[SOLVED] How To Fix If The Steam Update Is Stuck?

Steam is one of the most well-liked and most utilized game launchers of today. If you’re a Steam user, you might have already faced an issue with Steam where the Steam update gets stuck regardless of how many hours you leave it to update.

Even if your PC is rebooted several times, the Steam update still gets stuck mid-way. There is really no definite cause why this occurs. However, there are numerous troubleshooting methods that you can carry out for fixing this error. Let’s have a glance at a few of the most effective troubleshooting ways that can resolve the stuck Steam update.

Why Is My Steam Update Stuck?

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Well, there’s no specific reason behind the Steam update stuck issue, so here check out a few of the common ones:

Internet connection isn’t properly working
The security program is blocking your steam update
The steam server was incapable of processing your request
If you don’t have the admin rights, then it may also be the reason
Steam files get corrupted
Or you’re facing a problem while updating or installing steam games.

So, these are a few of the common causes responsible for the Steam update stuck error. Well, there’re a lot of diverse issues related to the update getting stuck or hanging issue in Steam.

How To Fix The Steam Update Stuck Error?

Follow the below mentioned fixes to resolve this issue:

Fix#1: Preliminary Solutions

Very first, it’s recommended to reboot your PC and Steam; it’s always a great idea to fix the common bugs and glitches.

Check the internet connection is properly working.

Also, temporarily disable any 3rd-party antivirus software as it may be blocking the update from downloading.

Now, try installing the update once again and see if the Steam update stuck problem is fixed or else go to the next fix.

Fix#2: Running Steam As An Admin

There are some reports that the stuck Steam update gets resolved by simply running the steam launcher with the admin privileges.

Follow the below steps for running Steam as an admin.

First of all, find the Steam launcher icon on the desktop > right-click on it.
Then, choose Run as Administrator > click on Yes on the confirmation pop-up.
The Steam launcher will launch and will run as an admin. However, keep in mind that Steam will just run as admin if you carry out this step. For permanently running it as an admin, go on with the next steps.
Simply right-click once again on your Steam launcher icon > click on the Open File Location option.
After that, right-click on the Steam launcher icon in your folder > click on Properties.
Now, click on Compatibility and put a tick in the checkbox next to the Run this program as an administrator option > click apply > OK.
Open Steam and confirm if it has resolved the error.

Fix#3: Disabling/Re-enabling The Internet Connection

Another fix that worked for most of the users was to disable the wifi/internet and plug it back in.

First off, unplug the internet connection/disable wifi.
Then, open Steam and wait for the dialogue box to open.
Now, restore your connection and continue with the login. Your steam client ought to check for the updates and later on open properly.

Fix#4: Ending All The Unnecessary Background Tasks

Make certain that you have cleared all the pointless 3rd-party background running tasks on your PC. It decreases system overload, and Memory/CPU functions fine. Moreover, closing the 3rd-party tasks can also decrease conflicts with your Steam processes or server connectivity.

First of all, hit the Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons at the same time for launching the Task Manager.
After that, click on the Processes section > click to choose tasks that are running without any need in the background and taking up enough system resources.
Then, click on End Task for closing them one by one—[Don’t close the system-related tasks which are significant].
Once everything is done, reboot the PC for applying changes immediately.

Fix#5: Turning Off The Windows Defender

There’re a few cases when Windows Defender would wrongly block folders of files and put them in quarantine.

It directs to the app not working or opening issue properly. By disabling Windows Defender, we’d know if it’s the cause of the problem.

First of all, launch the Windows Defender by simply clicking on the Windows button > entering Windows Security > hitting enter.
After that, click on the Virus and Threat Protection option on the Windows Security homepage.
Now, under Virus and Threat Protection Settings, simply click on Manage Settings > disable the following options: Cloud-delivered Protection, Real-time Protection, Tamper Protection, and Automatic Sample Submission.
Once you have disabled all of the options, run your Steam Launcher and confirm if it has resolved the error.

Note: If the problem has been resolved, you now have to put the Steam folder to the Windows Defender exclusions

Fix#6: Exclude Steam From The Windows Defender

If you’ve determined that your Windows Defender is triggering the problem, you’ll have to exclude your Steam folder from getting quarantined.

First of all, launch the Windows Defender by simply clicking on the Windows button > entering Windows Security > hit enter.
Now, under the Virus and Threat Protection Settings, simply click on Manage Settings.
Then, click on the Add or Remove Exclusions option under Exclusions.
After that, click on the add an exclusion option > choose Folder.
Next, select the Steam folder > click on the select folder.
Open Steam and see if it has resolved the problem.

Fix#7: Editing The Hosts File For Changing Steam’s Content Server

You might be facing the issue because of an issue in the Steam servers. We can try to change the hosts’ files to see if this is the issue. Remember to make use of this fix as the final resort.

First of all, click on Start > enter Notepad in the dialogue box.
After that, right-click on the Notepad > select Run as administrator.
When the notepad is launched, click the File section located on the upper left.
Then, click on Open and browse to the file location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
If you are not seeing any host files, please make certain that you’ve All files chosen from the bottom drop-down box.
Copy the following text > paste it at the end of your file.
- 142.122.70 cdn.steampowered.com
- 111.128.6 cdn.store.steampowered.com
- 111.128.7 media.steampowered.com
Save the file > exit the window.
After that, click on Start + R to open the Run window. Now we’ll flush the DNS.
In the Run dialog box, enter ipconfig /flushdns > hit enter.

Fix#8: Clearing The Steam Download Cache

If your Steam update gets stuck while updating or downloading any game, you ought to clear the Steam Download Cache. By simply clearing your Steam Download Cache, you’re removing all the download cache of your games, comprising the corrupt files that are potentially triggering the problem.

First off, launch the Steam client on the PC.
Now, click on the Steam option that can be found on the upper corner of your Steam homepage > choose Settings.
Then, in the Settings window, simply click on Downloads > Clear Download Cache. You’ll then see the confirmation popup in which you need to click on OK for confirming.
After clearing the Download Cache, we recommend rebooting the PC > launching Steam once again to confirm if the error is already gone.

Fix#9: Changing The Steam Download Region

At times, specific countries or regions might be slow. We suggest that you switch the downloads temporarily by choosing another region to get an excellent download speed.

Open the Steam application > click on settings.
After that, click on Downloads > Download Region. You might have to test numerous regions other than your own.

Fix#10: Deleting The Steam Package Folder

In a few cases, the needed update package gets corrupted while Steam is updating, making Steam get stuck while updating the games or the client. You begin fresh. You can remove the Steam Package folder. It’s where all your Steam updates are housed before implementing any updates.

First of all, right-click on your Steam launcher icon > choose Open File Location.
Now, search for the Package folder in the Steam folder > press delete from the keyboard or the Delete option on top of your Window.
Open Steam and allow it to download any updates and confirm if it has resolved the problem.

Fix#11: Disabling And Enabling The Steam Service

It is better to disable and enable your Steam service if in case your Steam service is running already. If not running, then enable it, which is significant for your program to run appropriately.

First off, hit the Windows + R button to launch the Run dialog box.
Then, enter services.msc > hit Enter for opening Services.
After that, scroll down and look for the Steam Client Service in the available list.
Now, double-click on your Steam Client Service from the list to go to Properties.
Next, choose Automatic > choose it from the Startup type option.
Click on Apply > OK for saving changes.
If in case the startup type is chosen already to Automatic, but your service is stopped, simply click on the Start button for resuming it.
Once finished, close the window > restart the computer for applying changes.

Fix#12: Repairing The Steam Client Service

The odds are also high that the Steam client service is becoming problematic somehow, and it needs repairing. For doing so:

First of all, hit the Windows + R button to launch the Run dialog box.
After that, enter cmd > hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter for running it with admin access.
Then, navigate to the installed Steam folder (location) > copy the path.
Now, paste it into your command prompt window that will look something like [Here, the location might differ on the PC relying on where you have installed it] C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe /repair > hit Enter for executing it.
Once done, close your command prompt window, and launch the Steam client again on the computer.

Fix#13: Clean Booting The Windows

If all the workarounds mentioned above fail to resolve the Steam update stuck issue, you can clean boot the Windows to stop any possible conflicting 3rd-party services or programs from starting while Steam is updating. The steps are:

Enter msconfig in the Run window > click on OK for launching System Configuration.
Under the General section, select Selective startup > tick Load system services and untick Load startup items.
Under the Services section, tick Hide all Microsoft services > click on Disable all.
Click on Apply > OK for saving the changes.

Once it is accomplished, exit the tool and reboot the PC for the changes to take effect.

Fix#14: Contacting The Steam Support Service

If none of the fixes worked for you, then try to get in touch with the Steam Support service for further assistance. Simply give them enough details to get workarounds or quick solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions Section:

Q: Why Is My Steam Download Stuck?

The steam client doesn’t download because the download server you have chosen isn’t functioning properly, or your internet connection isn’t properly working. Also, the 3rd-party security program may be blocking your download process.

Q: How Do I Skip The Steam Game Update?

Steam is set to install game updates automatically by default; however, you can skip any updates by following some steps.

After installing your steam games > navigate to Steam Library.
Then, right-click on your game name > choose Properties > click on the Updates section.
Now change the Automatic Updates to don’t update this game automatically. And like this, you can stop Steam from installing updates automatically.

Q: How Do I Resolve The Steam Download Stopping?

For resolving the Steam downloads starting and stopping problem, simply repair the Library folder, clear the Steam download cache, change your download region as your steam server may be overloaded or slow. Perhaps verifying the game files’ integrity may also work for you. But if none works, then simply reinstall your Steam client.

Conclusion:

Most well-liked games these days need Steam to be opened, and if it fails to run properly, opening the favorite game might not be possible. Our guide is tailored to help even those who aren’t tech-savvy when resolving the stuck Steam updates issue. If this tutorial has helped you, make certain to share it with your family and friends to know what to do in case they face the issue.

[SOLVED] Steam Update Is Stuck