How to Fix 'Steam Missing File Privileges' Error

What happens if you are patiently waiting for a game to download or update, and suddenly it shows an error? Many people nowadays face this Steam Missing File Privileges error. Don’t worry, it’s not a significant issue and can be resolved quickly.

Missing File Privileges on Steam

How to Fix Steam Missing File Privileges Error

1. Rebooting PC

Even though it is the essential thing that one does, the amazing fact is that this simple action has worked a lot of times irrespective of the issue is minor or major. Restarting the PC may fix the Steam Missing File Privileges issue that has occurred and is creating a problem.

While downloading or updating any game, the Steam breaks its data into small bits of 1 MB each and afterward adjoins them. This is done to avoid the download of corrupt files and also saves your bandwidth. So, try rebooting your system to see if the issue is resolved or not.

Read Also:

2. Closing the igfxEm Module from Task Manager

igfxEM is an abbreviation for Intel Graphics Executable Main Module. This file has a particular fixed location, so in case you find this file anywhere else, it can be harmful malware. It’s been observed that stopping this file and then restarting it has fixed Steam Missing File Privileges error.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the task manager. Or you can press Windows + R to open Run Dialogue and type ‘taskmgr’ in it.

Step 2: Once the task manager open, try to locate the ‘igfxEM’ process under the processes tab.

Step 3: Right-click on it and select ‘End The Process’.

Step 4: Now restart the Steam client using the administrator and download a game to see if the Steam Missing File Privileges error is resolved or not.

More Articles:

3. Change the Download Region

The Steam content system is technically divided into different regions. It automatically detects your region and sets it as default. But there are times this whole process causes some error, which may lead to hardware failure. In such a case changing the region of your Steam client may solve the Steam Missing File Privileges issue.

Step 1: Look for the Steam client and open it and click on the Steam on the top left corner, and from the drop-down, select the settings option.

Step 2: After that, click on ‘Downloads’ and navigate to the ‘Download Region’.

Step 3: Other than the one currently set as default, select any other region. Restart the PC and check whether the Steam Missing File Privileges error is still there or not.

4. Give Administrator Privileges to Steam

Steam usually requires Read and Write access on PC. The problem occurs when the system uses it as a “Read-only” program. Thus, administrative access shall be provided to it so that it works properly. To grant access to Steam, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Steam directory. You can either find it in its default location ‘C:/Program Files/Steam’, or you can simply open ‘Run Dialogue Bar’ by pressing Windows key + R and then, type ‘ %ProgramFiles(x86)%’ followed by entering.

Step 2: After locating the Steam folder, right-click on it and select Properties.

Step 3: In the properties section, select the Security tab option and then the Advanced option.

Step 4: After the table appears, grant full access to the first four rows. If you are unable to do it, then you need to edit and then do it. The pint to remember is that the last two rows are non-editable.

Step 5: To grant full access to the rows, you need to edit them first. Click on the row and select the ‘Edit option’.
A box will pop up with various options in the checkboxes form. Check Yes on all the boxes. Then click on apply and wait for the changes to save. Lastly, close every single thing. Now repeat it with the other editable rows.

5. Give Full Control to the Affected File

The error mentioned above can also happen with the affected file. You must know the exact file so that you can navigate to it and grant it full control instead of giving full permission to file. It will also save a lot of time and effort. The ‘Error Message’ mentions the path of the affected file. You simply need to go to the file and follow the below-mentioned steps.

Step 1: Use the “Run” tool and go to the exact location of the file, or you can reach for it on your own.

Step 2: Once the file is located, follow the same steps mention above in method 4, which states about granting full administrative privileges and access to a specific file.

Step 3: Reboot the Steam and check whether the Missing File Privileges on Steam error still exists.

6. Repair Steam Library Folder

The possibility of the Steam library folder being corrupt is very high. The Verify Integrity of the game option fixes the corrupt file as it has a repairing file option. To use this tool, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Steam client. On the top left side of the window, click the Steam icon. A drop-down menu will appear then click on the settings.

Step 2: In the settings, navigate to the Downloads tab, click on the Steam Library Folders that you’ll be able to find at the top.

Step 3: A small window with all the locations where the Steam is located will appear and right-click on it then select Repair Steam Library.

Step 4: Now move on to the Verify Integrity of the Game Files present.

Step 5: Exit the settings and go to the games library.

Step 6: Click right on the problem, causing games and select Properties.

Step 7: In the properties, you’ll find the ‘Local Files’ tab. Click on the Verify Integrity of Game File Option. Through this, all the corrupted and missing files will be replaced and downloaded.

7. Deleting Files Through Safe Mode

If none of the above-mentioned methods work, then try this one. Delete all the files related to the game so that all the files can be downloaded again without any problem. You need to know the exact location of the disrupting file. After noting, enter your PC in safe mode.

Step 1: Select ‘Enable Safe Mode with Networking’ option to get your PC in safe mode.

Step 2: Now, navigate to the location of the disrupting file.

Step 3: After reaching the Steamapps list, click on the ‘Download’ folder and delete all the contents of that folder.

Step 4: Now restart your PC again.

Step 5: Using administrator access, launch the Steam. Again follow the steps mentioned in Method 6, which stated to Verify the Library and Integrity of the Game files before starting your download.

Step 6: Lastly, check whether the issue is resolved or not.

More Articles:

Wrapping Up

Missing file privileges error has been irritating users ever since known about. We hope one of the above-mentioned Methods helped to solve missing file privileges error in Steam. But make sure you attempt all the steps carefully to avoid any further errors.