Question:

How can I fix the problem of Steam not downloading a newly purchased game and only showing “reserving space” on the screen? I have checked my network and disk performance and they are working fine for other games that need updates. Is this a known bug or a rare occurrence?

Answer:

Verify the integrity of game files. Sometimes, the game files may get corrupted or missing, which can prevent Steam from downloading the game properly. To check and fix the game files, go to your Steam library, right-click on the game, select Properties, go to the Local Files tab, and click on Verify Integrity of Game Files. This will scan and repair any issues with the game files. > – Remove Steam’s download cache. The download cache is where Steam stores temporary data related to your downloads. However, if the cache gets corrupted or outdated, it can cause problems with downloading new games. To clear the download cache, go to Steam’s Settings, click on Downloads, and click on Clear Download Cache. This will delete the cache and prompt you to log in to Steam again. > – Repair Steam library folders. Steam library folders are where Steam stores your installed games on your hard drive. If the folders are not working properly, Steam may not be able to download new games to them. To repair the library folders, go to Steam’s Settings, click on Downloads, click on Steam Library Folders, right-click on the folder where you want to install the game, and select Repair Library Folder. This will fix any errors with the folder. > – Reformat your external drive to NTFS. If you are trying to download the game to an external drive, such as a USB or an SSD, you may encounter the “reserving space” issue if the drive is formatted to exFAT. This is because exFAT is not compatible with Steam’s file system, and it can cause slow or failed downloads. To solve this, you need to reformat your external drive to NTFS, which is a more compatible and efficient file system. However, before you do this, make sure to back up all your data from the drive, as reformatting will erase everything on it. To reformat the drive, go to This PC, right-click on the drive, select Format, choose NTFS as the file system, and click on Start. > These are some of the most common and effective solutions for the “reserving space” issue on Steam. If you try them, you should be able to download your new game and play it without any problems. This issue is not a rare occurrence, as many Steam users have reported it before . However, it is not a major bug either, as it can be easily fixed with some simple steps. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand and resolve the issue. Happy gaming! 🎮