Source Filmmaker – How to Fix Disk Write Error

Explanation

Source Filmmaker, a software valve used for their Meet the Team videos and what everyone else uses to create masterpieces whether it be a small reload test or an entire movie with voice-acting. It takes time in order to create projects, but the install and downloading process is something you need to do obviously. Lot’s of discussions I’ve seen have a problem where its either a “Disk Write Error” or a “Connection Timed Out”. Each one has a different solution and not just a simple “restart steam” answer.

Issues on downloading SFM

If you were lucky to choose the right things while downloading then you had no problem, some aren’t and choose a wrong branch. Like me, I put it on :e branch and it never got past 51% as it always paused, had random times like 3 hours and then canceled to restart all of the download progress. Some solutions are mine and some aren’t, but credits are at the end of the guide if you want to see them. If you are any of the helpers I saw while browsing discussions for help and want it removed, I’ll do so. Here are the issues I’ve seen:

1. Disk write error

2. Connection timed out

3. Steam downloading unwanted items

4. Steam just being dumb

If you have any more issues and you found a solution let me know in the comments and I’ll add it.

First Issue

So! You tried downloading SFM and had a disk write error? This is apparently a new issue as “Dappy” said from replying to an old discussion (around 2016.) There are multiple fixes that people have said, so lets get into them!

First fix: Steam may be a bit faulty, try to restart it or restart the computer if the issue persists after restarting steam. I know I said not a simple restart steam answer but it helps most disk write errors.

Second fix: There may be a broken file in there, go to Properties -> Local Files and hit the “Verify Files” button as the last choice in there. If it finds a broken file it’ll fix it.

Third fix: Your disk may be faulty/dying, take it to a pc shop and ask if they can replace the disk or if you know how replace it yourself buy a better one and replace it.

Final fix: It may be because of what branch you’re on, uninstall SFM, reinstall it but choose a different branch and see if it works.

These in theory should work to help a disk write error.

Second Issue

Is it saying connection timed out and not disk write error? This is typically what it has to do with your internet connection, I haven’t found many fixes but it should somewhat help.

First fix: Check your internet speeds, there are websites that can check your internet and display the stats of it. If it’s low then that’s why but if it’s high then it may be because steam is faulty.

Second fix: Restart, steam may be having a slow server or something similar and isn’t checking the connection properly.

Not much, but it’s all I could find.

Third Issue

Sometimes steam will download unwanted items like DLC that wasn’t checked to be downloaded, the fix is simple.

First fix: Uncheck the DLCS its downloading, it may be trying to if you bought games with DLC included or it’s trying to download all.

All I could find really.

Fourth Issue

At most steam is just being dumb and isn’t checking most stuff right. This appears to be a common result of most failed downloads.

First Fix: Run steam as admin, first step is to

NOT HAVE STEAM OPEN.This won’t make it work. Then open files -> Disk :c (the gaming disk) -> Steam and then scroll until you see the steam logo and it called steam, right click on it and then hit “Run as Administrator.” This should work.

Second fix: Change the branch, not only does this fix a disk write error it can also make steam work for once. Simply uninstall SFM, reinstall it but change the branch and it should work.

Third fix: Spam the download button, steam may just cancel the download for unknown reasons, to counter this just keep spamming it until steam decides to work and lets it download.

Fourth Fix: Contact steam support, if none of the other solutions worked then let support know whats going on (e.g “I’m trying to download Source Filmmaker but for some reason it cancels during the download process, what could be causing this?”) They should but not always find the right solution and help download it.