An error occurred while updating
Steam Steam
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
This error means a game update downloaded from Steam but couldn't be applied correctly. Steam usually shows this alongside a secondary message that narrows down the cause — like a disk write error, missing files, or a network timeout. Look at the full message for the best clue.
Affected Models
- Steam (Windows)
- Steam (macOS)
- Steam (Linux)
- Steam Deck
Common Causes
- The game's files are corrupted and the update can't apply correctly over them
- Antivirus software interrupted the update process by quarantining a new file
- The download was incomplete due to a network interruption
- Not enough disk space to complete the update installation
- The Steam client itself is outdated and incompatible with the update process
How to Fix It
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Read the full error message carefully. Steam usually says 'An error occurred while updating [Game Name] (disk write error)' or similar. Fix the specific sub-error for the fastest resolution.
The error in parentheses tells you exactly what went wrong. Follow the fix guide for that specific error.
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Pause the update, wait 10 seconds, and then resume it. Sometimes a temporary network glitch caused an incomplete download.
In your Steam library, right-click the game and pause the download. Then right-click again and resume.
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Verify the game's file integrity. Right-click the game > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files. After verification completes, try the update again.
Corrupted local files from a previous failed update can prevent new updates from applying.
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Change Steam's download region. Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region. Select a different region and try updating again.
A download server issue in your current region can cause update failures. Switching regions routes to a different server.
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Check your available disk space and free up room if needed. Then update Steam itself (Steam menu > Check for Steam Client Updates). Restart Steam and try the game update again.
An outdated Steam client can fail to process updates correctly for newer games.
When to Call a Professional
Update errors are software issues you can fix yourself. No professional help is needed. If you consistently get update errors across multiple games, focus on disk space, antivirus exclusions, and running Steam as administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Steam keep failing to update the same game over and over?
A recurring update error almost always points to antivirus blocking a specific new file, or a persistent permissions issue on the game folder. Add the steamapps folder to your antivirus exclusions and run Steam as administrator. Those two changes stop most recurring update failures.
Can I play the game while it's failing to update?
Sometimes. If Steam lets you launch it despite the update error, the existing version may still work. However, if the game requires the latest update to launch (many online games do), you'll need to fix the update error first.
Does this error mean I'll lose my save files?
No. Game updates don't affect save files. Save data is usually stored in a separate folder (like Documents or AppData) and is not touched by Steam updates. Verifying files and reinstalling games also does not delete saves.