by UMATechnology
How to Update Elden Ring if It’s Not Working: A Comprehensive Guide
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, has captivated gamers around the globe with its intricate designs, compelling lore, and challenging gameplay. However, like many games, players occasionally encounter issues that prevent them from enjoying the full experience. One such issue is trouble updating the game. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step instructions on how to effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues related to updating Elden Ring.
Step 1: Verify Your Game Installation
Before diving into more technical solutions, the first step is to check if your game installation is intact and functioning as expected. Here’s how you can do that on various platforms:
PC:
Steam:
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click on Elden Ring and select "Properties."
- Go to the "Local Files" tab and click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files."
- Steam will check for missing or corrupted files and replace them automatically. This process might take a few minutes.
Epic Games Launcher:
- Open the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to your library.
- Find Elden Ring, click on the three dots, and select "Verify."
- This will initiate a check on your installation and correct any issues found.
Game Pass:
- If you downloaded Elden Ring through Xbox Game Pass, uninstall the game and reinstall it. The app will automatically check for corrupted files during installation.
Consoles (PlayStation and Xbox):
PlayStation:
- Navigate to "Settings," then "Storage," and locate Elden Ring to delete any corrupted data.
- Go back to the main menu; highlight Elden Ring, press the "Options" button, and select "Check for Update."
Xbox:
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to "My games & apps," and highlight Elden Ring.
- Press the Menu button (the small button with three horizontal lines), and select “Manage game and add-ons.”
- From the menu, choose "Updates" to see if there are any available updates for download.
After verifying your installation, it’s prudent to restart the game client or console.
Step 2: Check for Updates
Once you’ve confirmed your game installation is in good shape, the next step is to ensure you’re running the latest version of Elden Ring. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, enhance gameplay, and introduce new features.
PC (Steam/Epic):
- Both Steam and Epic automatically check for updates when you launch the game but sometimes it may not download automatically due to internet issues or store settings.
- To manually check:
- Steam: Right-click on Elden Ring in your library and select "Properties." Under “Updates,” ensure that the option “Always keep this game updated” is selected.
- Epic: Click on the three dots next to Elden Ring in your library, and select "Manage." Ensure automatic updates are enabled.
Consoles:
- Both PlayStation and Xbox systems prompt downloads of updates automatically when you play, but you can also check manually.
- As mentioned earlier, you can use the “Check for Updates” function under the game’s options menu.
If no updates are available, consider checking the official Elden Ring social media channels or the publisher’s website for any recent announcements regarding downtime or planned updates.
Step 3: Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection
Sometimes, issues related to updating Elden Ring may not stem from the game itself but from your internet connection. Having a stable and fast internet connection is crucial for downloading updates. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
Check Internet Status:
- Make sure your internet is active. You can do this by opening a web browser and navigating to any website or conducting a speed test.
Reboot Your Router/Modem:
- Unplug your router and modem from power.
- Wait for about 30 seconds and then plug them back in. This can refresh your connection and clear temporary issues.
Use Ethernet Instead of Wi-Fi:
- If possible, connect your gaming device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. Wired connections generally offer more stability and speed compared to wireless networks.
Disable Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):
- If you are using a VPN to connect to the internet, disable it temporarily. Sometimes, VPNs can slow down your connection or cause issues with game updates.
Check Bandwidth Usage:
- Ensure that no other devices on your network are excessively using bandwidth (like streaming videos or downloading large files) while you’re trying to update Elden Ring.
Step 4: Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Caching issues can sometimes lead to update problems. Clearing cache and temporary files specific to your platform can help resolve these issues.
PC (Steam/Epic Games Launcher):
Steam:
- Close Steam completely from the system tray.
- Navigate to your Steam installation directory, which is usually found in
C:Program Files (x86)Steam
. - Delete the "downloads" folder and any cache or Steam-related temp files. Restart Steam.
Epic:
- Close the Epic Games Launcher.
- Open "Run" by pressing
Windows + R
and type%localappdata%
. - Find the "EpicGamesLauncher" folder and delete the "Temp" directory inside it. Restart the launcher.
Consoles:
PlayStation:
- Turn off your console completely.
- Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps (this will boot you into Safe Mode).
- Connect your controller using a USB cable and select “Clear Cache and Rebuild Database” from the menu.
Xbox:
- Press and hold the Xbox button on the console for about 10 seconds until it turns off.
- Unplug the console for a minute, then plug it back in and turn it on.
Step 5: Reinstall the Game
If none of the previous steps have resolved the issue, it may be time to consider a complete reinstallation of Elden Ring. This process can fix deeper issues and ensure you have the latest version installed.
PC:
- Uninstall Elden Ring through Steam or Epic by right-clicking the game and selecting "Uninstall."
- Once uninstalled, navigate to the installation folders and delete any leftover files to ensure a clean slate.
- Re-download Elden Ring through Steam or Epic, ensuring that your internet connection is stable during the download.
Consoles:
- Navigate to the game in your library.
- On PlayStation, press the options button and select “Delete.”
- On Xbox, press the menu button, select “Manage game and add-ons,” and choose “Uninstall.”
- Reinstall Elden Ring from your library.
Conclusion
Updating Elden Ring should be a seamless process, but as with any online game, various factors can hinder your ability to access the latest content. Following the steps outlined in this guide can help you identify and fix issues related to game updates. By verifying your installation, checking for updates, troubleshooting your internet connection, clearing cache files, and, if necessary, reinstalling the game, you can get back to gaming in no time.
As the developer continues to support Elden Ring with patches and updates, staying informed through the game’s community and official channels will also empower you to tackle any future issues promptly. Happy gaming!