How do you "repair" a Steam install?

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Miles BOOfalls 25 May, 2020 @ 4:27pm

So, seriously, this has happened twice recently, where I need to fix Steam, and the only options I can think of are
1) Going to the Windows Control Panel, going to the Programs list, and looking Steam up
or
2) Re-downloading the Steam installer

and BOTH of those just seem to do an uninstall, wiping your games, and nuking your settings, without giving an option for repair.

Is there something I'm missing here? Cos I could swear, going to the Programs list in Windows used to have a Repair option for Steam.

< >

Showing 1-8 of 8 comments

↑↑↓↓←→←→BASelect 25 May, 2020 @ 4:47pm

Move your steamapps and userdata folders from the steam installation and then uninstall steam and then move your steamapps and userdata back.

wuddih 25 May, 2020 @ 5:00pm

reading the support article on this matter f.e.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9609-OBMP-2526

as this article ignores the userdata folder, i also just say: at max to back it up for safe-keeping, i certainly do not recommend to take it over to a new Steam installation, especially when you wanna "repair" something. some issues Steam can have can originate from this folder.

this being said, i only know this because i fixed other peoples crap, in 16+ years i never had to "repair" a personal Steam installation and if I did for someone else, there were always red flags of them being horrible PC users.

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 25 May, 2020 @ 5:15pm

If you want to avoid userdata folder then you only want to keep this part as this is where the screenshots are stored specifically inside the remote folder.

Steam\userdata\ Your ID here \760\

https://imgur.com/aXquaND

Last edited by Dr.Shadowds 🐉; 25 May, 2020 @ 5:21pm

Jaunitta 🌸 25 May, 2020 @ 6:43pm

Exit Steam. Dont just close it.
Click Start > Run (Windows Key + R).
Type the following command: or copy and paste
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe /repair
Launch Steam and test the issue again.
If you need it with pictures
https://thedroidguy.com/repair-steam-client-command-prompt-1120496

Wukanda 25 May, 2020 @ 6:45pm

Goodluck man !

The HopelessGamer™ 25 May, 2020 @ 8:33pm

You can make steam redownload itself without uninstalling your games.

Delete everything in the steam installation folder except for the following:

userdata
steamapps
steam.exe

Next, run steam. It will redownload itself.

When steam launches after redownloading itself, you may need to tell it where your games are installed by setting a library folder and your games should then appear as installed.

You can also click download on a game, point the game to its already installed files and the game will verify itself. Once its verified one, Steam should then automatically verify the other installed games along with it.

Last edited by The HopelessGamer™; 25 May, 2020 @ 8:47pm