How to Fix Counter Strike 2 (CS2) DISK WRITE ERROR on Steam

Counter-Strike 2 is a newly launched competitive multiplayer FPS title which is a true successor to Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) that’s available on Steam for the PC version. Though the title has received plenty of positive reviews on the platform, it seems that there are several bugs and issues present in it. Several players are experiencing the Counter Strike 2 (CS2) DISK WRITE ERROR on Steam while downloading or updating the game which is frustrating a lot.

This specific message typically appears when Steam users try to install or download a new game or update a patch version. Even if you don’t update the game and launch it, the particular error message might appear in case an update is pending for the game. The Steam disk write error occurs at any time whenever Steam becomes unable to download and save the game data to the storage. It usually shows an error message “An error occurred while installing the game (disk write error)”.

How to Fix Counter Strike 2 (CS2) DISK WRITE ERROR on Steam

The disk write error with the game on Steam can happen due to several possible reasons such as the disk drive or Steam folder being write-protected on Windows, some defects on the hard disk, the antivirus or firewall protection blocking Steam from downloading and saving data, corrupted or missing game files, conflicts with the Steam application, issues with the Steam download cache, an outdated game patch version, and more. So, if you’re also facing this issue then don’t worry.

Luckily, here we’ve shared with you a couple of possible workarounds to fix the disk write error issue on Steam. Make sure to follow all troubleshooting methods until the problem has been fixed. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Restart the PC

It’s highly recommended to restart the PC completely to avoid temporary glitches or cache data issues that can prevent game-launching scenarios. Though it’s a common method and won’t help everyone, you should try it once.

2. Force Close Steam

You should force close Steam from your system and manually relaunch it again to ensure there is no temporary glitch troubling you. To do so:

• Close and exit Steam > Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open Task Manager.
• Now, go to the Processes tab > Click on the Steam task to select it.
• Select End Task to stop the specific process running in the background.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the PC to apply changes.
• Finally, launch the Steam client again, and run the game.

3. Check for Steam Client Updates

It’s also a better idea to manually exit Steam and then close it from the background processes before relaunching it. Whenever you launch Steam freshly on the system, it automatically checks for the available updates. If any update is available, it’ll automatically start downloading and installing the update without doing anything else. Even restarting the Windows and then launching Steam can do the job for you. Otherwise, follow the steps below to do so:

• Open the Steam client > Click on the Steam tab at the top left.
• Select Check for Steam Client Updates.

4. Update Counter Strike 2

Even an outdated game patch version can trigger several potential issues with the game’s launching. It’s suggested to check for the game update periodically and install the latest update whenever available. You can follow the steps below to do the same.

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Click on Counter Strike 2 from the list.
• Now, Steam will automatically search for the available update.
• If a new update is available, click on the Update button.
• Wait for a while until the game update completes.
• Once done, make sure to close the Steam client.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes.

5. Verify and Repair the Game Files

Sometimes missing or corrupted game files on the PC may cause some issues with the game application launching or disk-related errors. So, scanning and repairing the game files might be helpful enough.

• Launch the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Counter Strike 2 from the list of installed games.
• Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.

• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
• Once done, just restart your computer.

6. Clear the Steam Download Cache

Sometimes issues with the game launcher’s cache files may cause game errors. You should try clearing the cache from the client or server. To do so:

• Open the Steam client > Go to the Steam tab from the top left side.
• Click on Settings > Click on the Download tab.

• Now, click on the Clear Download Cache button.
• Once done, log back into your Steam account and relaunch the game.

7. Ensure the Storage Space is Free Enough

Another thing you should do is to simply free up the storage space on the PC (especially the game installation disk drive) to check if the problem has been fixed or not. The chances are high that somehow the low storage space before the game installation and even after installing the game on the computer. So, in both cases, unfortunate players are having some issues.

8. Remove the Disk Write Protection

Write protection prevents a computer from altering or adding files to a folder or an entire drive. If you believe this to be the source of the problem, verify which drive your Steam games are stored on, and then remove write protection from that drive.

• Click on the Start menu > Type cmd.
• Right-click on Command Prompt from the search result.
• Select Run as administrator > If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to proceed.
• Once the command prompt window opens, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

diskpart

• Now, run the command below:

list disk

• Run the following command:

select disk #

• Finally, execute another command below:

attributes disk clear readonly

• Once done, close the command prompt, and restart your computer to apply changes.

9. Turn Off Read-Only Settings for the Steam Folder

If the Steam directory is set to read-only, then the whole directory is write-protected. Go to the Steam folder properties and make sure the read-only setting isn’t selected.

• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Type %ProgramFiles(x86)% and hit Enter to open Program Files.
• Right-click on the Steam folder from the installation directory.
• Go to Properties > Go to the General tab.
• Do not select the Read-only option at the bottom. (If it’s selected)
• Click on Apply and then select OK to save changes.
• Make sure to restart the PC.

10. Run Steam as an Administrator

It’s also recommended to always run the Steam.exe application as administrator on the Windows system so the User Account Control (UAC) can allow all the access properly. Sometimes the system may think you’re trying to run the game without authorizing it. This is a one-time process, so you can follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the Steam.exe app on your PC from the installation directory.
• Now, select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Now, click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to enable it.
• Click on Apply and select OK to save changes.

11. Delete the Corrupted Steam Files

When something goes wrong while Steam is downloading a game, it may create a corrupted file that causes the Steam disk write error. To fix this problem, go to the main Steam folder and open the steamapps/common directory. If you see a file with the same name as the game you’re trying to play that is 0 KB in size, delete it and attempt to download or launch the game again.

• Close Steam and end task from Task Manager.
• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Type %ProgramFiles(x86)% and hit Enter to open Program Files.
• Open the Steam folder > Go to the Steamapps folder.
• Open the Common folder > Scroll to the bottom and delete the 0KB file (if any).
• Once done, restart your computer, and check the Steam Disk Write Error.

12. Run the SFC Scan

SFC (System File Checker) tool is useful to check whether any program file or a disk drive has some issues not on a Windows system. If there is an issue, you can try manually fixing it by following the steps below. To do this:

• Click on the Start Menu and type cmd.
• Now, right-click on Command Prompt from the search result.
• Select Run as administrator > If prompted, click on Yes to give admin privileges.
• Type the following command in the cmd window and hit Enter to execute it:

sfc /scannow

• Now, wait for the process to complete. Sometimes it may take extra time.
• Once done, reboot the PC, and check for the issue again.

13. Run the Disk Defragment

Running the disk defragment process can eventually increase the lifespan of the hard disk and keep the system file management performing well enough. Make sure to close all foreground running applications and then follow the steps below to run disk scanning or defragment.

Please Note: Do not perform disk defragmentation on SSDs (Solid State Drives). If you aren’t sure what type of disk drive you have, check your PC specifications first.

• Open the Start menu > Go to File Explorer.
• Right-click on the hard drive that you want to defrag.
• Select Properties > Click on the Tools tab.
• Click on Optimize > Select the specific drive or volume where the Steam is installed.
• Click on Optimize again and confirm the task.
• Wait for the process to complete.
• Once done, reboot the PC.

14. Disable Windows Firewall

If you’re using the default Windows Firewall protection on your PC to block unauthorized ongoing processes with the game files or even the client then you should turn it off temporarily and check for the issue again. To do this:

• Click on the Start Menu > Type Firewall.
• Select Windows Defender Firewall from the search result.
• Now, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left pane.
• Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option for both the Private & Public Network Settings.
• Once selected, click on OK to save changes.
• Finally, restart your computer to apply changes.

15. Turn Off Antivirus

You can also try turning off the antivirus protection feature on your PC to ensure there is no antivirus software blocking the game files from running properly.

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Click on Windows Security from the left pane.
• Now, click on the Open Windows Security button.
• Go to Virus & Threat Protection > Click on Manage settings.
• Next, you’ll need to simply turn off the Real-time protection toggle.
• If prompted, click on Yes to proceed further.

Note: If you’re using any other third-party antivirus program on your PC then just turn off the real-time protection feature.

16. Reinstall Steam on a Different Drive

If the above methods didn’t work for you then try uninstalling and reinstalling the CS2 game on your PC to ensure there is no issue with the game installation directory. Try reinstalling the game on a different drive.

• Open the Start menu and go to Control Panel.
• Click on Uninstall a program > Click on Counter Strike 2.
• Select Uninstall and follow the on-screen prompts to delete it.
• Once done, reboot the PC to apply changes, and then launch Steam.
• Now, search and install Counter Strike 2 on a different drive.
• Allow the Steam client to completely install the game.

17. Contact Steam Support

If nothing works for you, try contacting Steam Support for further assistance. Additionally, you can find more help in the Steam Community Forum regarding the same issue.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, feel free to comment below.