Try these fixes for Steam Download Paused Disk Write Error on Windows

Steam needs no introduction, it’s a reputed platform that lets you buy and install games, interact with other players and many more. Steam is also useful for developers beyond what it can be for gamers. It’s pertinent to mention large companies and small indie creators use the platform to distribute their games.

 Regardless of its robustness and resourcefulness, this Steam platform runs into problems. Countless users have claimed they are facing Steam Disk Write Error while downloading or updating a game on Steam platform, while some users have encountered this error while launching a game that needs an update.

It’s noteworthy to mention there could be several reasons for getting this error such as:

#. There are defects in the hard drive.

#. Presence of Corrupted or outdated files in the Steam directory

#. Interference of Security software

#. Perhaps the drive or Steam folder is write-protected

If you are too stuck with this error and desperately wants to get rid of it, follow our suggested guidelines.

Try these Methods to Troubleshoot Steam Download Paused Disk Write Error

Method 1: Restart Steam & Computer

In this first method we suggest you to restart your PC and then Steam as well. This practice will remove minor glitch from the PC and the Steam. To proceed with the method follow the below mention guidelines:

Method 1: First of all open any Steam Window > In the top-left corner, click the word “Steam” to open a drop-down menu

Step 2: From the drop-down menu, select “Exit” (Windows) or “Quit Steam” > Steam will close.

Step 3: Now open Steam again and log back in if you have been logged out

Follow the steps to Restart your PC:

Step 1: Click the “Start” icon > Navigate to “Shut down or Sign Out” > Restart

Method 2: Turn Off your Antivirus Program

You are most likely to face the above mention error due to the over protectiveness of your Antivirus Program. In such scenario, we suggest you to disable your Antivirus Software temporarily. Often times this security software recognize the game files as a threat and hence it prevents the updating/installing process.

Method 3: Check your Firewall

It’s pertinent to mention certain Firewalls may prevent Steam connecting to its servers. So make sure your Firewall is disabled to prevent Steam Disk Write Error.

Method 4: Run Steam as an administrator

In this method we suggest you to run Steam as an administrator to give it complete access to your system, running Steam with admin privileges will allow it to write data to your hard disk.

To run Steam as an administrator:

Step 1: In the Search bar type “Steam”, right-click and select “Run as administrator”

Step 2: Click “Yes” when prompted to grant the required permissions> Once done then see if the issue resolved or not.

Method 5: Verify Integrity of Game files

You are likely to face this error if some of your game files are either corrupted or deleted unintentionally. In such scenario, it’s imperative to verify the integrity of the Game files.

Here’s how:

Step 1: In Steam, navigate to the Library >Right-click on the game where Steam Disk error occurs and tap on Properties

Step 2: Click Local Files >Verify Integrity of Game files…

Step 3: Wait until the game cache verification finishes > close the Window in Steam and exit Steam.

Step 4: Re-launch Steam, then download and install the game and see if the issue still persists.

Method 6: Run flushconfig

Several users have claimed that running flushconfig resolved their issue; you can also give a try to this method.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Firstly Exit Steam completely> Now press Windows + R keys together > the copy and paste steam://flushconfig into the box and click OK

Step 2: Now click OK to confirm the flush

Step 3: Then Restart your PC > afterwards press the Windows keys & R keys together > Copy and paste %ProgramFiles(x86)% into the box and click OK

Step 4: Double-click on the Steam Folder

Step 5: Locate and double-click on Steam (or Steam.exe) to launch Steam

Step 6: Download/upload your game again and see if the issue resolved or not

Method 7: Set Steam folder Security to full control

In most of the cases, users face the disk write error due to lack of permissions to run Steam. So your user account must have the full access.

To proceed follow the below mention guidelines:

Step 1: Firstly Exit Steam > Use Windows + R keys together, then copy and paste %ProgramFiles(x86)% into the box and click OK

Step 2: Right-click on Steam and click Properties > Uncheck the box before Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)

Step 3: Now click the Security tab and then click Edit

Step 4: Under Group or user names: click your user account (ENYA – PC in my example), then check the box Allow for Full control.

Step 5: Click Apply >OK > then use Windows logo key and then type Steam > then right-click on Steam and click Run as administrator

Method 8: Remove Disk Write Protection

If your disk is write protected, you are likely to face the above mention error, so in order to tackle the error remove the disk write protection.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Use Windows + R keys and type in cmd > then right-click on Command Prompt and click Run as administrator

Step 2: Type the following commands and press Enter after each (# is the number of hard drive where you get this error).

Step 3: Close the Command Prompt window> Re-plug the hard drive and see if the issue resolved or not.

Method 9: Remove the 0 KB file

One of the prominent reasons for facing the above mention error is the 0KB file. So we recommend you to delete this file.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Use Windows + R keys together then copy and paste %ProgramFiles(x86)%  and press Enter

Step 2: Then navigate and double-click on Steam> Steamapps >common

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom and if you see the file that is 0KB in size, delete the file

Method 10: Delete corrupted files in log

Corrupted files may also manifest this error, so it is suggested to delete corrupted files in log. Here’s how:

Step 1: Use Windows + R keys together > hen copy and paste %ProgramFiles(x86)% into the box and click OK

Step 2: Navigate and double-click on Steam> logs> content_log

Step 3: Then scroll down to the bottom of the file, and see if there’s a failed to write error.

#. If yes, then follow the name and path of the error, and remove the corrupted file > then proceed with 5

Go for an Automatic Solution

These were some of the tried and tested measures to tackle the Steam Download Paused Disk Write Error. But if you are someone who needs a quick and hassle free solution, in such scenario, we suggest you to use our recommended PC Repair Tool. This professional tool is capable for fixing the error without any annoyance. On addition, this tool will enhance your system performance and speed as well.

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Wrapping Up

That’s all folks! We have tried our best to provide all the possible methods to fix the above mention error. Along with the manual methods we have provided an automatic repair tool to fix the error without any hassle. So you can choose either of the ways to solve the error.