[SOLVED] Steam Update is Stuck

Steam is one of today’s most popular and used game launchers. If you are a Steam user, you may have already encountered a problem with Steam where the Steam client update gets stuck no matter how many hours you leave it updating. Even if the computer is restarted multiple times, the Steam update gets stuck mid-way.

There’s no definite reason why this happens; however, multiple troubleshooting steps can be performed to fix this issue. Let’s look at some of the most effective troubleshooting steps that can fix the stuck Steam update.

Common Reasons Why Steam Update Gets Stuck

While it may be frustrating to have your Steam update stuck, understanding the reasons behind this issue can help you prevent future problems. Some common reasons why Steam updates get stuck are:

• Insufficient Disk Space: If your computer does not have enough free storage, the Steam update may get stuck. Ensure that you have sufficient disk space for downloading and installing updates.
• Slow Internet Connection: A slow or unstable internet connection can cause Steam updates to get stuck or take a long time to download. Check your internet connection and consider upgrading to a faster plan if necessary.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Firewalls and antivirus software can sometimes block or interfere with Steam updates. Make sure to add Steam to your firewall’s exception list and disable antivirus software temporarily during the update process.
• Corrupted Files: Sometimes, files required for the update process may become corrupted. This can cause Steam updates to fail or get stuck. In such cases, clearing the Steam download cache or deleting the Steam package folder can help fix the issue.
• Administrator Privileges: Steam may require administrator privileges to install updates. Running Steam as an administrator can resolve this issue.

By understanding these common reasons, you can take appropriate measures to prevent Steam updates from getting stuck in the future. If you still experience issues, follow the troubleshooting steps provided in this article to resolve the problem and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.

• See Also: How to fix getting Windows ready stuck error

How to Fix Steam Update Stuck

First Method – Run Steam as an Administrator

Reports show that the stuck Steam update gets fixed by simply running the launcher as an administrator. Follow these steps to run Steam as an administrator.

1. Locate the Steam launcher icon on your desktop and right-click on it. Select “Run as Administrator” and click “Yes” on the confirmation pop-up.

2. Your Steam launcher will open and will run as an administrator. However, remember that Steam will only run as an administrator if you perform this step. To permanently run it as an administrator, proceed with the following steps.
3. Right-click again on the Steam launcher icon and click on “Open File Location.”

4. Right-click on the Steam launcher icon in the folder and click on “Properties.”

5. Click on “Compatibility” and put a checkmark on “Run this program as an administrator,” click “Apply,” and click “OK.”

1. Launch Steam and confirm if this has fixed the issue.

Second Method – Turn Off Windows Defender

There are some cases when Windows Defender would mistakenly block folders of files and put them in quarantine. This leads to the application not launching or working correctly. By disabling Windows Defender, we would know if it is the cause of the issue.

1. Open Windows Defender by clicking on the Windows button, type “Windows Security,” and press “Enter.”

2. Click on “Virus & Threat Protection” on the Windows Security homepage.

3. Under Virus & Threat Protection Settings, click “Manage Settings” and disable the following options:

• Real-time Protection
• Cloud-delivered Protection
• Automatic Sample Submission
• Tamper Protection

4. Once all the options have been disabled, run the Steam Launcher and confirm if this has fixed the issue.

Note: If the issue has been fixed, you now need to put the Steam folder to the exclusions of Windows Defender

Third Method – Excluding Steam from Windows Defender

If you have determined that the Windows Defender is causing the issue, you must exclude the Steam folder from getting quarantined.

1. Open Windows Defender by clicking on the Windows button, type “Windows Security,” and press “Enter.”

2. Under the “Virus & Threat Protection Settings,” click on “Manage Settings.”

3. Click on “Add or Remove Exclusions” under Exclusions.

4. Click on “Add an exclusion” and select “Folder.” Choose the “Steam” folder and click “Select Folder.”

5. Launch Steam and check if this has fixed the issue.

Fourth Method – Clear the Steam Download Cache

If the Steam update gets stuck while downloading or updating a game, you should clear the Steam Download Cache. By clearing the Steam Download Cache, you are removing all the download cache of your games, including the corrupt files potentially causing the issue.

1. Open up the Steam client on your computer.
2. Click the “Steam” option on the upper right corner of the Steam homepage and click “Settings.”

3. In the Settings window, click “Downloads” and “Clear Download Cache.” You will then see a confirmation message in which you must click “OK” to confirm.

4. After clearing your Download Cache, we suggest restarting your computer and opening Steam once again to confirm if the issue is already fixed.

Fifth Method – Delete the Steam Package Folder

In some instances, the required update package gets corrupted while Steam updates, causing Steam to get stuck while updating the client or the games. You start fresh, and you can delete the Steam Package folder. This is where all the Steam updates are housed before implementing the updates.

1. Right-click on the Steam launcher icon and click on “Open File Location.”

2. In the Steam folder, look for the “Package” folder and hit “delete” on your keyboard or the “Delete” option on top of the Window.

3. Launch Steam and let it download updates, and confirm if this has fixed the issue.

Final Words

Most popular games nowadays require Steam to be launched, and if it fails to work correctly, launching your favorite game may not be possible. Our guide is tailored to cater to even those who are not savvy when fixing issues with Steam updates.

If this guide has helped you, share it with your friends or family to know what to do if they experience this problem.