How to Retrieve Missing Downloaded Files in Steam

A concise guide on how to restore Steam missing downloaded files:

Open Steam, and click on the "Library" button at the top of the window. Right-click on the game that is not running or having issues, and select "Properties." In the new window, click on the "Local Files" tab, then click on "Verify the integrity of the game cache." This process will check for any corrupted files. Once it's finished, try running or updating the game again to see if the issue has been resolved.

The table below outlines all the effective methods for restoring missing downloaded Steam files. Proceed to each section for detailed instructions.

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Steam Games have earned a great reputation for the wealth of fantastic games that this powerful platform has brought to gamers worldwide. Windows users might accidentally delete or remove Steam game files or install patches from their computers running Windows 10/8/7, etc.

Fortunately, you can resort to several Steam Game file recovery solutions offered by the Steam support team, knowledgeable YouTube users, and utility software mentioned here to promptly restore all your missing Steam games.

(Translation: "Recover lost Steam Game files.")

Problems with Lost Steam Game Files

Question 1: Steam is not recognizing my games, what should I do?

"It appears that Steam is no longer functioning after I upgraded my computer system to Windows 10. It's installed on the D: drive, but it fails to recognize my game files. What steps can I take to resolve this issue?"

Q 2: My Steam games seem to be uninstalled. How can I get Steam to locate my games?

"Steam seems to have lost track of the games installed on my computer. When I open Steam, the game shows up grayed out, yet I'm certain it's still in its place. How can I get Steam to rediscover my game files? Do I need to download and reinstall the game from scratch?"

Q 3. How do I recover deleted Steam game files?

"It appears that I've lost my game files on Steam after restarting my computer. When I tried to play Dota 2, Steam alerted me that no game files were detected. I'm unsure of where to locate these files. Are there any solutions available?"

When Steam stops functioning or fails to recognize your game files on your computer, it's essential to remain calm. Below, you'll find detailed solutions to help you recover lost Steam game files: 1. **Verify Game Files through Steam**: - Launch Steam and log in to your account. - Go to your Library by clicking on "Library" in the top menu. - Right-click on the game whose files are missing or corrupted and select "Properties." - In the Properties window, navigate to the "Local Files" tab. - Click on "Verify integrity of game files..." Steam will now scan and repair any missing or damaged files. 2. **Reinstall the Game**: - If verifying game files doesn't work, you may need to uninstall the game. - Go to your Library, right-click on the game, and choose "Manage" > "Uninstall." - After uninstallation, restart your computer and reinstall the game from your Steam Library. 3. **Check for Disk Errors**: - Sometimes, disk errors can cause issues with Steam games. Run a disk check using the following steps: - Press "Win + X" and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." - Type `chkdsk /f /r C:` (replace 'C:' with your system drive letter) and press Enter. - The system will prompt you to schedule a disk check on next reboot; agree and restart your PC. - Once done, check if Steam can access the game files correctly. 4. **Update Your Graphics Drivers**: - Outdated graphics drivers can lead to compatibility issues. Update them by following these steps: - Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers. - Install the downloaded drivers, then restart your computer and try launching the game. 5. **Scan for Malware**: - Malware or viruses can damage game files. Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to ensure your system is clean. 6. **Run Steam as an Administrator**: - Right-click on the Steam shortcut on your desktop and select "Run as administrator." - If this resolves the issue, create a new shortcut and make sure to set "Run as administrator" as a default option. 7. **Update Steam**: - Ensure that you have the latest version of Steam. To update, click on "Steam" in the top-left corner, then "Steam" again and select "Check for Steam Client Updates." 8. **Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall**: - Some security software may interfere with Steam. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall, then try launching the game again. - If it works, add exceptions for Steam and your game in your security software settings. 9. **Contact Steam Support**: - If none of the above solutions work, reach out to Steam support for further assistance. They may be able to provide more tailored advice based on your specific issue. Remember to always back up important game saves and files to prevent data loss in the future.

Solutions for Recovering Lost Steam Games

The approaches to resolving different Steam game loss issues vary. It's crucial to carefully select the appropriate solution to restore your missing games on Steam.

Method 1: Restore Missing Games from Steam Library

Applies to: Resolving the issue of Steam games appearing greyed out or not recognizable.

Provided by: YouTubers, Steam game players

If Steam prevents you from playing games, displaying a warning that no files were found, or if Steam games appear grayed out in the Steam LIBRARY, you can follow the steps below to verify the game files and restore playability: 1. **Open Steam**: Launch the Steam client on your computer. 2. **Go to Library**: Click on the "Library" tab located in the top-left corner of the Steam window. 3. **Select the Game**: Find the game that is giving you issues and click on it to highlight it. 4. **Right-click and choose Properties**: Right-click on the game's title and select "Properties" from the context menu. 5. **Navigate to the Local Files Tab**: In the Properties window, click on the "Local Files" tab. 6. **Verify Integrity of Game Files**: Click on the "Verify integrity of game files..." button. This will initiate a scan to check for any missing or corrupted files. 7. **Wait for the Process to Complete**: Steam will now scan all the game files and compare them with its database. This process may take some time depending on the size of the game. 8. **Reboot Steam if Needed**: If Steam finds any issues, it will repair or download the missing files. Once the verification is complete, restart the Steam client if prompted. 9. **Try Running the Game**: After the verification process and potential repairs, attempt to launch the game again to see if the issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, there might be other underlying factors such as network connectivity, permissions, or hardware issues. In such cases, further troubleshooting or reaching out to Steam Support may be necessary.

Step 1. Launch the Steam game client on your device and navigate to the Library section.

Step 2. Locate the lost game (such as Dota 2) on the left panel, right-click on it, and select "Properties".

Step 3. On the Properties window, click on "LOCAL FILES" and then select "VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES...".

Translation:

Wait for the verification process to complete, and then you can open your beloved game and play it on Steam once again.

Method 2: Add Installation Libraries/Folders to Steam and Make the Game Playable

Applies to: Steam games appear as uninstalled when Steam fails to detect the installation files.

Translators: Steam Support Team, Steam Game Players.

As long as the game's folders remain in their correct locations, when you attempt to launch a game, Steam will automatically redownload it for you. To verify if the game folders are in the right place on your PC, follow this path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\Common

If the game folder is located within the Steam files, you can relaunch the game to redownload it through Steam. Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to add alternative installation libraries or folders to Steam:

Step 1. Open Steam and navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Click on "Steam Library Folders".

This will open all of your current Steam Library folders.

Step 2. Click "Add Library Folder" to select the folder where your installed games are located.

Wait for the syncing process to complete, and your previously uninstalled games should reappear in your Steam Library. You'll then be able to play them again.

If that doesn't work, try the following tips shared by a Steam user to make your Steam game reappear in the Steam library:

Step 1. Move everything from the original Steam folder to a new folder, and rename the original (empty) parent folder into a library folder.

Step 2. Move everything from the new folder back to the library folder, then restart the client.

Step 3. Launch Steam, then go to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.

Step 4. Click "Add Library Folder" and select the newly renamed library folder.

Wait for the process to complete, and your missing games will reappear.

Method 3: Rename the ClientRegistry.blob File to Restore Missing Steam Games

Applies to: Restoring Missing Steam Game Files Resulting in Lost Games

Provided by: Geeks, Steam gamers.

The ClientRegistry.blob file contains details pertaining to your Steam installation and game setups. When you reset this file, it causes Steam to revert various settings to their default state, which can help missing games reappear in your Steam library and function properly again.

Step 1. Right-click on the Steam shortcut on your Desktop and select "Open file location" to open the Steam installation folder.

Step 2. Locate the ClientRegistry.blob file in the Steam folder, right-click on it, and select "Rename".

Step 3. Rename ClientRegistry.blob to ClientRegistry.old.blob and confirm the change.

Step 4. Restart your Steam client and see if your games have returned.

Method 4: Recover Lost Steam Game Files - Recordings & Screenshots

Applies to: Restore lost or missing Steam game files, including game installation files or recordings, screenshots.

Provided by: Geeks, tools software.

通常，当Steam无法读取或识别你的游戏文件时，可能是Steam文件位置的文件出了问题。你可以手动检查Steam游戏文件的位置，看看那些游戏文件是否还在，或者使用文件恢复工具进行全面扫描和恢复所有丢失的游戏文件。

# 1. Locate Steam Game Files on PC

How to locate Steam game files on PC? Follow this path to check if the game files are present:

C:\Steam\Userdata\55230\Remote Translation: C:\Steam\Userdata\55230\Remote

C represents the DriveLetter of the volume where Steam is installed.
Steam denotes the directory where the Steam application is installed.
55230 is the unique number assigned by Steam to your specific account.

If the files are missing, you might need to re-download the game files or proceed with the next tip to recover lost Steam game files.

# 2. Recover Lost Steam Game Files (Including Game Videos, Screenshots) If you've accidentally deleted or lost important game files, including videos and screenshots, from your Steam library, there's still hope to retrieve them. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recover your lost Steam game files: 1. **Check the Recycle Bin/Trash**: First, make sure to check your computer's Recycle Bin or Trash folder. If you recently deleted the files, they might still be there. Simply right-click on the files and choose "Restore" to put them back in their original location. 2. **Steam Cloud Sync:** If you have Steam Cloud enabled for the game, the game files, including saves, screenshots, and videos, might be backed up. Go to your Steam Library, right-click on the game, and select "Properties." In the Properties window, go to the "Updates" tab, and ensure that "Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for this game" is checked. Restart Steam, and it should download any missing files from the cloud. 3. **Previous Versions (Windows):** If you're using Windows, you can try using the "Previous Versions" feature. Right-click on the Steam folder, choose "Restore previous versions," and select a backup point before the files were deleted. 4. **File History (Windows):** If you have File History enabled in Windows, you can recover deleted files. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup" > "More options" > "Restore files from a current backup." Navigate to the Steam game folder and select the files you want to restore. 5. **Time Machine (Mac):** On a Mac, if you have Time Machine backups, connect your backup drive and open Time Machine. Navigate to the Steam folder, find the deleted files, and click "Restore." 6. **Third-Party Data Recovery Tools:** If none of the above methods work, consider using a data recovery tool such as Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. These tools scan your hard drive for deleted files and attempt to recover them. Note that these tools may not always be successful and could cost money. 7. **Contact Steam Support:** As a last resort, you can contact Steam support (https://help.steampowered.com/) and explain your situation. They may be able to provide additional guidance or assistance. Remember, prevention is key. Regularly backing up your game saves, screenshots, and videos to an external storage device or cloud service can save you from future loss.

Reliable file recovery software like Data Recovery Wizard can find lost Steam game files, including game videos and screenshots, by thoroughly scanning your computer's hard drive.

You can attempt using the tool Data Recovery Wizard to scan and recover lost Steam game files in just three steps. It supports all Windows systems, including Windows 10.

You can opt to save the recovered Steam game files in a secure location and subsequently move them back to their original position within the Steam Game folder. Following this, restart the Steam client to regain access to your playable games.

# 5. Remove Local Content and Reinstall Missing Steam Games

If you've attempted to locate or recover missing Steam game files but the issue persists and the game still doesn't work, you can try removing the local content and reinstalling the game through Steam:

Step 1. Remove local content on Steam

In your Steam Library, right-click on it and select Delete Local Content.

This image shows the process of deleting local content of Steam games.

Step 2. Reinstall your favorite Steam games

Find greyed-out games in the Steam LIBRARY, right-click on the specific game, and select "Install."

Reinstall missing Steam games.

Repeat this process for all the games you want to install. Once you've installed them all, you can restart the Steam client to resume playing games on your PC.

Bonus Tips: Backup and Restore Steam Games

In addition to being knowledgeable about highly efficient methods for recovering lost Steam games, it's equally important to learn reliable ways to back up Steam games.

Whenever you lose Steam games or locally saved game files, such as recordings and screenshots, on your computer, there are two reliable methods to ensure their safe backup. Here are the details: 1. **Manual Backup:** - Go to your Steam installation folder, usually located in `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam`. - Navigate to the `steamapps` directory, where all your game files are stored. - Copy the entire `steamapps` folder or specific game folders you want to backup. - Save the copied files in an external hard drive or cloud storage for safekeeping. 2. **Using Steam's Built-in Backup Feature:** - Open Steam and go to `Library`. - Right-click on the game you want to backup and select `Manage > Backup and Restore Games`. - Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate a backup of the game's files. Steam will create a compressed backup file that you can store externally. By using either of these methods, you can ensure that your Steam games and related data are secure and easily recoverable in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

# 1. Manually Backup Steam Games

Step 1. Launch Steam on your computer and head to the LIBRARY section. Right-click on the downloaded games you want to back up and choose "Backup Game Files..." from the context menu.

Step 2. Check the boxes in front of the games you want to back up, then click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Choose the location where you want to save your Steam games backup, then click "Next" to proceed.

Usually, the default backup location is C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/Backups/. If you want to specify another location for saving the games, click "Browse" to choose a new location.

Step 4. You can rename the backup files or keep the default generated name, then click "Next" to proceed.

Wait for the backup process to complete. The backup speed depends on the size of the games you've selected.

When you need to restore the Steam backups of your favorite games, you can simply navigate to Steam > Backup and Restore Games and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup recovery process.

# 2. Backup Local Saved Steam Game Files

Don't neglect to backup your saved Steam game files on your local drive. To proceed, you first need to identify which files are essential to backup on your PC.

First, locate the game files for backup purposes.

Game folders: C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\(including the folders listed below)

• /cfg/ - Custom configurations and configuration scripts
• /downloads/ - Custom content for multiplayer games
• /maps/ - Custom maps that have been installed or downloaded during multiplayer games
• /materials/ - Custom textures and skins
• /SAVE/ - Single-player saved games

Game recordings and screenshots in My Documents, Videos, Pictures, etc. (You should ensure the precise location where you save all your game recordings and screenshots.)

Next, Backup Game Files

You need to specify another secure drive or an external hard drive to continue the backup process.

After this, you can manually copy each folder one by one to the target device or use reliable file backup software like Todo Backup to fully back up all files at once.