How to Resolve Steam Error “1 file failed to validate and will be reacquired” in Windows 10

  • Steam is the most popular platform for distributing PC games, which offers its users a superior gaming experience.
  • Steam has been known to cause conflicts with the Windows firewall.
  • This error can also be caused by your controllers being connected to your computer.
  • In many cases, mods installed for the game may conflict with your Steam client and cause unexpected errors.

 

Welcome to a troubleshooting guide that will unravel the mysteries behind Steam Error 1 – a pesky obstacle that prevents one file from validating and requires reacquisition. Delve into this article to discover the solutions that will restore your Steam experience effortlessly.

Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve the issue by resetting any temporary glitches or conflicts that may be causing the validation error.

Deactivating mods and opening from the game folder

To fix Steam Error 1 File Failed to Validate and Will Reacquire, you can try deactivating mods and opening the game from the game folder.

To deactivate mods, follow these steps:
1. Open the game folder on your computer.
2. Locate the folder where the mods are installed.
3. Disable or remove any mods by either deleting the mod files or moving them to a different location.

To open the game from the game folder, use the following steps:
1. Open the game folder on your computer.
2. Look for the game’s executable file (usually ending in .exe).
3. Right-click on the executable file and select “Run as administrator” to ensure proper access and permissions.

By deactivating mods and opening the game from the game folder, you can troubleshoot and resolve file validation issues that may be causing the error.

Ending Steam processes and checking for bad sectors

To fix the Steam Error 1 File Failed to Validate and Will Reacquire issue, you can try two solutions.

First, end all Steam processes to ensure a fresh start. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab, and select all Steam-related processes. Right-click and choose “End Task” for each one.

Next, check for any bad sectors on your hard drive. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting “Run as administrator.” In the Command Prompt window, type “chkdsk C: /f” and press Enter. Replace “C:” with the appropriate drive letter if your Steam installation is on a different drive.

These steps should help resolve the issue and allow Steam to reacquire any corrupted files.

Disconnecting controller and disabling Firewall

To fix the Steam Error 1 File Failed to Validate and Will Reacquire, you can try disconnecting your controller and disabling your firewall. These steps can help resolve any game file validation issues you may be experiencing.

First, disconnect your controller. This can sometimes interfere with the game integrity file verification process. Once your controller is disconnected, try launching the game again to see if the issue is resolved.

Next, disable your firewall. Sometimes, the firewall can block the necessary connections for the game to validate its files correctly. To disable your firewall, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Defender Firewall.”
2. Click on “Windows Defender Firewall” to open the settings.
3. In the left-hand menu, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”
4. Select the option to “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” for both private and public networks.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

After disabling your firewall, try launching the game again to see if the error message persists.

python
import subprocess

def validate_and_reacquire_file(file_path):
try:
# Validate the file using Steam's built-in verification tool
subprocess.run(['steam.exe', '-validate'], check=True)

# Reacquire the file by verifying the game's integrity
subprocess.run(['steam.exe', '-silent', '-command', 'verify_all'], check=True)

print("File validation and reacquisition completed successfully.")
except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
print("An error occurred while validating or reacquiring the file.")
print("Error details:", e)

# Usage example
file_to_reacquire = "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\GameName\\file.ext"
validate_and_reacquire_file(file_to_reacquire)

Again, please note that the provided code is a general example and may not address the specific error accurately. It is always recommended to refer to official documentation or seek assistance from Steam support for precise steps to resolve such errors.

Deleting cfg file and local file content

To fix the Steam Error 1 File Failed to Validate and Will Reacquire, you can try deleting the cfg file and local file content associated with the game in question. This can help resolve any integrity verification issues that may be causing the error.

First, locate the cfg file and local file content for the game. These files are typically found in the game’s installation directory.

Next, delete the cfg file and local file content. This will remove any corrupted or incorrect data that may be causing the error.

After deleting these files, restart the Steam client and launch the game again. Steam will then reacquire the necessary files and perform a fresh integrity verification.

If the error persists, there may be other underlying issues with the game or your system. In such cases, it’s recommended to seek further assistance from Steam support or the game’s developer.

Remember to always back up your game files and be cautious when making changes to your system.

Refreshing Steam files and running a CHKDSK scan

  • Refresh Steam files: Clear any corrupt or outdated files in your Steam directory to resolve validation errors.
  • Run a CHKDSK scan: Detect and repair any potential issues with your computer’s hard drive that may be causing Steam validation errors.
    Refresh Steam files: Clear any corrupt or outdated files in your Steam directory to resolve validation errors.
Run a CHKDSK scan: Detect and repair any potential issues with your computer's hard drive that may be causing Steam validation errors.

Clean booting Windows and reinstalling Steam

To fix the Steam error where one file fails to validate and will reacquire, a clean boot of Windows and reinstalling Steam can help resolve the issue. Here’s how:

1. Start by performing a clean boot of Windows. This will help identify if any third-party applications are interfering with Steam. To do this:
– Press the Windows key + R, type “msconfig,” and hit Enter.
– In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
– Click “Disable all” and then go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
– In Task Manager, disable all startup items and close the window.
– Go back to the System Configuration window and click OK. Restart your computer.

2. After the clean boot, reinstall Steam by following these steps:
– Download the latest Steam client from the official website.
– Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Steam.
– Once the installation is complete, launch Steam and log in to your account.

3. After reinstalling Steam, you may need to verify the integrity of your game files. To do this:
– Open Steam and go to your Library.
– Right-click on the game experiencing the issue and select “Properties.”
– Go to the “Local Files” tab and click “Verify integrity of game files.”
– Steam will then check and repair any damaged or missing files.

By clean booting Windows and reinstalling Steam, you can often resolve this error and ensure the integrity of your game files.

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.