Disk Write Error

[Atlas]

Suddenly I can't download any game, the download starts but at some point it says Disk Write Error, if I press retry it downloads a bit more but get the same error after a short time.

Note that I didn't had any problem downloading games with the same disk a few weeks ago, I tried everything I saw on internet but nothing solves my problem. I though my disk was broken or something but I can install other programs or games outside of steam without problems.

[Elucidator]

I recommend looking through the Steam logs
content_log.txt inside *\Steam\logs can help provide more information on the disk write error.

[Atlas]

I tried reading it but I don't find the problem here:

[2023-01-30 15:29:28] Increasing target number of download connections to 6 (rate was 166.513, now 204.510)
[2023-01-30 15:29:28] Created download interface of type 'SteamCache' (7) to host cache1-mad1.steamcontent.com (cache1-mad1.steamcontent.com)
[2023-01-30 15:29:48] Increasing target number of download connections to 7 (rate was 204.510, now 255.093)
[2023-01-30 15:30:00] Increasing target number of download connections to 8 (rate was 255.093, now 515.816)
[2023-01-30 15:30:12] Current download rate: 491.949 Mbps
[2023-01-30 15:30:23] Downloading 50895 chunks from depot 261551
[2023-01-30 15:30:26] Detected write gap 66 MB in file "Modules\Native\AssetPackages\animations.tpac"
[2023-01-30 15:31:13] Detected write gap 72 MB in file "Modules\Native\AssetPackages\archhitecture_vlandia.tpac"
[2023-01-30 15:31:13] Current download rate: 159.729 Mbps
[2023-01-30 15:32:14] Current download rate: 131.266 Mbps
[2023-01-30 15:32:27] AppID 261550 update canceled : Failed updating depot 261551 while writing chunk, offset 44561275 (Unknown) (Disk write failure) "D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\downloading\261550\Modules\Native\AssetPackages\castle_vlandia_l2.tpac"
[2023-01-30 15:32:27] AppID 261550 update changed : Running Update,Downloading,Staging,Stopping,
[2023-01-30 15:32:27] HTTP (SteamCache,28) - cache4-mad1.steamcontent.com (155.133.246.19:443 / 155.133.246.19:443, host: cache4-mad1.steamcontent.com): Closing connection
[2023-01-30 15:32:27] HTTP (SteamCache,79) - cache1-mad1.steamcontent.com (155.133.246.12:443 / 155.133.246.12:443, host: cache1-mad1.steamcontent.com): Closing connection
[2023-01-30 15:32:27] HTTP (SteamCache,27) - cache3-mad1.steamcontent.com (155.133.246.10:443 / 155.133.246.10:443, host: cache3-mad1.steamcontent.com): Closing connection
[2023-01-30 15:32:35] AppID 261550 update changed : Running Update,Stopping,
[2023-01-30 15:32:36] AppID 261550 update changed : None
[2023-01-30 15:32:36] AppID 228980 state changed : Update Required,Fully Installed,Update Started, (Disk write failure) (Update delayed for 1253787 secs)
[2023-01-30 15:32:36] AppID 261550 state changed : Update Required,Update Queued,Update Optional,Update Started, (Disk write failure)
[2023-01-30 15:32:36] AppID 261550 state changed : Update Required,Update Optional,Update Paused,Update Started,
[2023-01-30 15:32:36] AppID 261550 scheduler finished : removed from schedule (result Disk write failure, state 0x612)
[2023-01-30 15:33:16] Current download rate: 0.000 Mbps

[Elucidator]

That one is odd

[2023-01-30 15:32:27] AppID 261550 update canceled : Failed updating depot 261551 while writing chunk, offset 44561275 (Unknown) (Disk write failure) "D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\downloading\261550\Modules\Native\AssetPackages\castle_vlandia_l2.tpac"

We can see the exact depot here:
https://steamdb.info/depot/261551/

Like you said, it seems to first establish a good connection and is actually downloading content from the same depot, but at some point it fails, in this case with a specific file, to add that properly to your local side.

Its not a connection issue, it seems more like that something is blocking its write on the disk.

I recommend looking at the disk's health first. (use crystaldiskinfo to see). It should be healthy.
If that is not the case, its likely some software blocking the write. It could be Windows Update or some Antivirus software you have on your system.

Steam kinda does weird things to bypass permissions and so Windows Update and an antivirus can cause issues with it for example.

[afk]

check steam logs

[Atlas]

I used crystaldiskinfo and it says my disk is good. I tried adding the whole D:\ to the firewall exceptions, checking windows updates, stopping the windows defender and tried again running as administrator but it keeps stopping the downloads...

[Elucidator]

You could try removing the files from the SteamLibrary\SteamApps\Downloading directory.
maybe the existing files aren't good. (It will mean your download starts over completely though)

You can also run chkdsk on the disk to fix any file system errors it may have, but I guess its error free.

[Atlas]

Already remove it (the whole folder), cleaned up the steam downloading cache, changed download region as some forums suggest and repaired the folder with the steam download folder settings ... I also tried to download a different game but it keeps saying Disk Write Error...

Some friends suggested that it could be hardware problem but I don't have any problem installing anything outside the steam app.

I also noticed that the download doesn't stop at the same point each time I restart it.
i.e. I tried downloading Nier Replicant, first attempt it stopped at 20% when disk write error appeared. I cleared the cache, deleted all the archives in downloading folder and uninstall the game via steam app just to make sure it doesn't have any residuals. I tried to download it again from 0% and then it worked until 40%...

[Elucidator]

If you're using a laptop, make sure the power profile is either set to high performance or that at least the disk will always have power.
If the target disk is connected by USB, make sure the system always gives power to it while you download. (You may need to inspect the driver settings in Device Manager).

Well, currently I am clueless.

[Atlas]

I use desktop, anyways I tried many solutions I found on internet but the problem still there... I don't think know why that happens... I don't have any problem installing from Epic for example...

[Tengu]

i have exact same problem with same logs

[Tengu]

Originally posted by Atlas:

I use desktop, anyways I tried many solutions I found on internet but the problem still there... I don't think know why that happens... I don't have any problem installing from Epic for example...

literally same for me must be something with steam

[Elucidator]

how much disk space do you have left?

For that specific game, for that depot alone you need the size on disk + compressed size of room available. I always recommend to have at least twice the game's size available on disk.

If there isn't enough room left to decompress the file on disk, it would explain the error.

[Atlas]

Disk space is not a problem, I have 900gb of free disk space.
Anyway, I managed to "solve" it.

I'm not sure which step is the one who repaired it because yesterday I did a lot of possible solutions.

So I'll list all the thing I've done so you can try Mitch:

- Clear download cache: You can find this on Steam -> Parameters -> Downloads (At the bottom)
- Change download region on the same window.
- Remove downloading folder as Elucidator suggested: Steamapps -> Downloading (You can delete the whole folder as Steam creates it when you start a new download.
- Added an exception to the firewall.
- I installed Avast ( I guess any other antivirus will make the work on this step): I did this because it overwrittes some privileges Windows Defender has and I though maybe it was a problem from it.
- Added an exception for Steam to Avast.
- Repaired steam folder : This option is on the same palce as the clear download cache, but on the top, select the disk you want to repair and press the three dots on the right corner, then repair folder.
- As Elucidator suggested on another thread, I reformated my disk to GPT (I though I already had this but I didn't so check again in case you don't have it this way).
- Downloaded windows mandatory and optional updates.
- Run a disk troubleshooting from the windows built-in troubleshooting.

I gave up and shut down the PC but at night when I tried a new download it worked.

I'm not sure if this will work for you, to be honest I don't have any idea which step repaired mine...

Anyways, I want to thank you Elucidator for spending your time trying to help me.

Good luck and sorry if I write badly but english is not my first language so I tried my best.

PS: I also checked my disk health with crystaldiskinfo .

[Tengu]

unfortunately i tried all that and didnt resolve it and the drive also has 500gb

[Tengu]

okay ive sort of fixed the problem it seems ive got to retry every time it fails it will eventually get to a point where it downloads alot of the game then same error but ive spent hours retrying got it fully downloaded and game works fine