Fix: Validating Steam Files Stuck At 0
Steam is a Gaming Store Platform that provides the users with almost all the latest games as soon as they are released to be digitally downloaded. The platform is used by almost all gamers and quite popular for its regional support and pricing. Validating Steam Files can be useful in cases like where Steam Disk Write Error shows up.
However, quite recently a lot of reports have been coming in of the Steam client stuck at 0 percent while trying to validate game files. Users often need to verify their game files and in this error, steam gets stuck at 0% when the process is initiated and stays there regardless of the time consumed.
What Prevents the Validation Process From Completing?
After receiving numerous reports from multiple users we investigated the issue and devised a set of solutions which solved the problem for most of our users. Also, we made a list of the reasons due to which the error was being triggered and it is displayed below.
- Bug/Glitches: It is possible that the steam client encountered a bug or a glitch and cannot continue the validation process. There are many bugs and general glitches in the Steam Client that often cause this issue.
- Game Files: If the game files have been locked or moved to another directory this issue can occur and hence prevent the client from validating game files.
- Cache: Steam stores cache files in order to decrease app loading time and make the experience better for the users however, this cache can get corrupted over time and cause issues with the validation process.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the problem we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement these solutions in the specific order in which they are provided to avoid any conflicts.
Solution 1: Restarting the Application
When you encounter the error the most basic troubleshooting step is to try to restart the Steam client after completely closing it through the task manager. This can help to reinitialize the application and might remove any bugs or glitches that arise due to the client not loading properly.
Solution 2: Deleting Download Cache
Steam stores cache files in order to decrease app loading time and make the experience better for the users however, this cache can get corrupted over time and cause issues with the validation process. Therefore, in this step, we will be clearing the game download cache. For that:
- Open the Steam client and log in to your account.
- Click on “Steam” on the top left corner and select “Settings” from the dropdown.
Clicking on the “Steam” button on the top left corner and selecting “Settings” from the drop-down. - Select “Downloads” from the left pane and click on the “Clear Download Cache” option.
Clicking on the “Downloads” option from the left pane and selecting the “Clear Download Cache” option. - The client will display a warning message that steam will be restarted and you will need to log in again, click on “OK” when this message is displayed.
Clicking on “OK” to confirm the clearing of cache. - Try to validate the files now and check to see if the issue persists.
Solution 3: Changing Region
Sometimes a certain glitch in the steam client prevents you from validating your files. In some cases, this glitch was fixed by changing the region in the steam settings. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing the download region. For that:
- Open the steam client and log in to your account.
- Click on “Steam” on the top left corner and select “Settings” from the dropdown.
Clicking on the “Steam” button on the top left corner and selecting “Settings” from the drop-down. - Click on “Downloads” in the left pane and select the “Download Region” dropdown.
Clicking on “Downloads” from the left pane and then changing the region. - Select a location that is near to you and restart the steam client.
- Try to validate your files and check to see if the issue persists.
