[Solved] Steam Library folder not writable Error when Install or Update on External Hard Drive - PUPUWEB (2024)

Home » [Solved] Steam Library folder not writable Error when Install or Update on External Hard Drive

Problem: “Library folder not writable” error appear if create a new library for Steam games, especially located on external SSD or HDD drive.

Table of Contents

  • Content Summary
  • Solution 1: Make Sure Folder is not Read-Only
  • Solution 2: Reinstall Problematic Game
  • Solution 3: Perform Folder Fix from Steam Client
  • Solution 4: Use a Folder Other Than Program Files
  • Solution 5: Restart Computer
  • Solution 6: Check Hard Drive for Errors
  • Solution 7: Add Steam to Antivirus Exceptions list
  • Solution 8: Take Ownership of the Folder and Give Write Permissions
  • Reference

Content Summary

Solution 1: Make Sure Folder is not Read-Only
Solution 2: Reinstall Problematic Game
Solution 3: Perform Folder Fix from Steam Client
Solution 4: Use a Folder Other Than Program Files
Solution 5: Restart Computer
Solution 6: Check Hard Drive for Errors
Solution 7: Add Steam to Antivirus Exceptions list
Solution 8: Take Ownership of the Folder and Give Write Permissions
Reference

Solution 1: Make Sure Folder is not Read-Only

Step 1: Close Steam client by right-clicking its icon at the system tray and choosing Exit option.

Step 2: Navigate to C drive > Program Files > Steam > SteamApps > downloading folder and delete the numbered folder corresponding to the problematic game. You can find that number at Steam Apps Page by searching for game and checking the AppID number.

Step 3: Locate Steam library folder, usually located at C drive > Program Files > Steam > SteamApps.

Step 4: Right-click on the problematic folder > Properties option > General tab > Attributes section. Clear the box next to the Read-only option and click on Apply.

Solution 2: Reinstall Problematic Game

Step 1: Login with administrator account and make sure you have backup your files using Steam Cloud.

Step 2: Go to Start > Control Panel > Select to View as: Category at the top right corner then click on Uninstall a Program under the Programs section.

Step 3: Locate the problematic game in Control Panel or Settings and click on Uninstall.

Step 4: Steam client should launch and ask you to confirm choice and delete the game files from computer.

Step 5: Reinstall the game by navigating to the Library area of Steam client and locating your game from the list at the left side of the window. Right-click on the game and choose the Install game option.

Solution 3: Perform Folder Fix from Steam Client

Step 1: Open Steam client.

Step 2: Click on Steam option at the menu at the top of the client’s window and choose Settings.

Step 3: In the Settings window, navigate to the Downloads tab and click on the Steam library folders button at the top of the window.

Step 4: Locate the folder where your problematic game is located. Choose the one you want to fix, right-click on it and choose the Repair Library Folder option.

Step 5: Confirm any UAC prompts and Steam Client Service window will open to repair the folder.

Solution 4: Use a Folder Other Than Program Files

Step 1: Create a folder and make sure you disable its read-only property.

Step 2: Right-click on Steam client either on the Desktop or in Start menu and choose Run as administrator.

Step 3: Click on the Steam option at the menu at the top of the client’s window and choose Settings. In the Settings window, navigate to Downloads tab and click on the Steam library folders button at the top of the window.

Step 4: Click on Add Library Folder and select the folder you have created

Step 5: Uninstall the game by navigating to Library tab in the Steam client, locating your game in the list at the left side of the window, right-click on it and choose Uninstall option.

Step 6: Install it again from Library and make sure you select the new folder for the installation. Right-click on the game in the Library and choose Install.

Solution 5: Restart Computer

Solution 6: Check Hard Drive for Errors

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer then right-click on the drive where your problematic game is located and choose the Properties option.

Step 2: In the Properties window, navigate to Tools tab and click on Check under the Error checking section. Follow the instructions on screen in order to progress.

Step 3: Restart computer afterwards.

Solution 7: Add Steam to Antivirus Exceptions list

Step 1: Open antivirus user interface.

Step 2: The Exceptions or Exclusions setting is located in different spots with respect to different antivirus tools.

For Kaspersky Internet Security: Home > Settings > Additional > Threats and Exclusions > Exclusions > Specify Trusted Applications > Add.

For AVG: Home > Settings > Components > Web Shield > Exceptions.

For Avast: Home > Settings > General > Exclusions.

Step 3: Add Steam’s main executable file in the box which will appear prompting you to navigate to the file.

Step 4: Restart computer.

Solution 8: Take Ownership of the Folder and Give Write Permissions

Step 1: Right-click the library folder > Properties > Security tab > Advanced button. Advanced Security Settings window will appear.

Step 2: Click the Change link next to the Owner:label, Select User or Group window will appear.

Step 3: Select the user account via the Advanced button Add your user account. Optionally, to change the owner of all subfolders and files inside the folder, select the check box Replace owner on subcontainers and objects in the Advanced Security Settings window. Click OK to change the ownership.

Step 4: In Security tab of the library folder’s Properties window, click on Edit in order to change permissions and select your personal user account you set the ownership to. Change permissions to Full Control and apply the changes.

Reference

Folder not writable : Steam – Reddit
Library folder not writable problem :: Steam Help and Tips

[Solved] Steam Library folder not writable Error when Install or Update on External Hard Drive - PUPUWEB (2024)

FAQs

Why is Steam not writable on my external hard drive? ›

Many users want to install games on a newly added disk drive but face the “Steam library folder not writable” error in the process. It is mainly because the newly added disk drive bears the same letter as the old drive with a Steam Library folder. As such, you must assign a new driver letter and reformat the disk.

How do I make my Steam library on an external hard drive? ›

Open Steam, Steam menu, click settings. Choose storage on the left. Select your external drive from the little popup that appears. Once it's created the folder structure there you can move your games there by Clicking the checkboxes alongside them and clicking the Move button at the bottom.

Why won't Steam let me add a library folder? ›

When the “failed to add a new Steam library folder” issue comes out, you can first try running Steam with administrative privileges. To do this, you need to right-click the Steam shortcut icon on the desktop, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and then check the Run this program as an administrator option.

Why won't my external hard drive work on Steam? ›

Access Steam "Settings" and choose "Downloads." Select "Steam Library Folders" and click "Add Library Folder." Choose the location on your external hard drive. Confirm your selection, and Steam will recognize the external hard drive as a game installation destination.

Is it okay to install Steam on external hard drive? ›

You can install Steam games directly on your external drive once you've added a Steam Library folder into it. Although, we only suggest this if the game isn't already in your internal drives as the existing files will interfere.

How do I move my Steam library to a new hard drive? ›

Navigate to your Steam client 'Settings' menu. Open the 'Storage' tab. Select the drive where the games you wish to move are located. Select the games you wish to move, and click 'Move'

Can I use external SSD for Steam library? ›

Moving your Steam library to an external SSD can prove to be a sensible option when your internal storage is limited. The process of moving your existing Steam library to an external hard drive is seamless too, so you'll be able to get back to your game in no time.

How to fix the disk write error on Steam? ›

How to Fix the Steam Disk Write Error
  1. Restart Steam. ...
  2. Restart your computer. ...
  3. Free up space on your hard drive. ...
  4. Remove write protection from the Steam installation folder. ...
  5. Run Steam as an administrator. ...
  6. Delete corrupted files. ...
  7. Verify the integrity of the game files. ...
  8. Clear the Steam download cache.
Jun 18, 2024

How do I fix Steam installation error? ›

The specific reason for the error will be shown in the parenthesis at the end of the error message.
  1. Basic Steam Troubleshooting. ...
  2. Restart Computer. ...
  3. Clear Download Cache. ...
  4. Repair Library Folder. ...
  5. Verify Local Files. ...
  6. Change Download Region. ...
  7. Reinstall Steam. ...
  8. Move Game Folder.

How do I get Steam to recognize my library folder? ›

Launch Steam and go to Steam > Settings > Downloads and click the Steam Library Folders button. This will open the Storage Manager. Here you can see manage your game installations and locations. Near the top of the Storage Manager, click the "+" button to add another folder of your installed games.

Why is my Steam library and store not loading? ›

Restart Steam.

Don't just close the window, as Steam will continue running in the background. If you can't close Steam, you can do so from the Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Processes tab, select Steam, and click End Task. Once Steam is closed, reopen the app and try to load your library again.

How do I add an existing Steam library folder? ›

Dive into Downloads: Within Settings, locate and select 'Downloads' to find the Steam Library Folders option. Enlist Your Game Library: Here, you'll see an option to add a new library folder. Click on 'Add Library Folder' and navigate to the sanctuary of your Steam games, possibly carried over from your previous OS.

Why is Steam not writing to disk? ›

Clear the Steam download cache. If the Steam download cache is corrupted, it can cause disk write errors. To fix this problem, open Steam and navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Cache. Choose Confirm to erase the Steam cache and reboot the program.

How to get Steam to recognize games on external hard drive? ›

Click the drop-down under Storage. By default, it shows you the current game storage drive and location. Select Add Drive from the drop-down options. Click the drop-down in Add a New Steam Library Folder dialog, and select the Let me choose another location.

Do external hard drives work for Steam? ›

You can install Steam games directly on your external drive once you've added a Steam Library folder into it. Although, we only suggest this if the game isn't already in your internal drives as the existing files will interfere.

Why is my hard disk not writable? ›

There are many reasons could cause your drive read-only, and mostly they are: Drive gets locked or write protected. Computer or user account doesn't have read-and-write permission to the drive. Target drive has an unsupported file system that is not compatible with your operating system.

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