Steam Error Code 324: How to Fix It
Easy 15-60 minutes depending on game size and download speed Medium Severity
Verified June 2026
- Error Code
- 324
- Brand
- Steam
- Product Type
- game_launcher
- Severity
- Medium
- DIY Difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated Fix Time
- 15-60 minutes depending on game size and download speed
Ad
Tools You'll Need
- Windows Command Prompt (administrator) or Mac Disk Utility
- Stable internet connection
- Sufficient free disk space (at least equal to the game's installed size)
How to Fix Error Code 324
-
Restart Steam Completely
-
Verify Integrity of Game Files
-
Clear Steam Download Cache
-
Change Your Download Region
-
Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily
Only disable antivirus temporarily and re-enable it as soon as testing is complete. Do not browse the web or open unknown files while protection is off. -
Check Your Hard Drive or SSD for Errors
Back up any important data before running a disk check, especially if your drive has been making unusual noises or showing other signs of failure. -
Move Steam Library to a Different Drive
-
Reinstall the Affected Game
Check if the game stores save data locally in its own folder (not Steam Cloud). Back up your save files before uninstalling if needed. Common save locations include Documents or AppData folders on Windows.
Ad
When to Call a Professional
If chkdsk reports a high number of bad sectors or your drive is making clicking or grinding sounds, your hard drive or SSD may be failing and should be examined or replaced by a computer repair technician. Additionally, if Error 324 persists across multiple games and multiple reinstalls with no pattern, a hardware-level storage issue may be beyond typical DIY troubleshooting. Contact Steam Support at help.steampowered.com if you have completed all steps and the error remains isolated to a single game, as it may require a server-side fix or account-level intervention.Frequently Asked Questions
What does Steam Error Code 324 mean?
Steam Error Code 324 indicates that a downloaded game file is corrupted or incomplete. Steam detected that one or more files do not match what is expected, which prevents the game from running correctly. This usually happens due to an interrupted download, antivirus interference, or a storage drive issue.
Will verifying game files delete my saved progress?
No. Verifying the integrity of game files only checks and replaces corrupted or missing game files — it does not touch your save data. However, if your saves are stored locally (not in Steam Cloud), it is always a good habit to back them up before making changes, just in case.
How long does verifying Steam game files take?
It depends on the size of the game and the speed of your storage drive. Small games may verify in under a minute, while large open-world games with 50–100+ GB of data can take 10–30 minutes or longer. An SSD will verify noticeably faster than a traditional hard drive.
Why does Steam keep downloading corrupted files?
Repeated corruption usually points to one of three causes: a consistently overloaded or faulty Steam download server (try changing your region), antivirus software quarantining files mid-download (add Steam to your exceptions list), or a failing hard drive with bad sectors (run chkdsk or Disk Utility to check). Identifying which cause applies will solve the recurring issue.
Do I need to reinstall all of Steam to fix Error 324?
No, reinstalling the entire Steam client is rarely necessary for Error 324. The error is specific to a game's files, not the Steam client itself. You should only reinstall the affected game after exhausting the verification and cache-clearing steps. A full Steam reinstall is a last resort and should not be needed for this error.