How to Fix a Steam Disk Write Error

Few things are more frustrating than trying to install or update a game on Steam and getting hit with the dreaded Disk Write Error. It usually shows up when Steam can’t write game files to your hard drive. The good news? It’s usually fixable. Here’s how to troubleshoot and get back to gaming.

What Causes a Steam Disk Write Error?

A few common culprits:

• Corrupted files or folders
• Drive permission issues
• Antivirus or firewall blocking Steam
• Faulty drive sectors or full disk
• Outdated Steam client or OS

Let’s walk through how to fix it.

1. Restart Steam and Your PC

Sometimes it’s that simple. Restart Steam first. If that doesn’t work, reboot your PC. This clears temporary glitches that might block file access.

2. Clear the Download Cache

Go to:

• Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache

Then restart Steam and log in again.

3. Run Steam as Administrator

Right-click the Steam shortcut and choose Run as administrator. This gives Steam elevated permission to write to protected areas of your drive.

4. Check Your Drive for Errors

If your hard drive has bad sectors, it can trigger write errors.

• Open Command Prompt as admin
• Type: chkdsk /f C: (replace C: with the drive where your games are)
• Press Y to schedule the scan, then restart your PC

5. Verify Integrity of Game Files

• Go to your game library
• Right-click the game with issues
• Select Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files

Steam will scan and replace any corrupt or missing files.

6. Delete the 0 KB File

Sometimes a 0 KB file in the Steam folder causes issues.

• Go to Steam/steamapps/common
• Look for any file that’s 0 KB in size
• Delete it and retry the update or install

7. Check Write Permissions

Make sure your Steam directory isn’t set to read-only.

• Navigate to your Steam folder
• Right-click > Properties
• Uncheck Read-only if it’s selected
• Click Apply

8. Disable Antivirus or Add an Exception

Security software can falsely flag Steam as a threat. Temporarily disable your antivirus and try again. If that works, add Steam to your antivirus’s exception list.

9. Change the Download Region

Sometimes a regional Steam server might be glitchy.

• Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads
• Change the Download Region to a different one
• Restart Steam

10. Reinstall Steam (Last Resort)

If all else fails:

• Back up your SteamApps folder to keep your games
• Uninstall Steam
• Reinstall from store.steampowered.com

Then move your backed-up games back into the new Steam folder.

Final Thoughts

Steam Disk Write Errors are annoying, but usually not serious. Most of the time, they’re caused by a permissions hiccup, a corrupted file, or overprotective antivirus software. Follow the steps above, and you’ll be back in the game fast.

Got a different fix that worked for you? Drop it in the comments!