[HELP] Steam updating in a loop. Keeps Extracting/Installing latest update.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

I've already tried a clean install. I've tried running as an administrator. Tried rebooting. I've tried adding -ucp to the end of the shortcut extension. I've tried pretty much everything I could find on various support forums. I'm at a loss.

[The Giving One]

Not sure if you have seen this page yet but it can often help. Please read it CAREFULLY. Note what antivirus program you have also.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

[Aliens from Planet Z]

I use microsoft security essentials.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Aliens from Planet Z:

I use microsoft security essentials.

Ok..I guess that covers the antivirus programs but what about the others on the list ? Again, please read it CAREFULLY.

Is Steam allowed ok through your firewall ?

Are you using ethernet or wireless for your connection to internet ?

[Aliens from Planet Z]

Wireless, and yes it is.

[Vigil Virus]

Same issue not using any of the programs on the list. You're not alone. Did manage to get it to boot up once after renaming client blob. However, now that I've deleted every file other than steam exe and steam apps there is no client blob file to rename and steam is still stuck in the update loop the moment it re-downloads all files.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

I've managed to get in to steam after opening/closing the update client a few times, but it keeps bugging me about updating. For now I'm going to ignore the update notification, as it lets me play games despite saying I need to update. I don't often reboot my computer so for now I at least have the symptom taken care of. I just need to find the cause.

[Vigil Virus]

I don't have a choice. Opening steam leads straight to the update letting it play out, loops the update process endlessly. Canceling means restarting steam and the loop begins again.

[Vigil Virus]

Opening the steam client several times, and then opening it again as one of the updating clients was making a download allowed me to access my account. Good luck to anyone else who hits this problem.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

It looks like you'll have to do this every time you restart for now, but at least we can get in for now.

[The Giving One]

If anyone has had this issue for a long time then often it is PC related or local network/hardware related from what I have seen in the forums here but if only recently you are seeing this then of course it is possible it is on Steam's end sometimes.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

Yeah, this is a new thing for me. Maybe the next update will fix it.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

So I've tried reinstalling steam from scratch. I removed the drivers with regedit. No change.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

Tried safe mode. It updates correctly in safe mode, but then when I try to boot it out of safe mode it borks up again.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Aliens from Planet Z:

Tried safe mode. It updates correctly in safe mode, but then when I try to boot it out of safe mode it borks up again.

That suggests there is a program or something on your PC that is causing it. Safe mode is a great way to test in this case as you seem to have found out here. Now you just have to start narrowing down the possibilities. You can start with my link in my first post here above.

[Aliens from Planet Z]

The only thing I have on that list is Skype, and I've tried doing it with Skype off.