Steam is a fantastic way to play games and keep track of your library daily. Most people now play games on their PCs and Macs differently because of what Valve made. Still, there are cases when Steam doesn’t work the way it should. It can be one of the awful times ever for a gamer. Luckily, fixing many of these errors doesn’t take too much time. And you’ll be happy to know that the Steam stuck on preallocating error is one of the errors that you can easily fix. Before we explain how it works, you should know a few things about the error.
What Exactly Is The Steam Stuck On Preallocating Error?
The Steam stuck on preallocating error happens when the Steam client keeps showing a message that Steam is allocating disk space for the game. Usually, you’ll see the message for a few seconds, and then it will move on to the next screen. But the issue turns into an error when the screen doesn’t move. You won’t be able to play the game if it stays on the screen. The error screen may stay on for hours at a time. We hope you understand how annoying the “Steam stuck on preallocating” error is.
Steam Stuck On Preallocating Error Causes
Here are some factors that could cause Steam to be stuck on preallocating errors.
1. Download Cache Full
Download cache storage is one of the most important parts of the Steam client. But if you have used up all your storage space, you may get the Steam stuck on preallocating error. Well, when the storage space is full, the preallocation message will keep showing up on the screen.
2. Firewall
Again, Windows Firewall is an essential part of the Operating System. On a normal day, it helps your PC from being hacked by outside sources. But sometimes, the same firewall can make it impossible for Steam to finish the preallocation process.
3. Overclocking
Overclocking is often done by gamers who want their games to run as well as possible. But in some cases, overclocking is why Steam is stuck on preallocating errors. For the same reason, many experts say that putting your PC back in factory settings is the best way to keep the Steam client from giving you problems.
4. Antivirus Programs
When you think about it, antivirus programs are also to blame for the Steam stuck on preallocating error. This is because antivirus programs may also list the Steam client as a bad program, just like a firewall (which is not the case, of course.) Because of this, Steam might be unable to do normal things, such as preallocating disk space.
5. Download Server Issues
Did you know that in different parts of the world, Steam has different download servers? Depending on where you live, you might use one of these download servers. If one of these servers isn’t working, you may get Steam stuck on preallocating error. On top of these, the Steam stuck on preallocating error can also be caused by problems with the Steam client. You can’t find a single reason or solution for the issue. You have to try different methods until you find one that works.
Well, that’s what the guide says to do. So here are some ways to get rid of the “Steam is stuck on a preallocating error” message on your computer.
How To Easily Fix The Steam Stuck On Preallocating Error?
We’ve covered simple and more complicated ways to get rid of the Steam stuck preallocating error on your PC.
Method 1: Basic Solutions
Before discussing solutions that have to do with the Steam client, you should try some simple things. It’s hard to explain why these steps solve the error where Steam gets stuck on preallocating. But, as it turns out, you can get rid of the error sometimes. And it’s wonderful if you can solve the preallocating error message without going so deep.
1 – You must ensure your PC is connected to the internet. Even if you are connected to a WiFi network, you may not always be able to use the internet. In these situations, you’re likely to get the error “Steam stuck on preallocating.” So, as soon as you see this error message, you should check to see if you can connect to the internet.
2 – Another important thing to check is whether or not Steam has admin rights on your computer. If it doesn’t have admin rights, the Steam client might have trouble setting things up and show you the Preallocation error page. You can make it work by going to Steam.exe, right-clicking, clicking “Compatibility,” and click “Run this program as an administrator.”
3 – Another important aspect you have to double-check is whether Steam has admin privileges on your PC. If it does not have admin privileges, the Steam client may have trouble setting things up and show you the Preallocation error page. You can make it possible by going to Steam.exe > Right-click > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator.
4 – If this is the first time you’ve seen the Steam stuck on preallocating error, you should restart your PC. A clean restart should fix the problem if the error happens because of mismatched or temporary files. So, after the reboot, you can use Steam and the library. You can move to other solutions if the issue still happens after you restart.
If these steps haven’t solved the error, the problem is with the Steam client. Don’t worry; we’ve compiled a list of the best methods to do that.
Method 2: Remove The Existing Download Cache
One way to eliminate the “Steam stuck on preallocating” error is to delete the download cache. As we said before, the process will remove all the cache files that Steam downloaded in the earlier days. Using this method, you can make more room for storage and install the new game you want to play. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1 – On your PC, open the Steam client and click the “Steam” button in the top-right corner.
2 – Choose “Settings” from the next menu.
3 – There is a sidebar panel on the left. Click “Downloads” to move forward.
4 – Once you’re in the Downloads tab, you can find several options.
5 – Now, click the “Clear Download Cache.”
You’ll have to confirm the action if asked. The Steam client will remove the system’s download cache in a few seconds. Restarting your PC after removing the download cache to make the fix go more smoothly.
Method 3: Try Different Download Servers
As we said, the Steam stuck on preallocating error can also be caused by a broken download server. It’s a good idea to change the download server and see if the problem still happens. This is how,
1 – Follow the instructions from the previous method and open the “Downloads” tab on the Settings page.
2 – There’s a section called “Download Region” that you can find for.
3 – You can now choose another Steam download region from the drop-down menu.
After making the changes, you can click “OK” and shut down the Steam client. For more efficiency, you might want to connect to the internet again.
Method 4: Disable Overclocking On Your PC
If you’ve overclocked your PC, it may be using more resources than it should. Unfortunately, the Steam stuck on preallocating error is likely to happen. So, the best way to determine if the problem is still there is to turn off all the overclocking options.
If the error message “Steam stuck on preallocating” goes away when you turn off overclocking, you’re good to go. To follow off overclocking, you need to do the same steps you did to turn it on in the first place. Depending on the PC and the motherboard, you may have an easy-to-use tool for managing speed. You can choose this option if you wish to spend the least time and effort.
Method 5: Disable Windows Defender Firewall
If you want to eliminate the Steam stuck preallocating error on your computer, try disabling the Windows Defender Firewall. Of course, you shouldn’t disable the firewall for good. But it will let you understand if the firewall is blocking the Steam client from doing basic things. You have to turn off Windows Defender Firewall.
1 – Use the Start menu or Search to open the Control Panel.
2 – Select Windows Defender Firewall from the list of options.
3 – You can choose whether to turn on or off Windows Defender Firewall from the menu on the side.
4 – You have to click Yes on the next pop-up screen.
5 – Wait for the next screen, where you can turn off the Windows Defender Firewall.
As we said, it’s not a good idea to always turn off the firewall. Rather, it should be seen as a temporary way to understand why Steam stuck on preallocating error is happening.
Method 6: Miscellaneous Tips
The following are additional steps you can try to fix the “Steam stuck on preallocating” error.
Well, you may have noticed that the Steam stuck on the preallocating error shows up when there aren’t enough resources on the system. So, you can always consider upgrading to better hardware for your system. For example, we suggest removing the old HDD and a brand-new SSD. Even though SSDs are expensive, they have fast transfer rates and improve gaming. Also, after upgrading to a PC with an SSD, people have noticed that they get fewer “Steam stuck on preallocating” errors.
If the problems don’t disappear after the upgrade, you will have to reinstall Steam on the system. To do this, go to Apps and first remove the Steam client. After that, you can go to Steam’s official website to download and install the setup file. Make sure you choose a new installation when you are asked. Since everything is in the cloud, your Steam account is the best way to sign in. You could also try reinstalling Windows OS if the problem isn’t solved.
If nothing else helps, the last thing you can do is contact Steam support. The official support channels are great for fixing problems that are unique to a device. You can also look for other users with the same problem in the Steam support forums.
How To Easily Avoid The Steam Stuck On Preallocating Error?
There is no one way to prevent the Steam stuck on a preallocating error from happening. As we said, there are many reasons why this happens. You can’t do anything about some of these factors. For instance, if Steam’s servers are down, you might see Steam stuck on the preallocating error page. Unfortunately, you can’t change this part.
Still, knowing the requirements of the game you want to download will reduce the number of error messages you see. It means you shouldn’t find your computer and do a lot of math to determine where the storage space is. Before downloading a game on Steam, you can use third-party apps to clean up your PC and free up storage space.
FAQs:
What Does The Preallocating Mean On Steam?
On Steam, “Preallocating” means that the Steam client is finding the appropriate amount of storage space and other digital resources for the game you have downloaded. Not only is the allocation part of the process, but some things happen before the allocation, like compatibility checks.
How Can I Make Steam Use Disk Space More Quickly?
First, you should have fast hardware available to you. For example, you can’t expect super-fast disk allocation speeds if you use a very old HDD. On the other hand, you should check to see if your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the Steam client from accessing the file system.
What Makes The Steam Stuck On Allocating Disk Space Error On Windows?
On Windows, the error in question can be caused by errors with both hardware and software. For example, a lot of downloading cache files can slow down the process in some cases. In the same way, you think your internet connection is the most likely culprit. Sometimes, the error is also caused by a mix of responsible situations.
The Bottom Line:
As you’ve seen, the Steam download stuck on preallocating error can sometimes be a bit tricky. But we’re sure one of the methods we’ve covered will help you solve the issue. Even in the worst case, a PC that has been reset to factory settings and has a new Steam client installed should do the trick.