Steam Game Already Installed Asking to Install It Again

If Steam doesn't recognize the installed games on your Windows 11/10 PC, here's what y'all can practice to resolve the issue. Steam is the go-to place where you can manage and play your favorite games on PC. However, many users have reported that Steam is not recognizing all the installed games. If y'all are experiencing the same trouble, proceed with the guide to fix the consequence.

Steam doesn't recognize installed games

Below is the listing of all the effective workarounds that yous can try if Steam doesn't recognize the installed games.

1. Reinstall the Game without downloading
2. Choose New Installation Drive
3. Forcefulness Recognize Games using .acf cache
4. Reconfigure the Library Folders
5. Reinstall Steam

So, permit'south cheque out all these solutions in detail.

one] Reinstall the Game without downloading

Reinstalling the game is one of the easiest means past which yous tin can gear up the problem. Don't worry, we are not asking you to download the game again. If by any take chances Steam doesn't recognize whatsoever of the games, the probability is high that the game hasn't been installed. However, one time y'all accept downloaded the game, its data will be stored in the Steam apps folder. To make Steam recognize the game, yous will take to forcefulness install the game. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Open the Steam customer and log in with your credentials.
2. Tap on the Games option present at the acme department.
3. Choose View Games Library.
4. On the following folio, you volition find a list of all the downloaded and installed games. The list also contains those games that Steam is non able to recognize.
5. Choose the game that Steam is not able to recognize and click on the Install choice.

Now Steam will use the stored game files to forcefully install the game. One time washed, restart Steam, and check whether your game is listed or non.

two] Cull New Installation Bulldoze

Steam will fail to install the game if the default installation drive doesn't accept gratuitous space. Thankfully, you can change the Steam default installation location manually. Hither are the steps you need to follow.

Note: We'll brand E drive our new steam installation location. Yous tin alter the location at your convenience.

1. Open the E drive on your organization, and make a new folder named, Steamapps.
2. Launch the Steam client, click on the Steam option present at the top left corner.
3. Cull Settings.
4. In the settings carte, choose the Download option nowadays at the left panel of the screen.
5. Click on Steam Library Folders.
6. Tap on the + icon, present next to your current storage bulldoze.
7. Cull your new installation folder.

That's it. Relaunch Steam and bank check if the problem is fixed.

3] Forcefulness recognize Games using .acf Cache

If Steam is not recognizing the game, even if you have manually installed it using the above method then you volition accept to use the Steam cache data to recognize the games. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Navigate to the identify where yous have stored all the Steam information. Past default, information technology is C: > Programme Files (x86)> Steam > Steamapps folder
2. Open the Steam client, look for the games that are not installed. Choose the uninstalled games, and tap on the Install option.
3. Steam will take some time to recognize all the existing files.
4. Pause the update process and exit Steam.
5. Go to C: > Program Files (x86)> Steam > Steamapps folder and select all the .acf files.
6. Copy all the .acf files, paste them anywhere else other than the Steamapps binder.
7. Open the Steam customer and click on the Library. In the library section, you will see that the unrecognized game is denoted by the Uninstalled option.
8. Close Steam client.
9. Move all the .acf files back to the Steamapps folder.

That'due south it. Open Steam and go to the Games library section. Tap on the resume update selection on all the games that y'all paused before. One time the update process is complete, y'all will see the game listed on Steam.

Read: Steam Tips and Tricks.

4] Reconfigure the Library Folders

If you changed the default installation folder, it'southward no surprise you are facing the problem. Follow the below steps to configure the new library path.

1. Launch the Steam customer on your system.
2. Click on the Steam choice present at the top-right corner.
3. Tap on the Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on the Download option present on the left panel of the screen.
5. Choose the Steam Library Folders.
6. In the folder, you will see the default installation path of the apps.
7. In case y'all have changed the location path, tap on Add Library Folder.
8. Choose the path of the new library.

That's it. Check if the game is existence recognized at that place or not.

4] Reinstall Steam

If not of the above-mentioned workaround helped yous in solving the problem, the last affair you tin try to solve the problem is to reinstall Steam. The probability is loftier that there is some temporary problems that is causing the effect. And then, reinstall Steam, log in with your credentials, and check if you tin meet the installed game on the library or not.

TIP: You lot might want to take a wait at Steam Library Manager also. It lets you Backup, restore, movement Steam games.

Why Steam doesn't recognize Installed games?

There are multiple reasons why Steam is not able to recognize the installed games. To proper name a few, Steam volition non recognize games if .acf' files are faulty, or missing. Additionally, if the default installation location has run out of space then too you will face up the trouble.

Read: Steam Cleaner will delete Steam cache & data left backside by gaming engines

How won't Steam observe my external hard drive?

Steam will neglect to detect the hard drive if there's a problem with the connection. In such a instance, you can re-plug the hard drive to gear up the problem. Damaged connecting cables will cause the outcome. Repair or utilize a new connecting cable to get rid of the issue.

Tin yous play Steam games on the external hard drive?

Yes, you can access your Steam games library from the external hard drive. Y'all can utilise a USB HDD or SSD. Notwithstanding, yous'll have to adjust to the express performance – the faster the driver, the faster volition be the loading time.

Read Side by side:Set Steam Missing Content Manifest mistake on Windows PC.

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Source: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/steam-doesnt-recognize-installed-games

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