Steam Cloud Sync Conflict or Save Not Syncing

Steam warns of a “sync conflict” when you launch a game, or your progress from another computer isn’t there.

Why: Steam found different save files locally and in the cloud and can’t tell which is newer — usually because the game was played offline or on another machine before the last sync finished. Picking the right version (or finishing a sync) fixes it.

Fix 1: Resolve the sync conflict — keep the newest save

When the conflict window appears at launch, don’t pick blindly.

1. Read the two entries: each shows when the local copy and the cloud copy were last modified.
2. Choose the version modified most recently — that’s normally your latest progress. Cross-check the timestamps against when you actually last played, in case one machine’s clock was off.
3. Let Steam sync, then launch the game.

Once you choose, the other version is overwritten, so be sure before confirming.

Fix 2: Make sure Cloud sync is actually on

If saves never carry over, sync may be disabled globally or for that game.

1. Global: Steam > Settings > Cloud, and turn on Enable Steam Cloud Sync for applications that support it.
2. Per-game: right-click the game > Properties > General, and enable the Steam Cloud synchronization option.
3. Note that many games simply don’t support Cloud saves — check the game’s store page under features.

Fix 3: Don’t bypass a “could not sync” warning

If Steam says it couldn’t sync to the cloud, playing anyway risks losing progress.

1. When you see a sync error (not a conflict), close the game and fix the cause first — usually your internet connection or a temporary Steam outage.
2. Reconnect, reopen Steam, and let the pending sync complete before launching.
3. Avoid Offline Mode for cloud games — saves made offline don’t sync until you’re back online, which is what creates most conflicts.

Fix 4: Recover a save that didn’t transfer

Switched PCs and your progress is missing? It may still be on the old machine.

1. Open Steam on the original computer and launch the game so it uploads the latest save to the cloud.
2. Back on the new PC, reopen the game to pull it down.
3. For games without Cloud support, the save lives in a local folder — the game’s developer can point you to it so you can copy it across manually.

FAQ

Which version should I keep in a conflict? Almost always the most recently modified one (Fix 1) — but verify the timestamp matches your real last play session.

My save vanished after switching computers. Launch the game on the old PC first to push the save up (Fix 4); many games also just don’t use Cloud at all.

Why does this keep happening? Playing in Offline Mode or on multiple machines before a sync finishes is the usual cause — stay online and let each session sync fully (Fix 3).

Sources: Steam Support — Steam Cloud