Steam Cloud is a super cool feature on the Steam gaming platform. It lets you save your game stuff in the cloud, so you can pick up where you left off from any device. But, sometimes syncing with Steam Cloud feels like it’s taking forever. This guide is here to dig into why this happens, how to fix it, and some smart moves to keep it from happening too much.
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What is Steam Cloud Synchronization?
Steam Cloud lets you save your game data and settings on the cloud, keeping your game progress the same no matter where you play. But sometimes, syncing up can feel super slow. Let’s get into what might cause this and how to fix it.
After you’re done playing, Steam saves your new game data to the Cloud. This way, you can continue your game on any device, right where you left off.
Related resource: How to Fix Game Stuttering on Windows 11
What causes slow syncing of Steam Cloud?
Here’s why your Steam Cloud Sync might be dragging:
- A slow or wobbly internet connection can make syncing a slog. The faster your connection, the quicker your sync.
- Big game files can slow things down. Games with massive save files or loads of data take longer to sync.
- Errors on your local disk can mess with syncing. If your game files are on a part of your hard drive that’s not doing great, syncing will slow.
- Sometimes it’s on Steam’s end. If their servers are having a tough time, it can make syncing drag on.
Pro tip: How to Know Which App is Using The Internet in Windows 11
Solutions to Steam Cloud Sync taking forever
Checking your Internet connection
First off, see how your internet connection is doing. A quick speed test online can show if it’s not up to par. If it’s looking slow, try turning your router or modem off and on again. If that doesn’t help, you might need to call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for help.
Linked issue: Ethernet Internet Speed Capped at 100 Mbps (Fix)
Disable and re-enable Steam Cloud Synchronization
Turning off and then turning back on Steam Cloud sync for your game might do the trick. But, be careful, as you might lose any game progress that hasn’t synced up yet.
- Right-click the game in your Steam library and pick “Properties”.
- Go to the “General” tab and uncheck the option “Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for [game]”.
- Close and reopen Steam to apply the changes.
- Do the steps again, but check the box to turn syncing back on.
It’s a good idea to back up your game files before trying this.
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Disabling Steam Cloud Synchronization entirely for a game
If you’re still having trouble with a game’s sync, you might decide you don’t need to sync it to the Cloud at all. This means the game won’t try to sync, which solves the delay. Just follow the steps above but leave the sync option off.
Keep in mind, you won’t be able to get to your game data on other devices if it’s not synced to the Cloud. Make sure to save any important game files somewhere safe before turning off sync, so you don’t lose anything important. Think of this as a last-ditch effort for games that just won’t sync right.
Verifying integrity of game files
Checking your game files can help find any problems that might be messing with syncing. Here’s how:
- Go to your Steam Library.
- Right-click the problematic game and select “Properties”.
- In the “Local Files” tab, click “Verify Integrity of Game Files”.
Steam will check your game files and fix any issues it finds.
Check if Steam servers are down
Sometimes, the problem is out of your control. If Steam’s servers are busy or down, it could cause syncing delays. Check out websites like steamstat.us to see if there’s a widespread issue.
A quick wrap-up
Keeping your game progress safe is important, and Steam Cloud syncing issues can throw a wrench in the works. But with these steps, you should be able to keep Steam Cloud syncing properly. Make sure your internet connection is stable, manage your save files wisely, and don’t forget to check on those game files now and then.
