Steam Cloud status error for Half-Life 2 and Episodes

[Calmly Frenetic]

EDIT: Although it has not been properly fixed, you may be able to hide the symptoms by playing the game again so that the config.cfg file gets updated.

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The update to the Steam Client on March 4, 2022
https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/?feed=steam_client
which added additional Steam Cloud status information to the Library, caused an ongoing cloud status error for Half-Life 2.

The error seems to only happen with Half-Life 2 and its two Episodes, but not with other games, and not even with closely related Source games such as Portal. So the problem may be with the game setup rather than the Steam Client.

Examples from discussions:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3186864655205091384/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3186864655211525180/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3186865924590318111/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/420/discussions/0/4924132112049878635/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3269059787431413664/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3269060963458016926/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3410929406911129882/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3410929607726585271/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3410930328927521099/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3454842150496529094/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3448087385660489915/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/5267542371385226326/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3424446023726621774/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3362523432274049198/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3761104049335707011/


A review of the cloud_log.txt file
...\Steam\logs\cloud_log.txt
showed that the error is due to the "remote" copy of the config.cfg file.

Something is causing this file to be deleted:
...\Steam\userdata\<steamID>\220\remote\cfg\config.cfg

When the Steam Library page for Half-Life 2 is first opened, the automatic sync check sees that the file is missing and shows "Out of sync" next to the CLOUD STATUS icon as well as "Steam Cloud Out of Date" next to the game name in the list (which turns blue).

Clicking on "Out of sync", then selecting "Retry Sync", only temporarily hides the problem.


The error can reliably be re-produced in these scenarios:

1. After running then quitting the game, the cloud sync completes then the remote copy of config.cfg gets deleted after a short delay (less than a minute). Exiting then restarting Steam produces the cloud status error on the Library page.

2. If the "Retry Sync" button is used, it downloads the cloud copy of config.cfg to the remote folder. If the computer is fully rebooted (Shutdown or Restart, not Sleep or Hibernate) that file gets deleted, and starting Steam produces the cloud status error on the Library page.


Another symptom of this problem is that the game fails to appear in the "Recent Games" shelf on the Home page of the Steam Library.


After sharing detailed information with Steam Support, including troubleshooting with reference to the Steam Cloud FAQ
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6736-QEIG-8941
they "do not have a fix for you at this time".
The cloud error does not prevent the game from starting, so they have little incentive to devote resources to the problem.


If the problem affects you too, please comment below.
If you are inclined to contact Steam Support, you are welcome to link back to this discussion.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/3410930328918432425/

[Warlordninja]

I've been having this problem too, for Half Life 2 and Portal 2.

[Calmly Frenetic]

Originally posted by Warlordninja:

I've been having this problem too, for Half Life 2 and Portal 2.

I haven't seen it happen with Portal 2.
When it does for you, can you see anything in the cloud_log.txt file that indicates why?
Look for recent entries that include "[AppID 620]".

[Azgana]

I have the same problem from months.
Everytime I reboot my computer, when I click on Half Life 2 game on my Steam library, I get the Steam Cloud error.

[Calmly Frenetic]

The update to the Steam Client on August 18
https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/?feed=steam_client
included an encouraging item:

Steam Cloud
Fixed persistent “Steam Cloud out of date” message for some apps which do not have Steam Cloud fully enabled

It did NOT fix the error for Half-Life 2.

[Azgana]

My Steam app received an update today, but the problem still occurs. I think they don't want to fix this problem :-(

[MafiaWizard]

3 months later and still no fix. Slightly annoying

[Calmly Frenetic]

It's been over 6 months since they broke it.

But that's not long in "Valve Time".

[Biiox]

I have also noticed this and can confirm this is still ongoing https://i.imgur.com/z31MhNF.png
I'm gonna send a ticket to support as well, hopefully this would be resolved soon.

[Azgana]

Always the same problem for me too. It's really bad that Valve doesn't fix the problem with one of its iconic games.

[Azgana]

Originally posted by Joe Biden Gaming:

Hey I once wrote a post about this issue too, I haven't had that in a few days, so they might have fixed it??

Nope, the problem is still verifying.
Everytime I restart my PC, I have to manually re-sync the saves.

[ENIGMVTIK]

Issue's on my end as well. Just gonna have to keep manually re-syncing.

[Johnny]

I’m having the same issue with half-life two and all of its episodes. Hopefully they fix it soon. It’s really bothering me.

[benya_bai]

I have the same problem with HL2. The game doesn't even show up in the recent games list in my library. I recently contacted steam support, but they couldn't help me

[Calmly Frenetic]

Originally posted by benya_bai:

The game doesn't even show up in the recent games list in my library.

Same here. I hadn't noticed that before.
I have included a note in the original post.

[Sammadily]

Isn't happening for me.