A Steam Cloud error appears when the files on your computer don’t match those stored in the Steam Cloud. This error can prevent accidental loss of game progress, so it’s important to resolve it before launching a game.

What Causes the Steam Cloud Error?

When you experience this error, you’ll typically one of these messages:

• Steam Cloud Error
• Steam was unable to Sync your files for (game) with the Steam Cloud
• Unable to Sync

These messages appear when Steam checks your local game files and they don’t match the saved data in the Steam Cloud. This mismatch usually occurs when playing games on multiple computers, though it can also happen on a single system.

The most frequent cause of Steam Cloud errors occurs when you make game progress on one computer and then launch the same game on another computer not set to sync with the Steam Cloud. Because the data doesn’t match, Steam issues a warning. Depending on the error, you may be able to play the game anyway or try synchronizing again.

How to Fix the Steam Cloud Error Message

To fix your Steam Cloud error, attempt the following steps:

1. Retry the synchronization. If the error message offers a Retry Sync option, use it. The issue might have been temporary, related to Steam or your internet connection.

   If the message is gone, check your Library for Cloud Status Out of Sync  next to the play button. Click Out of Sync, and then select Retry Sync.

   If you have a Steam Cloud warning that gives you the option to play the game anyway or launch anyway, do not select those options. Playing the game without resolving your cloud issue could result in a loss of game progress.

2. Ensure Steam isn’t down. Verify the official Steam feed, or an unofficial status site like Steam Status for any outage reports.

   If Steam is experiencing issues, try again later. Service outages can disrupt cloud synchronization and result in errors.

3. Check your internet connection. A slow or unreliable connection can hinder Steam Cloud synchronization.

   If this is the issue, assess your connection speed and quality and resolve any internet problems. After resolving, attempt to sync again using the instructions from step one.

4. Enable Steam Cloud synchronization on your computer. A frequent cause of this error is having synchronization turned off on your current computer while having it enabled on another.

   Navigate to Steam > Settings > Cloud > Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for apps that support it. Click OK, restart Steam, and attempt to play the game again.

   Steam may present you with an option of which save data to use when you launch your game. Check the date on the different options and choose the one that corresponds to the last time you played to avoid losing progress.

5. Perform a complete restart of Steam. If your game still won’t sync, ensure you’ve fully shut down and restarted Steam. Open Task Manager, right-click Steam, and select End Task. Also, end any other Steam processes like Steam (32 bit) and Steam Client WebHelper.

   After completely shutting down Steam, reopen it and check for synchronization.

6. Verify the integrity of your game files. Issues with local game files can be resolved by verifying them.

   To verify, right-click the game in your Steam library, then click Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files.

   This process can a while if your storage drive is slow or the game is large.

7. Repair your Steam library folder. If verifying game files didn’t solve the issue, repairing the library folder might help.

   Click Steam > Settings > Download > Steam Library Folders. Click the more icon (three horizontal dots) and choose Repair Folder.

8. Adjust antivirus and firewall settings. Ensure your antivirus and firewall programs allow Steam access. For instance, you can permit Steam to bypass Windows Defender without completely disabling it.

   Optionally, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, add an exception for Steam or consider switching to different firewall or antivirus software.