Why is Steam making me reinstall a game I already have installed?

Games may appear uninstalled when Steam no longer recognizes the installation files. As long as the affected game's folder is still in the proper location, attempting to launch the game will prompt a download. This will allow Steam to recognize the installation files during the download process.

How do I stop Steam from reinstalling a game?

Why does Steam re download my games when updating?

It's a way of updating files by issuing a patch file that goes through the files you have installed and make necessary changes. The alternative is that instead of a small patch file to download, you will be forced to download large amounts of data, possibly the entire game, every time the developer updates the game.

Do I have to reinstall all my games if I reinstall Steam?

You can uninstall Steam games right from your Steam Library. Once you uninstall a Steam game, it won't be playable until you reinstall it.

Why is my Steam library not detecting games?

Reinstalling your games without downloading should fix this

Many users reported that sometimes Steam doesn't recognize the installed games, which can be annoying. To fix this issue, try reinstalling the games without downloading them. Adding a Steam Library folder manually proved to solve this issue in several cases.

How To Fix Steam Showing Games as Uninstalled (Easy Fix)

How do I manually add games to my Steam library?

Does uninstalling Steam delete games?

How should I uninstall Steam? Important: This process will remove Steam and any installed game content from your machine.

Do I have to buy Steam games again if I uninstall?

Steam lets you uninstall and reinstall any game you've paid for whenever you want. The process is almost as easy as installing them in the first place.

How to clear Steam cache?

From your Steam Client, open the Settings panel by selecting "Steam > Settings" from the top left client menu. In the Settings panel, select the Downloads tab and you'll find the "Clear Download Cache" button at the bottom. Then select "OK" to confirm and acknowledge that you'll need to login to Steam again.

How do I run Steam repair?

Running Steam Repair using Windows PowerShell

To do this, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option. In the new PowerShell window, type & “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair to run the Steam service repair process.

How do I fix Steam download glitch?

The failed downloads can be a result of bandwidth settings. This can be easily rectified by clicking on Steam then Settings. Select 'Downloads' then 'Limit Bandwidth'. This will allow you to adjust your bandwidth settings depending on your internet connection speeds then click OK.

Why does Steam reset download progress?

Most probably your game got an update when your PC was off. In that case downloading starts again from beginning. You can disable auto updates for the game you are downloading.

Why are my completed games not updating on Steam?

Clear the Cache

To clear your download cache, click on Steam and select the Settings option. Next, click Downloads and activate the option Clear Download Cache. After completing the action, log back into Steam. and check if that helped solve the problem.

How do I install Steam games without redownloading?

Assuming that the game is already installed, right-click the game in your library, select Properties, go to the Local Files tab and click the “verify integrity of the game cache” button. Steam will compare whatever is installed against whatever is on its installation manifest and reacquire any files that don't match.

Why am I uninstalled a Steam game but my storage is still full?

Make sure you have updated your Windows Restore points, as they can take up a lot of room with all that unused game data being kept. If space is still not freed, back up any non-SteamCloud user data + games that keep local saves, then reinstall Steam.

What does clearing cache do?

When you use a browser, like Chrome, it saves some information from websites in its cache and cookies. Clearing them fixes certain problems, like loading or formatting issues on sites.

What does Steam cache do?

A Steam Cache or LAN Cache is a way of speeding up Steam or other content downloads on a local area network for multiple users.

What does Steam cache mean?

Steam keeps temporary downloads and other files in a "download cache," which can become oversized if you use Steam often. Clearing Steam's cache can potentially help fix games that aren't running correctly.

Do I have to pay for a game again if I uninstall it?

You can use apps you bought on Google Play on any Android device without the need to pay again. Each device must be signed in to the same Google Account. You can also reinstall an app you bought but deleted. Also, if you turn off an app that comes with your device, you can turn it back on.

Do I have to buy a Steam game twice?

You can only own a single copy of any game per steam account, in some cases, extra copies, can be given away to another steam account. So if you want to buy it again on steam, you will need a second steam account for that copy.

When should I uninstall Steam games?

If you've completed a Steam game, or if you're just tired of playing it, you can uninstall it from your PC to regain some of that valuable storage space. You can uninstall a Steam game using the Steam client or through Windows, the same way you would uninstall any other app.

Can Steam detect pirated games?

No, Steam does not recognize any cracked or pirated game installed in your computer. As long as the game is being played online by Steam, there will be no problems.

How do I download a game I already own on Steam?

Select the "All Games" tab. If you're logged into the Steam client elsewhere, the games list will reflect the installation state of your library on that machine. Next, locate your game and tap the install button to initiate your remote download.

Can Epic Games play with Steam?

An Epic Games Store player can join a Steam or Epic Games Store session listed in the multiplayer menu. A Steam player can join a Steam or Epic Games Store session listed in the multiplayer menu.