FIX: Steam Corrupt Disk error when downloading/updating games
- The Steam corrupt disk download error can occur when downloading or updating a game.
- You can solve this problem quickly by deleting the active download folder.
- Reinstalling the Steam client can also fix this issue fast so make sure you try it.
- Verify the integrity of the game files because this may bring things back to normal.
While trying to download a game or updating an old game, you may encounter a corrupt disk error on your Steam client. This is a common error and can occur due to several reasons.
The full error reads An error occurred while updating [your game] (disk read error) (disk corruption error), see the Steam support site for more information.
For those affected by this error, here is how to fix the corrupt disk Steam error on your Windows machine.
How do I fix the Steam Corrupt Disk error?
- Delete the active download folder
- Reinstall the Steam client
- Verify the integrity of the game files
- Repair the Steam Library folder
- Change the download folder / Steam Library folder
1. Delete the active download folder or rename it
1.1 Delete the folder
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location:
C:\Program Files\Steam\Steamapps\Downloading - Steam stores every game with a unique number. Open the first folder you see inside the downloading folder with a number. Check if it belongs to the problematic game.
- Delete the folder.
- Exit Steam if still running. Relaunch Steam and try to install the game again.
Before moving to advanced troubleshooting, consider temporarily disabling the Firewall and antivirus. Try again, and if that doesn’t help, move to additional troubleshooting steps.
Another reason for the corrupt disk error can be the corrupt game’s files. You can try to delete the game’s files that are downloading and then restart the download from the Steam client.
1.2 Rename the folder
- Locate the Downloading folder in Steamapps by navigating to the following path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps - Right-click on Downloading folder and select Rename. Rename the folder as Downloading12.
- Next, create a new folder in the Steamapps folder and name it as Downloading.
- Launch Steam and try to install the game that was giving the issue. You should be able to download and install the game now.
Rename the download folder to something else and create a new folder named downloading as shown in the steps above.
2. Reinstall the Steam client
- Type control panel in Windows search and click on Control Panel from the results.
- Now select Programs and Features.
- Find Steam within the list of programs, click on it and select Uninstall.
- Reboot your system and reinstall Steam from the official website.
- Launch Steam and you should have all the game data intact.
- If not, move the Steamapps folder from the backup drive to the following path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam folder
As a last resort, you can try to reinstall the Steam client. Uninstalling your Steam client does not delete the game data and installed games but only the client.
Once you reinstall the Steam client, it will pick up the game data and files from the folder.
However, just to be on the safer side, take a backup of the Steamapps folder by navigating to the following folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Once the backup of Steamapps folder is ready, proceed with uninstalling the Steam client.
3. Verify the integrity of the game files
- Launch Steam.
- Click on Library and select Games.
- Right-click on the problematic game and select Properties.
- Under Properties, click on the Local Files tab.
- Here, click on Verify integrity of game files.
- Steam will scan the game file for any corruption. If the verification is successful proceed with the next step.
The corrupt disk error can also occur if the game files are corrupted or missing. Steam offers a built-in tool that checks and verifies the integrity of Game files within the client.
4. Repair the Steam Library folder
- Launch Steam.
- Click on Steam and select Settings.
- Under Settings, click the Downloads tab.
- From Content Libraries, click on Steam Library Folders.
- Right-click on the Steam Library Folder (or custom library folder) and select Repair Library Folder.
- Steam will scan the folder and try to repair it if any problem is detected.
- Try to download the games and see if the error is resolved.
If the problem is due to the default Steam Library folder, try fixing it using the Repair Steam Library Folder option. Here is how to do it.
5. Change the download folder / Steam Library folder
- Launch Steam and click on Steam and select Settings.
- Click on the Downloads tab.
- Click on Steam Library Folder.
- Next, click on Add Library Folder button on the pop-up dialog box.
- Select a different drive on your system and click Select.
- Close the Setting window and try to download and install the game with a corruption disk error.
The Steam client allows you to change the Steam Library and set a custom location to download and install games. If the default Steam Library or the hard disk partition is corrupt, you can swith the drive to fix the error.
We hope that our solutions helped you fix the Steam corrupt disk while downloading error and you are able to play now.
You should also read our expert article on how to fix An error has occurred while updating a Steam game. The solutions might help you with problem too.
If you also know other possible solutions or advice, don’t hesitate to leave them in a comment below for your fellow users.
