How to fix
Steam Disk Write Error
on Windows

Hi, I play video games often, and I am using Steam. Recently, whenever I try to update any game on Steam I get an error message, stating that an error occurred during update - disk write error. I am not sure what it means. All I know I cannot update any of my games, nor can I download any new ones. Please help me!

Steam Disk Write Error is fairly common and appears whenever users are trying to download a new game or update/patch[ref en-1] the already installed one. Many users go as far as uninstalling Steam and re-downloading all games all over again, which can be an excruciating task. But do not worry, as our team compiled various solutions that can help your fix Steam Disk Write Error. 

Steam platform is a software dedicated to video games - users can download, install, update and play a variety of different games, as well as communicate with fellow gamers using voice chat, and similar. Although it one of the favorite gaming platforms, it does not avoid errors, and one of the most common ones is the disk read/write error.

The pop-up message reads the following:

An error occurred while updating [game name] (disk read error). See the Steam support site for more information

Or:

An error occurred while installing [game name] (disk write error). See the Steam support site for more information

While Steam is compatible with Linux, OS X, and iOS, the error only occurs in Windows systems; therefore, we will focus on the latter.

The causes of Steam Disk Write Error may vary, depending on your system you are running, what games you have installed, etc. Nevertheless, these are the most common reasons for the problem:

• The storage device is running out of space
• Internet connection timeout
• Corrupt drivers[ref en-2]
• Virus infections
• The device is write-protected,[ref en-3] etc.

Before you proceed with the solutions, we suggest you download and install [d1]. Run a full system scan with it, as severe malware[ref en-4] infections can cause multiple error messages.

Here is the video to help you with this issue:
[youtube mAsOqJPbXS4]

Fix 1. Restart your network hardware/computer

Starting from very basics - reboot your machine and check if that helps. Next, you should check if your computer is connected to the internet. If it is, you should restart your hardware which is connecting you to the internet. Note: DO NOT use restart or reset buttons on your device, as it might result in a factory reset process. Instead, unplug your router or modem, wait around 60 seconds and plug it back in.

Fix 2. Run Steam as Administrator

Another simple fix is to run Steam as Administrator:

• Go to the location Steam is installed (typically C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam)
• Find steam.exe file, right-click it and select Properties
• Under Compatibility tab, tick the Run this program as administrator 

  

• Restart Steam and see if the problem is fixed

Fix 3. Validate Steam files

To make sure that the game you are trying update is installed properly, you should verify integrity of game files:

• Launch Steam and go to Library
• Right-click on the game in question and pick Properties
• In Properties tab, select Local Files tab and click on Verify integrity of game files
• Steam will verify all files, with may take a few minutes. If files are verified successfully, proceed with the next solution

  

 Fix 4. Remove the 0KB file

 Deleting the 0KB file has proved to be one of the solutions that worked for most players:

• Go to C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common (default location)
• Scroll down, and if you any files that are 0KB in size, delete them
• Check if this solution worked for you by updating or installing a game

Fix 5. Remove disk write protection

If your disc is set to read-only, it can cause trouble when installing or updating games on Steam. To fix this, follow these steps:

• Press Start button and type in cmd
• Right-click on Command prompt and select Run as administrator
• Once Command Prompt opens, type in the following and hit Enter after each command (note that  "#" represents the hard drive the error occurs in):

diskpart 

list disk

select disk #

attributes disk clear readonly 

• Close down Command Prompt and see if this solution worked for you

Fix 6. Update your drivers

Drivers are important files that allow your hardware to communicate with software correctly. In some cases, they may become corrupt, outdated or faulty. You can update your drivers the following way:

• Right-click on Start button and select Device Manager
• Go to the desired device and expand the selection
• Right-click device you want to update and click Update Driver
• Then, pick Search automatically for updated driver software

  

• Wait till Windows finds new drivers online and updates them
• Restart your computer

You should repeat the process for every installed component on your computer. Without a doubt, such process might not only take a long time but also be a bit confusing. Thus, you can use third-party software that can do everything for you with just a click - download [rev id=”Smart Driver Updater”].