Steam Cloud Error Unable to Sync | Easy Fix

Steam Cloud Error: Unable to Sync means your local save data (on your PC) does not match what is stored on Steam’s servers. On the error pop-up or next to the “Play” button in your library, click “Retry Sync.”

This usually happens if Steam closed too quickly after your last session, your internet flickered while uploading, or you played on a different device (like a Steam Deck) that didn’t finish uploading its save.

Here is how to fix it, ranked from easiest to most effective.

How to Fix it

1. The “Retry” Button (Try This First)

• What to do: On the error pop-up or next to the “Play” button in your library, click “Retry Sync.”

• Why: 90% of the time, it was just a temporary connection blip. Clicking it once or twice often forces the upload to go through.

2. Restart Steam

• What to do: Click Steam in the top left corner > Exit. Then relaunch Steam.

• Why: Sometimes the background service that handles uploads gets stuck. A full restart clears the queue.

3. Verify Integrity of Game Files

If a specific game keeps failing to sync, its local configuration file might be corrupt.

1. Right-click the game in your Library.

2. Select Properties.

3. Go to the Installed Files tab.

4. Click “Verify integrity of game files.”

4. Toggle Steam Cloud Off/On

This forces Steam to “re-check” the cloud status.

1. Go to Steam > Settings > Cloud.

2. Uncheck “Enable Steam Cloud.”

3. Restart Steam.

4. Go back and Check it again.

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5. The “Userdata” Fix (For Persistent Errors)

If the error won’t go away, you may need to clear the local cache that tracks cloud syncs.

1. Close Steam completely.

2. Navigate to your Steam folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata).

3. You will see a folder with numbers (this is your Steam ID). Open it.

4. Find the file named remotecache.vdf and Delete it.

5. Relaunch Steam. It will automatically rebuild this file and re-sync.

Important: The “Cloud Conflict” Dialog

If Steam asks you to choose between “Local Save” and “Cloud Save”:

• Choose Local Save: If you just played on this PC and want to keep that progress. (This uploads your current PC data to the cloud).

• Choose Cloud Save: If you played on a different device (like a Steam Deck) and want to pull that progress to this PC. (Warning: This overwrites what is on your PC).