Steam error: Missing file privileges [Solve it now 2023]

When you are trying to update or install your Steam games, you may encounter the missing file privileges steam error message on the system’s screen. As a result, it can prevent you from updating or installing the game.

There can be several reasons behind the occurrence of this error. It may occur due to the software and hardware configuration that the player uses. Apart from that, corrupted game files can also lead to this error.

This is a common problem but you can solve it easily. If you want to know how to fix missing file privileges on Steam, then you are in the right place. Here, we are going to explain ten effective solutions to get rid of this error from Steam.

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How to Fix Missing File Privileges Steam?

There are multiple solutions to solve the Steam missing file privileges error on the Windows 10 system and we have explained each of them below in a stepwise manner. We suggest you read the entire section carefully before applying any of the given solutions so that you can select the best solution suited for the system:

Solution 1 – End igfxEm Module in Task Manager

According to the users, ending the igfxEm module is one of the most reliable solutions to fix the ‘Steam missing file privileges’ issue. To do that, follow these steps:

From the keyboard, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to launch the Task Manager window.
On the Task Manager window, find the igfxEm Module, select it. Then, click on the End Task button.
Once you are done, restart Steam and try to update the game to check if the issue still arises or not.

Solution 2 – Change the Download Region

Changing the download region can solve this error on Steam. To know more about it, follow the steps hereunder:

At first, launch Steam.
On the Steam window, click on Steam on the menu bar and select the Settings button.
From the Settings window, click on the Downloads button on the left panel and then select the Download region on the drop-down menu list to change it.
Then click on the OK button to save the changes. After doing this, update the game and check if it works properly or not.

Solution 3 – Disable Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is often the reason behind the ‘steam missing file privileges’ error on the device. So, you need to turn it off at the earliest. To turn it off, follow these directions:

Click on the Windows Home icon and select Control Panel.
From the Control Panel window, double-click on the Windows Firewall section.
When the Windows Firewall window opens, click on the Turn Windows Firewall On and Off option.
On the right, tick on Turn Off Windows Firewall option from both Public Network Settings and Private Network settings sections.
After that, click on the OK button to save the changes.

Solution 4 – Turn Off Your Security Software Temporarily

The security software can conflict with the write permissions on the Steam directory and can cause this error. So, you need to turn it off by following these directions:

Open the third-party security software.
On the third-party security software, click on the Settings button.
From the Settings window, go to the Shields section and turn off all the shields by selecting the Disable button.

After disabling, if the error still shows up, then you need to remove it from the device. Follow the steps given below:

Press the Win + I buttons to launch the Settings window.
From the Settings window, locate the Apps section, click on it. After that, select the Apps and Features tab.
On the Apps and Features tab, scroll down the page and find the Security software, select it. After that, you will get to see the Uninstall button, click on it.
Once the uninstallation process is complete, reboot your device and then check if the issue is resolved or not.

Solution 5 – Repair the Steam Library Folder

The ‘Steam missing file privileges’ error can be caused by a misconfigured or corrupted Steam library folder. So, you should repair it. Here are some steps that you can follow:

Restart the system and open Steam.
Select Steam on the menu bar and choose the Settings button.
On the Settings window, select the Downloads tab on the left pane and select STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS.
From the Steam Library folders window, right-click on the blank space and select the Repair Library Folder button.
After finishing the repair process, reboot the system and try to update the game.

Solution 6 – Verify the Integrity of the Game Cache

If the game files are corrupted, then you may find the ‘steam update missing file privileges’ error on the screen. So, you should use the ‘verify integrity of game cache’ function. Go through these steps:

At first, click on LIBRARY.
On the Library window, right-click on the game on which this error occurs and select the Properties button.
From the Properties window, go to the LOCAL FILES tab and choose the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE.
It will take some time to verify the game files on Steam. Once it is done, check if the error still persists or not.

Solution 7 – Give Administrator Privileges to Steam

If you do not have proper permission to run the Steam application, you can come across this error on the device. Let’s take a look into certain steps that you can follow:

Firstly, open the Run box, type %ProgramFiles(x86)% and then click on the OK option or hit the Enter button.
From the Programs Files window, locate Steam, right-click on it and select the Properties button.
When the Properties window opens, go to the Security tab and select the Advanced button.
On the Advanced window, make sure that the first two rows are granted Full control. If not, select the Edit button to change accordingly.
After following these steps, run the Steam application as an administrator and check if the error is fixed or not.

Solution 8 – Remove Steam Downloading Directory in Safe Mode

One of the easy ways in which you can get rid of the ‘Steam missing file privileges’ error message is to remove the Steam downloading directory in Safe Mode. Perform these steps:

Click on the Windows Start button to open the Start menu list.
Hold the Shift key, select the Power option and then choose the Restart option.
After restarting the system, a window will display on the screen. Select the Troubleshoot option and then click on Advanced Options.
From the Advanced options, select Startup Settings and then click on the Restart option.
Once the system restarts, choose the Enable Safe Mode button by pressing the corresponding button.
Once the system starts in Safe Mode, go to the following path (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\downloading\).
On the Downloading directory folder, remove all the files and then restart the device.

Solution 9 – Remove Download Cache

An alternative easy solution is to remove the download cache on Steam. Below are certain steps that you can follow to do that:

First of all, boot up Steam.
Select the View button at the top of the window.
Click on Settings.
From the Settings window, select the Downloads button on the left and then click on the Clear Download Cache option.
After performing these steps, click on the OK option and then try to install it.

Solution 10 – Reinstall Steam

If the above solutions did not help you, then you need to reinstall Steam to eliminate this error. In order to fix this issue, follow the directions hereunder:

Open the Settings window.
Go to the Apps section and select the Apps and Features tab.
On the right, find Steam and select it. Now, you will see the Uninstall button, click on it.
After uninstalling this application, restart the system and then install Steam again.
So, go to the official website of Steam and find the latest version of the Steam application.
After finding it, download and then install it properly. Once the installation process is complete, restart your computer and then check if the issue is resolved or not.