How to fix error occurred while installing or updating Steam Game?

Problem

Some Steam players encounter an error whenever they attempt to update or install the game via Steam client. The detailed error message as below:

Steam – Error
An error occurred while updating [game title]
See the Steam support site for more information

Steam – Error
An error occurred while installing [game title]
See the Steam support site for more information

Follow the below solution steps to resolve error when updating or installing game using Steam client.

Potential Causes

• Blocked by Firewall or Antivirus software.
• Background app is creating conflict with the network or other resources.
• Outdated or corrupted game installation.

Pre-check

• Restart the PC before attempting to troubleshoot.
• Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
• Update Steam client to the latest release.
• Temporary disable Antivirus software or add Steam.exe into the Antivirus exception list.
• Using Task Manager to close or exit apps that you are not using at the moment.

Solution 1: Allow Steam client in Windows Defender Firewall

1. Go to the Start Menu and select the Control Panel.
2. Click on the Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click on the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall link to open the Allowed App windows.
4. Click on the Change settings button located in the top-right section.
5. Check the boxes next to the Steam and Steam Web Helper to allow through Windows Firewall or network connections.
6. If Steam executable not showing in the list of Allowed apps and features, then click on the Allow another app button.
7. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Steam\bin and select the Steam executable file.
8. Click OK to save the change.
9. Restart the PC.
10. If still having connectivity problems, you may try to temporarily disable the firewall program. If Steam operates normally only after firewall disabled, then recheck again firewall configuration.

Note: For other Firewall software, make sure the following executable program is allowed for all TCP and UDP ports:

• steaminstall.exe
• steam.exe
• hl.exe
• hl2.exe
• steamTmp.exe

Solution 2: Clear Steam download cache

Steam saves the data every time then you login. The configuration data may becomes corrupted occasionally. You can try to fix the issue by clearing the locally cached configuration data to force Steam to download new data.

1. Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
2. Select Steam > Settings.
3. Click on the Downloads tab at the side menu.
4. Click on the CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE button.
5. Click on the OK button to proceed to clear the local download cache.
6. Exit and restart the Steam client.

Solution 3: Repair Steam Library Folder

Steam’s library folder saved all the installed games and its data. Library folders need to be writable by all the user in order to work properly including installation and to apply updates correctly. You may encounter errors if library folder has permission issues.

1. Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
2. Select Steam > Settings.
3. Click on the Downloads tab at the side menu.
4. Click on the STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS button under Content Libraries section.
5. Right-click on the Library Folder path and select the Repair Library Folder option from the context menu.
6. Click Close and exit Steam.

Solution 4: Verify integrity of local game files

Steam folder or game files saved on the hard disk could corrupt due to defective hardware, power outages, and more. Steam can fix such corruptions by scanning and verifying the files. If problems are found, Steam client will re-download the new replacement for the affected files.

1. Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
2. Click on the Library.
3. Select the problematic games.
4. Right-click on the problematic game and select the Properties option from the context menu.
5. Click on the LOCAL FILES tab.
6. Click on the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES button.
7. Steam will start to scan the game files and apply any fixes if necessary.
8. Click Close and exit Steam.

Solution 5: Change Steam library folder

Steam saves all the game and data in the C: > Program Files > Steam > SteamApps folder by default. You can try to move the files to a different partition or different hard drive and install the game.

1. Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
2. Select Steam > Settings.
3. Click on the Downloads tab at the side menu.
4. Click on the STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS button under Content Libraries section.
5. Click on the ALL LIBRARY FOLDER button.
6. Navigate to the new location.
7. Click on the SELECT button.
8. Click the Close.

Solution 6: Change download region

Steam offers game content from different server locations based on the user’s geographical location. Changing the Download Region in Steam can fix server related errors if the servers in a specific region have download performance issue.

1. Start Steam client with Run as administrator option.
2. Select Steam > Settings.
3. Click on the Downloads tab at the side menu.
4. Click on your Country or current region under Download Region dropdown menu.
5. Select the region which is nearest to your city or country.
6. Check the Download Restrictions section to ensure that No limit setting is applied.

Note: You may have to try a few regions to find the fastest one.

Solution 7: Reinstall Steam client

1. Open Steam Client.
2. Go to Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.
3. Navigate to the file path stated in Steam Library Folders and find steamapps folder.
4. Backup steamapps folder.
5. Repeat the same process for all library folders.
6. Go to Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program.
7. Locate Steam entry on the list, click on it once.
8. Click on Uninstall button and confirm any dialog boxes which may appear.
9. Restart computer.
10. Redownload Steam and run the downloaded executable on computer.
11. Add the folders again as the Steam library folders.