How to Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam
Missing textures, crashes, or mod conflicts? Use Steam's built-in file verification to detect and replace corrupted or missing game files automatically.
What Does Verify Integrity Do?
Steam compares every installed game file against the official manifest on Valve's servers. Missing, corrupted, or modified files are re-downloaded automatically. This is the first fix for crashes, missing assets, and failed launches — and it does not affect your saves in most games.
Step 1 — Close the Game Completely
Exit the game and confirm it is not running in Task Manager. Verification cannot run while game files are locked by an active process. Also close any mod managers or third-party launchers tied to the game.
Step 2 — Open Game Properties
In your Library, right-click the game and choose Properties. This opens the game-specific settings panel where maintenance tools live.
Step 3 — Run Verify Integrity
Click the Installed Files tab (or Local Files on older Steam builds), then click Verify integrity of game files. Steam will scan all files — progress appears in the download bar at the bottom of the client.
Step 4 — Wait for the Scan to Finish
Large games can take 10–30 minutes. Do not close Steam during verification. When complete, Steam shows a summary: either all files validated successfully, or it lists how many files were reacquired. Reacquired files download automatically.
Step 5 — Launch and Test
Start the game and check whether the original problem is resolved. If crashes persist after a clean verification, the issue may be driver-related or caused by mods — not corrupted base files.
Step 6 — Re-verify After Mod Changes
If you use mods, run verification again after removing them. Steam will restore any base files that mods overwrote. For games with dedicated mod folders (like Skyrim's Data folder), back up your mod saves before verifying.
Verification Checklist
- Close the game and any mod launchers
- Right-click game → Properties → Installed Files
- Click Verify integrity of game files
- Wait for scan and automatic re-downloads
- Test the game after verification completes
- Re-verify after removing mods if needed