update or install a game in the Steam client. When steam couldn’t update the process or complete the installation, this error usually occurs. Depending on the problems encountered by your PC, there might be different reasons for encountering this error. Let us try to fix this error, by trying the methods below.

Ways to Fix the Steam Disk Write Error in Windows 10

You can fix the error by trying the methods provided in this article. They can help in solving the error. Have a look.

Solution 1: Change Steam Settings

This is one of the basic methods to fix the error. By changing the download region, you might fix this error.

Basically, the Steam client detects your region automatically and sets it as default through your network. The user might encounter this disk write failed error, if the servers in that region which is specified as default are overloaded or if there are any hardware failures. So, changing the download region might help in solving the error. Follow the steps to change your download region.

Step 1: Firstly, you need to open steam and then click on settings on the drop-down menu which is present at the upper left corner in the window.

Step 2: Then, you need to select downloads and navigate to the download region.

Step 3: Now, you have to select any other region apart from that default region and then restart steam.

Finally, you can check if the error is resolved in Steam.

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Solution 2: Temporarily Disabling Antivirus/Firewall

We use antivirus software to keep computer virus in check. But, sometimes they may cause problems as well. They might be blocking some files that are essential for the Steam files to run. So, temporarily disabling the antivirus or firewall might help in fixing the error.

Firstly, you have to turn off your antivirus.

Then, you need to turn off your firewall.

No, you can check if this steam is working properly or not. If it is working properly then, you need to add an exception in the antivirus or firewall for the steam folder. Finally, do not forget to enable your antivirus or firewall back.

Solution 3: Check Directory Permissions

You can follow the steps below to check the directory permissions.

Step 1: Firstly, you have to exit steam and then navigate to your steam directory which is by default stored in program files in the C drive.

Step 2: In this step, you have to make sure that the directory is not only ‘read only’.

Step 3: Now, in this final step you have to click on run as administrator after right-clicking on the stream launcher icon in the resulting menu.

By doing this, you will be ensured that the steam directory is not marked as read-only. After ensuring that it is not only marked as read-only and then running the application in administrator mode will give all the privileges necessary to it to write the disc again. So, the problem will be sorted.

Solution 4: Run the flushconfig Command

Let us now have a look at the fourth solution in the article. In this method, you will be running the flushconfig command. Follow the steps –

Step 1: You have to press the windows button and R button simultaneously to open the run window.

Step 2: Next, you have to type steam://flushconfig in the dialogue bar.

Step 3: Now, in this step, a dialogue will be appeared asking for your permission with the command or not. You need to select yes by clicking on OK.

Step 4: How, in this step, the steam will be restarted after you pressed OK in the above step. By running this comment the configuration of steam will be reset and when you re-enter steam again, every setting in the steam will be set to its default.

Solution 5: Check Corrupt Files

In this step, you will be troubleshooting the file which was corrupted or missing, and then we will try to re-download the entire file again.

Step 1: Firstly you need to exit steam and then navigate to your steam directory which is by default in the program files in C drive. If you have chosen a custom location for Steam, then navigate to that file path.

Step 2: Next, you need to move the folder logs and then open workshop_log.txt

Step 3: Now, you have to move to the bottom of the text file and then search for recent errors.

Step 4: In this step, you have to navigate to the root folder of the mod. As the root folders of different games may vary, it has no specific file size. Delete the file that is noted above.

Step 5: Now, you can restart steam and then move to downloads. You can notice here that the steam will be asking for an update. You have to update the necessary files.

Solution 6: Removing Write Protection of The Steam Folder/Drive

If you have any applications that are installed with the right protection, then you will encounter this error. In a lot of games or applications write protection is very common as it adds enhances security.  So if you have any of the applications or games which are installed with the right protection, you might encounter this error. To disable the error, you have to disable the write protection. Then, you can launch steam and check if it is functioning normally.

Solution 7: Deleting the 0 KB Game File

A software glitch formed by the zero KB (0 KB) file can also cause this error. This file is nothing but a blank white file with the name of the game that you are having problems with. You can find this in a common folder which is located in the Steam apps folder. Also, this file doesn’t have any extension. If you delete this file you can solve this error.

Step 1: At first, you need to make sure that there are no running processes in the task manager that are related to Steam.

Step 2: Then, you have to open the File Explorer and then navigate to the path.

Step 3: No, you need to scroll to the bottom of the file in which you can find the name of the game file which you are having issues with, of the file size of zero KB, and then delete it, if found.

Step 4: Finally, launch Steam and then check if the error is sorted.

Solution 8: Move Game Folder

It is a good idea to move the game folder to an alternate file or location, as you facing issues with the current folder. If the local files that are present in the location of the game file are conflicting, then this issue can be resolved as we are moving the entire game folder to a new space. Follow the steps –

Step 1: Firstly you have to launch steam and then go to settings.

Step 2: Then, you need to click on downloads. After this, click on Steam Library Folders and then click on Add new Library folder.

Step 3: Now, you need to navigate to the file location where you want to move the game folder.

Step 4: Lastly, check if the Steam is working correctly.

Solution 9: Check Hard Drive

This error can occur if your hard disk is very old and reaching the end of its life. So checking and fixing hard drive errors can solve the problem. For doing this, you can use SFC, a powerful built-in utility by Windows. You need to back up your data before proceeding further.

Step 1: In this step, you need to run the SFC command. You should cancel this at any point of time and wait until it is completed.

Step 2: Now, you can launch Steam and check whether if the error is sorted and Steam is functioning normally.

Solution 10: Check RAM for Errors

You might encounter this error if the system’s RAM is having operating issues. You can test the RAM by using a Windows built-in RAM testing utility tool called Memory Diagnostic Tool. This can automatically check and fix memory-related issues. So, you can solve this error using Memory Diagnostic tool. Follow the steps below –

Step 1: Firstly, you have to click on start menu and then type memory in the search bar. In the following results,  you have to click on windows memory diagnostic.

Step 2: Upon clicking windows memory diagnostic you will be showing two set of options. The first option is to restart now and check for problems (recommended) and the next option is to check for problems the next time I start my computer.

Step 3: You need to select the first option. Now, after the system has restarted, you may perform a basic scan or you can also select the advanced options such as pass count or Test mix. You can start the test by simply tapping on the F10 key.

Step 4: Next, the system will be booted into the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool Environment at the next start-up. You need to wait patiently till the process is completed.

Step 5: Finally, in this step, you need to replace the faulty memory, if any that is confirmed by the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

Solution 11: Reinstall Steam

If all the above methods fail, you can try to uninstall and then reinstall Steam. This is one of the basic methods to try to fix any kind of problem. To do this, you can follow the below steps –

Step 1: Firstly, you need to create a backup of the library folder that you wish to use with the further installation.

Step 2: Then, you need to press the Windows key and then type the control panel and click on the control panel option.

Step 3: In the control panel, you have to select uninstall a program in the program option and click on it.

Step 4: Then, you need to locate and select the option and then click on uninstall option. You have to follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen so that you can complete the uninstallation process.

Step 5: In this step, you need to restart the PC.

Step 6: Now you have to download the steam client again.

Step 7: Finally, after you have completed the download, you need to launch the downloaded file. You can complete the installation process of steam by following the instructions that are displayed on the screen.

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Conclusion

Steam games is one of the largest platforms to play online games on PC. Gaming should be fun without any errors that trouble you. So, you can solve the disk write error on Steam by following the instructions that are mentioned in the article. Following the solutions, one by one can help you. You might definitely solve this error with one or the other solution that is provided in the article. I hope you can solve the error and I hope this article has helped you in doing so.

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