Fix the Steam Cloud Error in Windows

Have you ever encountered a “Steam Cloud Error” when running a specific game on the Steam client? It usually occurs when Steam’s Cloud Synchronization feature is disabled or the Steam server fails to load the synced data appropriately. However, there are times when another Steam client issue causes this error.

Here are several solutions to fix the Steam Cloud Error, regardless of the cause.

Why Does the Steam Cloud Error Occur?

The Steam Cloud Error typically occurs when you play the game on one computer and the progress of your game syncs perfectly, but then you launch the Steam client on another computer with Cloud Synchronization disabled. When this happens, your previously saved game progress in the cloud may not sync properly.

If Steam discovers different progress saved in the cloud than what a game is being launched with, it will most likely throw a Steam Cloud Error. As a result, it warns that if the game is launched immediately, all progress will be lost.

Don’t launch the game until you’ve completed all the fixes below. As previously stated, clicking Launch Anyway in the error window will launch the game, but your progress will be lost.

If you encounter the same error when attempting to launch the game, try the following fixes.

1. Close Steam on Other Devices

Several users on Reddit have reported that they have encountered Cloud Error on Steam when attempting to use one Steam account on multiple devices simultaneously without signing out of the first.

So, if you use a single Steam account to play games on multiple devices, log out of your Steam account and close the Steam client on all but the device where you are currently experiencing this error.

2. Restart the Steam Client

You should restart the Steam client to ensure a temporary glitch doesn’t cause the error.
Restarting Steam after closing the client will not suffice; you must end all Steam-related processes from Task Manager. To terminate these processes, follow the steps below:

  1. Right-click on Windows Start and select Task Manager to open the Task Manager.
  2. Right-click a Steam process and select End task to end it.

  3. From Task Manager in Windows 11, click End Task to terminate a Steam process.

3. Run Steam as an Administrator

Running an app as an Administrator grants it access to any data it requires to operate properly.
Running Steam as an administrator will get around any limitations imposed by the operating system that prevents proper data synchronization. To run Steam as Administrator, right-click its icon and select Run as Administrator.

Steam Cloud Error

4. Let Steam Load the Synchronized Data Properly

Giving Steam enough time to load the synced data correctly may help you fix this error. Give the client time to catch up if you’ve been booting up a game immediately after opening Steam or closing a game.

5. Check If Steam Is Down

Verify that Steam is not experiencing any technical issues. The “Steam Cloud Error” message will appear if Steam’s servers are experiencing issues that prevent the Steam Cloud service from functioning correctly.

Check the Downdetector official website to see if Steam users have reported any issues. If relevant problems are reported, watch for official announcements about the issue on Steam’s Twitter account.

When there are technical problems, you can wait for them to be resolved automatically.
If the problem is solely yours, move on to the next step.

6. Rule Out Any Internet Issues

A slow or no internet connection can prevent the Steam client from loading the synced progress. As a result, you should first rule out internet issues.

First and foremost, double-check that your PC is still connected to the internet. Try opening a website in your browser; if it never loads, see our guide on connecting to Wi-Fi but not the internet.

If you do have internet access, it may be unstable. So, If try our guide on how to fix an unstable Wi-Fi connection.

7. Ensure Cloud Synchronization Is Enabled in Steam

Ensure you haven’t disabled the Steam client’s syncing feature because the “Steam Cloud Error” directly relates to improper syncing. To confirm this, follow the steps below:

  1. Launch the Steam client.
  2. Click the Steam menu and then select Settings in the top-left corner.

  3. Navigate to the Cloud tab in the left sidebar.
  4. Check the box next to “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications that support it.”
  5. If it isn’t, check the box and click OK.

    Steam Cloud Error

If the error persists, restart Steam after you’ve enabled this setting.

8. Eliminate Any Game-Specific Issues

The next step is to rule out any issues specific to the game. Launch a different game than the one in which you are experiencing the error. If you need help with one game but not others, try resyncing that game’s data. Here are the steps you must take:

  1. First, select the game that gives you the Steam client’s error.
  2. Click “Out of sync” under Cloud Status.
  3. In the Unable To Sync window, click Retry Sync.
  4. Wait until the option for Out of sync changes to Up to date.

Try restarting the game to see if you still get the same error. Verify the game file’s integrity if so.

9. Verify the Integrity of the Game Files

If none of the fixes have resolved the problem, it could be due to corrupt game files, particularly those tracking game progress. To eliminate this possibility, you should check the integrity of the game files using Steam’s built-in feature. To run the check, follow these steps:

  1. Launch Steam.
  2. Launch your game library.
  3. Select Properties by right-clicking on the game.

Steam Cloud Error

4. The Local Files tab should be selected.

5. Click Verify the integrity of game files in the right-hand pane.

Steam Cloud Error

In the Local Files Tab of the Steam Client’s Game Properties, click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

10. Repair the Steam Library Folder

Repairing the Steam library folder will fix any issues you’ve been experiencing with your game files. To run the repair, follow the steps below:

  1. Then, click on the Steam menu in the upper-left corner.
  2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
  3. Go to the Downloads tab in the left sidebar.
  4. Click on Steam Library Folders in the right-hand pane.

  5. Hit on the three horizontal dots next to the folder path, then select Repair Folder.
    Steam Cloud Error

Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the library folder. Check to see if repairing the folder helped to fix the error. If not, move on to the next step.

11. Disable Your Antivirus or Firewall

If your game files are intact but still encounter the same problem, your antivirus program or Windows Firewall may prevent Steam from connecting to the cloud. As a result, you should disable any third-party antivirus software you are running and allow the Steam client in the Windows Defender Firewall.

12. Disable Your VPN

Although less likely, running Steam with VPN enabled can also cause problems with cloud sync. As a result, if nothing else seems to be working, disable your VPN and see if that helps.

Fix the Steam Cloud Error and Save Your Game Progress Again

Thanks to the advice provided above, you should be able to resolve the Steam Cloud Error you are currently experiencing. As a result, you will no longer lose game progress when playing on Steam. If you are still having problems, don’t hesitate to contact Steam support.

Users of Steam occasionally experience the same issue as the Steam Cloud Error. Don’t worry if the same thing happens to you; it’s also an easy fix.

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