Bothered by a Steam Cloud Error? Solutions Here Can Help You Out

If you encounter the Steam Cloud error when you want to play games on Steam, you can find useful solutions from this post.

What Is Steam Cloud?

The Steam Cloud enables games and the platform to harness cloud storage provided by Steam. Games can leverage Steam Cloud to store various types of data, such as game settings, saved games, profile statistics, and other user-specific information.

Additionally, numerous Steam client settings are stored in the cloud, encompassing collections, friend nicknames, and any alterations made through the Steam client Settings menu. These settings remain consistent as long as you sign in with the same account, irrespective of the machine used, as they are retrieved from the cloud upon login.

Common Steam Cloud Errors

The Steam Cloud error occurs when the files on your computer do not match those stored in the Steam Cloud. The prompt of the Steam Cloud errors is to prevent you from losing the process while playing a game. You should remove the error before you launch the game.

Here are the common Steam Cloud errors:

• Steam – Cloud Sync Conflict
• Steam was unable to sync your files for (game name) with the Steam Cloud
• Steam Cloud Error
• UNABLE TO SYNC

What can you do if you encounter such a Steam Cloud error like Steam unable to sync, unable to sync Steam Cloud, Steam Cloud not syncing, or Steam Cloud sync conflict?

You can retry the synchronization, check the status of Steam, check your internet connection, restart Steam, etc. Now, you can find how to use these methods by reading the following part.

How to Fix Steam Cloud Errors?

Fix 1. Retry the Synchronization

If the Steam Cloud error interface has a Retry Sync option, you can just click it to retry the synchronization. However, if there is no such option, you can check if there is a message saying Cloud Status Out of Sync If yes, you need to click Out of Sync, and then the Retry Sync option will be available.

Fix 2. Check if Steam Is Down At that Time

You can go to Steam Twitter to check if it states the Steam service is down. You can also go to Steam downdetector to check its real-time status.

If it is down, you should wait until Steam official solves the issue.

Fix 3. Check Your Internet Connection

Steam Cloud needs an internet connection. So, if your internet connection is disconnected or corrupted, you will encounter Steam Cloud errors like Steam Cloud not syncing, Steam unable to sync, or unable to sync Steam Cloud.

You can refer to this guide to check and fix internet connection issues: 11 Tips to Troubleshoot Internet Connection Problems.

Fix 4. Restart Steam

Restarting Steam can remove the temporary issues that may cause the Steam Cloud error. You can force close Steam in Task Manager, then relaunch it and see if the issue goes away.

Step 1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Step 2. Right-click Steam Client and select End task from the context menu. This will force close Steam.

Step 3. Relaunch Steam and see if the Steam Cloud error disappears.

Fix 5. Check if Firewall or Other Anti-Virus Software Blocks Steam

If your firewall or anti-virus software is set to block Steam by mistake, you may also encounter the Steam Cloud error. To rule out this possibility, you can make a confirmation by visiting the blacklist of your firewall or anti-virus software.

Fix 6. Verify the Integrity of the Game Files

Steam has a Verify integrity of game files function to help you fix your game issues including the Steam Cloud error. Just try this way.

How to Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam

This blog introduces how to verify game files on Steam to repair game on Steam and help you solve the game issues you are facing.

Read More

Fix 7. Repair the Steam Library Folder

You need to go to Steam > Settings > Download > Steam Library Folders, and then click the more icon and select Repair Folder.

Fix 8. Investigate Other Programs & Services

Software that alters or monitors system, disk, or network activity may cause problems during game downloads or execution. These programs and services often operate in the background and are commonly linked to software such as antivirus programs, ad-blockers, web-optimizers, firewalls, system cleaners, recording software, proxies, and performance boosters. You can close such software and services before you launch a game on Steam.

Further Information on Steam Cloud

How to Check if I Am Using Steam Cloud?

The developers can completely configure how the Steam Cloud is used for the games. For example, they can choose which user files to be uploaded.

After you access the Steam Store page, there is a Steam Cloud logo in the upper right if you use the Steam Cloud. However, precise details regarding integrated files or settings may require collaboration with the developer or the community.

How to Enable or Disable Steam Cloud?

You can enable or disable Steam Cloud on a per-game basis or as a global setting for all games. Disabling Steam Cloud for a game means that any progress typically saved via the cloud will only be stored locally on the machine where the progress was made.

For individual games:

Step 1. Right-click on the game in your Steam Library and select Properties.

Step 2. Navigate to the General tab, then you can toggle on or off the button next to Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for (game name) under STEAM COULD.

For all games:

Step 1. Access the Steam client Settings window.

Step 2. Go to the Cloud tab, where you can turn on or off the button next to Enable Steam Cloud.

Where Are Cloud Files Stored Locally?

By default, cloud files are stored locally in the following locations:

• Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata
• MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata

Game-specific cloud files:

Within the userdata folder, you can find unique Steam IDs corresponding to the Steam accounts logged in on that machine. These IDs contain folders for respective games, listed by their appIDs.

For example, you can find Age of Empires III Definitive Edition (App ID 2477660) at Steam\userdata[steamID]\2477660.

Steam client cloud files:

Changes to your Steam client settings are stored both in the cloud and locally in the following folder: Steam\userdata[steamID]\7.

Where Is the Log of Steam Cloud Activity Saved?

Steam generates log entries whenever files are written to or retrieved from the cloud. These activities are recorded in the cloud_log.txt file, typically located at:

• Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\logs
• MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/logs
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Steam/logs

A Second Way to Back up Your Game Files: Use MiniTool ShadowMaker

If you want to back up your local game files, you can try MiniTool ShadowMaker.

This is professional backup software. You can use it to back up files, folders, partitions, disks, and systems to another storage drive as an image file.

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A Second Way to Recover Missing Game Files: Use MiniTool Power Data Recovery

MiniTool Power Data Recovery is the best free data recovery software that can recover all kinds of files from a storage drive on a Windows PC. If your missing game files were saved locally on your PC previously, you can try this software to scan the source drive and see if this data restore tool can find them. If yes, you can choose the needed files to recover.

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Conclusion

You should not worry about the Steam Cloud error so much. The easy methods in this blog can help you remove the error. Additionally, if you encounter issues related to MiniTool’s software, you can let us know via [email protected].