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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
If Steam says a game on your external SSD is uninstalled, first make sure the drive is connected and the game folder is still inside the Steam library folder. Then add that existing library in Steam’s Storage settings. If the files are in the right place, starting the install can let Steam recognize them instead of treating the game as a fresh download—but it may still need to download files.
Why Steam may say a game on your external SSD is uninstalled
Steam can lose track of an installation when it cannot access the library folder or no longer recognizes its location. That message alone does not prove the game files were erased. An external drive that disconnects unexpectedly is one possible cause; Steam also notes that external drives can have performance issues and may connect or disconnect at inconvenient times. Steam Support does not recommend external hard drives for Steam or its games.
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Get Steam to find the existing game files
- Check the drive first. Confirm that your operating system can see and open the external SSD. If it is not mounted or its connection is unstable, Steam cannot use the library on it.
- Confirm the library and game-folder locations. Find the Steam library folder on the SSD, then check that the game’s folder is inside that library’s
steamapps/commondirectory. Steam’s default Windows game folder isC:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommon; an external SSD usually has a different library location. - Add the existing library in Steam. Open Steam > Settings > Storage, then use Storage Manager to add the existing library folder on the SSD. Once Steam recognizes the library, its installed games should appear in your Library.
- If the game still appears uninstalled, start its installation. Choose the same library on the SSD. When the existing game folder is in the correct location, Steam may recognize files during the download process. This does not guarantee that every file will be recovered without downloading anything.
Steam’s instructions for recognizing installed games also cover cases where a game’s download has been reset.
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If the game is still missing from your Library
- Check that you are signed in to the account that owns the game.
- Remove unintended Library filters and look under View > Hidden Games.
- If the game shows Pre-Load Complete, the account may not own it or may no longer have access through Family Sharing.
Steam lists these account and visibility checks in its guidance for games missing from the Library.
#1 Best Overall
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
- Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) to show off your style and make every play personal.
- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
Reconnect the library or move it?
| Option | Best when | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Re-add the existing library | The SSD is available and the game folders are still in place; you want Steam to recognize them again. | Reconnects Steam to the current library and is the lowest-disruption first step. |
| Move games through Steam | You want the games stored in a different location. | Moves selected games to a destination library using Steam’s Storage settings. |
Move games with Steam’s Storage settings
- Create or add the destination library in Steam > Settings > Storage.
- Select the drive that currently contains the games.
- Select the games you want to relocate, choose Move, and select the destination library.
Steam recommends backing up the steamapps folder before moving a Steam installation. Some third-party game saves may be stored outside the Steam library and may not be covered by Steam Cloud, so check for important saves before relocating. See Steam’s instructions for moving a Steam installation and games.
When to verify game files
Use file verification only if Steam recognizes the installation but the game still has file-related problems. In the game’s Steam Library entry, open Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. Steam cautions against verifying during intensive disk activity or for multiple games at once. Some files that fail verification may be local configuration files; Steam says not to replace those automatically. Steam’s verification instructions explain the process and cautions.
Rank #2
Sandisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware, External Solid State Drive, SDSSDE61-2T00-G25
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Reduce the chance Steam loses track again
- Wait for Steam to close normally before shutting down the computer. If Windows forces Steam to close while it is writing to disk, library or installation information may be corrupted.
- Check the SSD connection if the library repeatedly disappears. An unstable connection can make the drive unavailable to Steam.
- If external-drive problems persist, consider keeping Steam and its games on an internal drive, which is Steam’s recommendation for this issue.
These precautions address library recognition; they cannot guarantee that an unreliable drive or connection will remain available.
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Quick Recap
SaleBestseller No. 3
SaleBestseller No. 4
Best Value
Sale
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s | Reliable External Solid State Drive Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals (MU-PC2T0T/AM)
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Rank #4
Sale
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD, Up to 2,000 MB/s | External Solid State Drive for Gaming, Students and Professionals, MU-PG1T0B/AM, Black
- NONSTOP SPEED: Race through projects with our fastest SSD for creators; Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s1; The T9 Portable SSD performs at high speeds even during longer processes
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: When you’re elbow-deep in a passion project, the T9 Portable SSD stays cool; Its advanced thermal solution withstands and controls heat to keep the SSD at ideal temperatures—even in heavy use2
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- STRONG. SOLID. STABLE: From concept to completion – the T9 Portable SSD gives you the longevity to last through heavy use with one convenient drive that dares to go the distance
- WORKS LIKE MAGIC: Your T9 Portable SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software; With firmware updates, extra encryption and continual monitoring of your drive health, it works like a charm
Rank #3
Sale
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s | Reliable External Solid State Drive Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals (MU-PC1T0T/AM)
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
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