The Manifest Unavailable Steam network error [FIX]
The “manifest unavailable” error is one that arises when the Steam client can’t access the manifest, which is a file listing. It is similar to a “missing content manifest” error that some users have posted about on the Steam forum. Players can’t download or update Steam games when those manifest errors arise. There are, however, a few potential fixes for those manifest issues.
How to fix the Manifest Unavailable (Steam Missing Content Manifest) Steam error
- Reset Internet Settings
- Change the Download Region
- Turn Off Antivirus Software
- Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall
1. Reset Internet Settings
- Players have confirmed that resetting net settings with ‘flushconfig’ and ‘flushdns’ fixed “manifest unavailable” or missing errors for them. To do that, open Run by pressing the Windows key + R hotkey.
- Enter ‘steam://flushconfig’ in Run and click OK.
- A Steam – Clear Download Cache dialog box will then open. Press the OK button on that dialog box window.
- Open the Run accessory again.
- Enter ‘cmd’ in Run, and press the OK button.
- Thereafter, enter ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ in the Command Prompt window, and press the Return key.
- Close the Command Prompt.
- Restart Windows after closing the Prompt.
2. Change the Download Region
- Users have also confirmed that changing Steam’s download region can resolve the “manifest unavailable” error. To do so, open the Steam client software.
- Click Settings at the top left of Steam.
- Select Downloads on the left of the Settings window.
- Then select an alternative region on the Download Region drop-down menu.
- Restart the Steam software.
3. Turn Off Antivirus Software
Manifest errors can be due to third-party antivirus software conflicting with Steam. So, turning antivirus software off might fix the “manifest unavailable” error. Users can usually select the ‘Turn off’ or Disable option on antivirus utilities’ system tray context menus. Right-click the antivirus utility’s system tray icon to select a ‘Turn off’ or Disable option.
Alternatively, users can add Steam to their antivirus utilities’ exceptions or exclusion lists. Then the software will exclude Steam from its scans. So, look for an exception or exclusion list on the antivirus utility’s settings window and add Steam to it.
4. Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall
The Windows Defender Firewall can also conflict with Steam. So, turn off Windows Defender Firewall to ensure that’s not blocking Steam in any way. Users can turn off the WDF in Windows 10 as follows.
- Open Cortana’s search box with the Windows key + S hotkey.
- Enter ‘Windows firewall’ in the search box.
- Select Windows Defender Firewall to open the Control Panel window as in the snapshot directly below.
- Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off to open the WDF settings shown directly below.
- Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall radio buttons.
- Press the OK button.
Those are a few of the confirmed fixes for “manifest unavailable” and “missing content manifest” errors. In addition to those resolutions, users can also try reinstalling Steam. Note, however, that the manifest error can be due to Steam server outages.
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