Steam Missing File Privileges Error {Solved}

Steam has become one of the popular destinations for gamers. Valve started the popular service for its games but now includes third-party games as well. It provides easy access to updates, remote gaming, matchmaking servers, etc. to gamers. Steam provides a host of benefits and is very popular in the gaming industry. But with all the benefits that Steam provides, you can always run into unexpected issues.

The most common problem gamers face is the Steam missing file privileges. There are a lot of reasons one can encounter this error. Most of the users encounter this problem when installing or updating the game. The constant occurrence of the error can be frustrating for gamers. We will try to list the methods that you can use to resolve the issue once and for all. You can try from a range of methods available and choose one suitable for you.

How to Fix Steam Missing File Privileges Error

Steam missing file privileges error is a very common error. One encounters this error when one tries to install or update games from Steam on a Windows 10 platform. The theory by Steam community members is that the issue is due to graphic card driver.

You can encounter the issue due to a corrupted graphic card. Some members suggest the error is due to an Intel graphics card. igfxEm module may corrupt causing the missing file privileges error. Further, Shutdowns or server overloads can be another cause of the issue. We will try to provide solutions for all possible ways that the error can occur on your PC. Below you can find many solutions to resolve this issue.

1. Restart your PC

The first solution that comes to mind is to restart your PC. This is one of the most common and simplest solutions. Restarting your PC can sometimes be the solution to your problem. It is always worth to give this method a try. Many errors can easily solve by restarting the PC. But if the solution does not work for you, continue reading the other solutions.

2. Change Your Download Region

Changing the download region can increase the speed along with the server strength. Steam missing file privilege can be due to a slow or corrupted server. A corrupt server can definitely cause Steam missing file privileges. Try changing the download region to fix the issue. Follow the below steps to change the download region:

Step 1: The first step is to click on the settings option available in the top left Steam menu.

Step 2: Next, select the Downloads button on the menu.

Step 3: You will see a Download Region option along with a drop-down menu. Choose a better and different download region from the menu. A closer region is always a better option.

Step 4: Finally, Click OK and restart the Steam client.

This is a great method to resolve the Steam missing file privileges error. You can also use this method to resolve slow or download keeps stopping issues. This solution is effective for such errors as well.

3. Stop and Fix the igfxEm Module

Steam missing file privilege can occur if igfxEm Module interferes with Steam. A corrupt igfxEm module can be a major reason for missing file privileges error. Follow the below given steps to fix the issue:

Step 1: First of all, Open Windows task manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard or right-click on the taskbar.

Step 2: Next, select the Details tab available in Windows 8/8.1/10. It is the Processes tab on older versions of Windows.

Step 3: You can sort the list of processes for easy use. Select ‘igfxEm.exe’ or ‘igfxem.exe’ from the list.

Step 4: Finally, click on the process and select the End Task/Process button. It is available on the bottom right side.

igfxEm saves the resolution settings in case the screen is off or disconnected. It is the main Graphics Executable Module for Intel’s CUI (Common User interface).

igfxEm module can be a major cause for Steam missing file privileges. You can disable it completely as it is not a necessary process. The module is available on PC with an integrated Intel graphics card. This includes a large part of the gaming community using the Steam client. To disable the module once and for all, follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Start by typing ‘MSConfig’ in the Windows run dialog box and click OK.

Step 2: The second step is to select the Services option and find the igfxEM module from the list.

Step 3: Nest you will see a checkbox on the left. Un-tick it.

Step 4: Finally, Apply the settings and click OK.

If you will have the latest Intel drivers installed, you will not be able to find the module. You can update the drivers to the latest version. To have the best gaming performance, it is advisable to have the latest drivers installed. The latest drivers provide optimized performance. Updating igfxEm module for the latest drivers with the help of the below steps. The latest drivers will certainly resolve the issue of Steam missing file privileges. Follow the below mentioned steps to update the drivers to the latest version:

Step 1: First, Open device manager. You can do this by right-clicking on start and choosing from the list.

Step 2: The second step is to select the Intel graphics device from the display adapters option.

Step 3: Next, right-click and choose update driver from the menu.

Step 4: Select the search automatically option.

Step 5: Finally, it will search and tell you to install the latest drivers. Otherwise, a message will display telling you that the latest drivers are present.

After the update process is complete, the igfxPERS module will replace the igfxEm module. This module also does the same thing but do not cause Steam missing file privilege errors.

4. Run Steam with Administrator Privileges

The error can be due to Steam trying to access files protected by administrator rights. You can resolve the issue by giving administrator privileges to the Steam client. To give administrator privilege, follow the below steps:

Step 1: First, close the Steam client. End task by opening the task manager and killing the Steam client.

Step 2: Second and final step, right-click on the desktop shortcut. Choose run as administrator option to run the client and resolve the issue. In case you do not have a shortcut, go to program files and open the Steam folder. Right-click on the Steam executable and run as administrator.

You can try to resolve the missing file privileges by following the above steps. If the above method works, you can also give permanent administrative rights to Steam. Follow the below mentioned steps to give permanent administrative rights so the issue does not come in future.

Step 1: First, Open the Steam folder where it is located.

Step 2: Second, Choose properties option by right-clicking Steam.exe.

Step 3: Next step is to select Compatibility tab.

Step 4: Further, Tick the checkbox ‘Run this program as an administrator’. It is available in the bottom.

Step 5: Finally, Apply the settings and click OK.

5. Verify Integrity of Steam Game Files

Step 1: First step is to select the game giving file privilege error on Steam.

Step 2: Next right-click on it and choose properties option.

Step 3: The third step is to select ‘Local Files’ tab on the screen.

Step 4: After that click on ‘VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES’ button.

Step 5: Finally, this will allow Steam to compare files on the server and your system. The issue will resolve automatically if there is one. The process completion depends on the size of the game it is scanning.

6. Repair Steam Library Folder

Step 1: First step is to open Steam and select the menu at the top left.

Step 2: Next is to click on Settings and choose Downloads option.

Step 3: Thirst step is to select ‘Steam LIBRARY FOLDERS’ present in Content Libraries option.

Step 4: Finally, click on Repair Library folder on the menu generated by right-clicking on Steam Library folder.

Step 5: At last, wait for the process to complete. The process can take some time to complete. After completion, restart the application. Try to install or update a game in Steam.

7. Verify if SteamApp Folder Has the Right Permissions

Step 1: First of all, completely close the Steam client.

Step 2: Next is to locate and navigate to the SteamApp folder on the PC.

Step 3: Further open the context menu by right-clicking on the folder and click on properties.

Step 4: After that select the General tab and navigate to the attributes section.

Step 5: Second last step is to Un-tick the read-only checkbox if it is selected.

Step 6: Lastly, save the settings and restart Steam.

Steam file privileges issue can be due to not having write permission to the Steam app folder. Following the above steps can resolve the issue. If this is not resolved by the above steps, follow the below-advanced steps:

Step 1: The first step is to completely close the Steam Client and navigate to the SteamApp folder.

Step 2: Next, Open the context menu by right-clicking on the folder and click on properties.

Step 3: The third step is to choose the Security tab and navigate to the Edit option.

Step 4: Further, tick all the permission under the Allow section. You can tick the Full Control box to select all the options.

Step 5: The last step is to save the settings and click OK.

Try to run the Steam client after following the above steps. Check if the missing file privileges issue gets resolved or not.

8. Grant Full Permissions to the File

Giving the right permissions to the SteamApp folder resolves the issue most of the times. If you are not able to give access to the file, this can be due to a locked folder caused by some other application. Try the below steps to grant full permission to the file and resolve the errors.

Step 1: The first step is to note the directory of the problem file causing errors.

Step 2: Secondly, close the Steam client and navigate to the file.

Step 3: The next step is to right-click on the file and choose Security tab.

Step 4: Further select the Edit button and click on full control box if it is not ticked.

Step 5: Lastly, Click Ok and restart the Steam client.

After performing all the steps, restart the Steam client. Again, check for the error message. The solution has worked if the message is showing another file path. Keep trying the above method for the different file path showing in the error message.

9. Delete the Problem Files

In this method, you will have to delete the files causing problem issues and re-download them via Steam. To delete the problem files, follow the steps:

Step 1: The first step is to completely close the Steam Client.

Step 2: Next, note the path of the file causing the error.

Step 3: After noting the file path, find the file and delete it.

Step 4: The final step is to delete the file.

Sometimes the file may be lock and does not allow you to delete it. To delete the file in such a case, you need to boot the Windows in safe mode. Follow the below-mentioned steps to start the Windows in safe mode.

Step 1: Firstly, write ‘msconfig’ in the Windows run dialog text field and click OK.

Step 2: Next, clicking on the OK button opens a configuration system window.

Step 3: The third step is to select the boot label. Select and confirm your operating system.

Step 4: Further, select the checkbox Soft boot. Also, confirm to tick the Minimal Radio button.

Step 5: The last step is to apply the changes and click OK.

The computer will restart and allow you to delete the lock files. Change the computer back to normal mode after you make the changes or work is complete.

10. Clear Steam’s Download Cache

Steam missing file privilege issue can be due to corrupted Steam cache. Steam Client uses its cache for faster performance. This allows it to offer better speeds for quicker games download. The download cache also helps to load information faster. But a corrupted cache can lead to a wide range of errors and issues. It can also be responsible for Steam missing file privileges. You can clear cache and resolve the issues by following the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: First, run the client and click on the Steam menu located on the top left side.

Step 2: The next step is to select settings and navigate to downloads labels.

Step 3: Further press the ‘CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE’ button on the bottom.

Step 4: It will clear the cache and lastly, you will need to login to Steam again. Click Ok to clear the cache.

Clearing cache does not take a lot of time. After the process is complete, check if the missing file privileges error gets resolved or not.

11. Uninstall and Reinstall the Game

A very fast way to resolve a range of issues is to uninstall and reinstall a game. This is a simple and efficient way to resolve issues. You can follow the below mentioned steps to uninstall and reinstall the game:

Step 1: The first step is to open the application and locate the game causing issues.

Step 2: Further right-click on it and press uninstall from the menu.

Step 3: Next step is to confirm and click on the delete button.

Step 4: The final step is to go to the store and find and install the game.

This is a very easy and simple solution to the problem. It can fix a lot of issues with a simple uninstalling and reinstalling the game.

12. Manually Delete the Entire Game Folder

You can delete the game folder manually if multiple files are causing error. This is efficient if some of the files are locked and you are not able to uninstall them. This is a great solution for users with unlimited data balance. Users with limited data plans may find deleting individual files more comfortable. Close the Steam client in case of trouble deleting the entire folder. You can also boot Windows in safe mode to delete the folder in case of any problem.

13. Create a New Steam Library Folder

This is a helpful solution if your present library folder is in a mess. Create a new folder with fewer restrictions. It is always advisable to create a new folder if the previous folder is a mess. You can do this by following the below mentioned steps:

Step 1: First step is to run the application and select the Steam menu from the top menu bar.

Step 2: Next, select settings and choose download settings.

Step 3: The third step is to find the ‘Steam LIBRARY FOLDERS’ under the section Content Libraries.

Step 4: Further, select ‘ADD LIBRARY FOLDER’ button on the screen present.

Step 5: Finally, enter the path for the new Steam library.

Step 6: After the folder gets created, right click on the Steam library and set it as the default option.

To move the games to the new library folder, follow the below steps in order:

Step 1: First step is to close the application and open the location of the old library folder.

Step 2: Next, copy these three items: Steam.exe (file), Userdata (folder) and SteamApps (folder).

Step 3: Final step is to paste the three items at the new folder location.

Give administrative rights to the folder if you are running into errors. Make sure to close the Steam client properly before deleting or renaming the folder.

14. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Your antivirus software can interfere with the Steam files causing errors. Many antivirus software’s interfere with a variety of applications. It does not matter if the application is user friendly. The antivirus can cause a lot of errors by interfering with them. The antivirus can give false alarms and lock files while scanning. Disabling the antivirus software can be a measure to solve the problem. Read the instruction manual of your antivirus to disable it as a temporary measure. Also, make sure that the Steam is not blocked by firewall. The temporary disable of antivirus can help to resolve the issue of Steam missing file privileges.

15. Contact Steam Support

If you have tried all the methods to solve the issue and it still persists, you can contact Steam support. They will surely be able to help you with the problems. Although most of the user problems can get resolved by following the guide. If the problem still persists in the PC, you can contact Steam support. Another solution is to visit official forum sites or community. This will allow you to discuss the problems with other users.

Conclusion

Steam has become very popular in the gaming industry. Steam provides a wide range of games to choose from. Also, no doubt it is certainly better than other similar platforms. You can now also find games from third-party providers on the platform. But users can still encounter various issues while running the Steam Client. Steam missing file privileges is a more common error encountered by gamers.

The gamers encounter this error while installing or updating the games via Steam. There are a lot of ways you can fix the issues by following the correct steps. We have listed around 15 methods to help you resolve the issue and continue enjoy gaming. You can try the various methods with the steps mentioned and it will surely help to resolve the errors. The missing file privilege is easy to resolve provides you follow the correct steps.