Steam checks for updates automatically, but you can also force a check yourself

Steam updates your games in the background by default. When you launch Steam, it scans for new versions of any installed games and downloads them before you play. You do not have to do anything — the updates happen on their own schedule, usually overnight or when your computer is idle.

If you want to check right now instead of waiting, you can open a game's properties and tell Steam to look for updates immediately. You can also see which games have pending updates without launching them. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam automatically downloads game updates in the background, so most updates install without you doing anything.
  • You can force an immediate update check by right-clicking a game in your library, selecting Properties, and clicking the Update tab.
  • A small number next to a game's name in your library shows how many updates are waiting to download.
  • You can pause updates, set them to download only on certain days, or tell Steam to download updates only when the app is running.

How to check for updates on a single game

Open Steam and go to your Library. Find the game you want to check, right-click its name, and select Properties. Click the Updates tab on the left side of the window.

You will see the current version number and when the last update was installed. If an update is available, a button labeled Update now will appear. Click it to start the download immediately. If no update is waiting, the screen will say "Your game is up to date."

While you are in the Updates tab, you can also change how Steam handles future updates for this game. The dropdown menu under "Automatic updates" lets you choose between downloading updates automatically, only when you launch the game, or never automatically (you would update manually each time).

How to see all games with pending updates at once

Open Steam and look at your Library. Games with updates waiting to download show a small number badge next to their name — for example, a circle with "2" means two updates are queued. This badge appears even if you have not launched the game recently.

Click on any game with a badge to see its update status. You can also sort your library by clicking the filter icon and selecting "Updates available" to show only games that need updating. This is useful if you have a large library and want to update multiple games at once.

Changing when and how Steam downloads updates

Steam's default behavior is to download updates whenever they are released, but you can change this in Settings. Open Steam, click Steam in the top menu, then select Settings. Go to the Downloads tab.

Under "Content Update Scheduling," you can set a time window when Steam is allowed to download updates. For example, you might tell Steam to download updates only between 2 AM and 6 AM so they do not use your internet during the day. You can also pause all downloads temporarily by clicking the pause icon next to any active download.

If you want to control updates for a single game instead of all games, go back to that game's Properties and use the "Automatic updates" dropdown in the Updates tab. Your choices are "Always keep this game up to date," "Only update this game when I launch it," or "High priority — always download before other games."

What to do if an update is stuck or not downloading

If Steam shows an update is available but it is not downloading, first check your internet connection. Open a web browser and visit a website to confirm you are online. If you are connected, try restarting Steam — close it completely and open it again.

If the update still does not start, go to the game's Properties, click the Updates tab, and click Verify integrity of game files. This tells Steam to check every file in the game and re-download anything that is missing or corrupted. The process can take several minutes depending on the game's size.

If you have paused downloads, make sure they are not still paused. Look at the Downloads section in Steam (click the download icon in the top right) and check whether any downloads show a pause button. Click the pause button to resume if needed.

Understanding Steam's update notifications

When an update finishes downloading, Steam shows a notification in the bottom right corner of your screen. The notification disappears after a few seconds, but you can see the update status anytime by opening your Library and looking for the badge next to the game's name.

Some games require you to close them before the update installs. If you are playing a game when an update finishes, Steam will ask whether you want to close the game now or finish playing first. If you choose to finish playing, the update will install the next time you close the game.

You can also see a full history of updates for any game by going to its store page on the Steam website and scrolling down to the "Updates" section. This shows the date, version number, and patch notes for every update released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop Steam from updating a game automatically?

Yes. Right-click the game in your Library, select Properties, go to the Updates tab, and change "Automatic updates" to "Do not automatically update this game." You can then update manually whenever you want by clicking "Update now" in the same tab.

Why is my game showing an update badge but Steam says it is up to date?

This usually means the update has finished downloading but has not installed yet. Close the game completely and relaunch it — the update will install when you start playing. If the badge stays after relaunching, try restarting Steam itself.

Do I need to be online for Steam to check for updates?

Yes, Steam needs an internet connection to check for and download updates. If you are offline, Steam will not show available updates. Once you reconnect, it will scan for new versions the next time you open the app.

Can I schedule updates to download at a specific time every day?

Steam does not offer daily scheduling, but you can set a time window when updates are allowed to download. Go to Settings, click Downloads, and set your preferred hours under "Content Update Scheduling." Steam will download updates only during that window.

What happens if I turn off my computer during an update?

If Steam is downloading an update and you shut down, the download will pause. When you restart your computer and open Steam, it will resume the download from where it left off. You do not have to start over.