Can't install KSP in Steam

[Fife]

In summary, the problem is, on my Win7 PC, Steam thinks it is downloading and installing KSP, but all it downloads and installs is a folder containing a tiny .txt file. When I click PLAY all I get is a popup saying missing executable: KSP.app.

In more detail...

I used to play KSP on Steam, but eventually I uninstalled it. Yesterday I re-installed KSP in Steam. As usual, I click INSTALL. The install window says: space required 2456mb, space available 237013mb. Estimated download time 1 hour 15 min. The location for install is my usual Steam Library folder. When I confirm to start the installation, the installing window opens, then closes after just 1 second and Steam says 'Steam has finished downloading KSP'. The INSTALL button changes to PLAY. I click PLAY and it says:

Steam Error  -  missing executable  -  D:[folder pathway of my steam library]\Kerbal Space Program\KSP.app

My Steam library says the 'size on disk' of KSP is 171 bytes. All my other games in there are much bigger.

If I go to KSP properties and click 'browse local files', as expected it opens the KSP folder in my usual Steam Library folder (where all my other games are) and the folder contains only 1 file called SteamDep.txt. 

If I go to KSP properties > local files > and click 'verify integrity of local game files... ', it says 'Validating files 1 of 1', then after 1 second says 'All files successfully validated'.

I tried uninstalling and re-installing some other Steam games, and they install and play just fine. Only KSP has this problem.

Anybody able to tell me why? Thanks.

[4x4cheesecake]

Try to delete the download cache of steam. In the top left corner, click on steam -> settings -> download -> clear download cache. You can also try to change the download region in the same window (IIRC this requires a restart of steam)

There is also a short explanation by valve, incl. a few pictures:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638&l=english

[Fife]

@4x4cheesecake. Thanks for the reply. I have done both of those (cleared download cache, changed download region), then installed KSP, but still has same problem. 

[4x4cheesecake]

7 hours ago, Fife said:

@4x4cheesecake. Thanks for the reply. I have done both of those (cleared download cache, changed download region), then installed KSP, but still has same problem. 

This is a very odd issue

Valve provides a troubleshooting guide for this, which also includes the steps you've already tried and a few others: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2274-IFLV-5334

You can also try to verify the file integrity which basically checks the game folder for missing files. Steam should download everything that's missing so in your case, the whole game.
Right click on the game in your library -> properties -> local files -> verify integrity of game files

 

[Guest]

deleted

Edited March 29, 2020 by Guest

[Fife]

Yes, I'm using 32 bit Windows 7.

So as you suggested, I have now successfully installed KSP v1.4.5. My KSP folder is now about 2GB.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Guest1]

On 5/17/2019 at 11:02 AM, Fife said:

Yes, I'm using 32 bit Windows 7.

So as you suggested, I have now successfully installed KSP v1.4.5. My KSP folder is now about 2GB.

Thanks a lot.

 

The same thing is happening to me. What was the fix for you? The reply above yours is deleted... thanks!

[Harry Rhodan]

10 hours ago, Guest1 said:

The same thing is happening to me. What was the fix for you? The reply above yours is deleted... thanks!

Like he said he used an older version from the beta tab:

It's either this or installing a 64bit operating system.

[haydne]

doesnt matter what version i use in the beta tab i still get the same problem please help ( the only one that works is current version)

[Blackfoxexo]

ive been playing ksp for years now and im getting the .app file missing error on the steam version

[specterdragon]

19 hours ago, Blackfoxexo said:

ive been playing ksp for years now and im getting the .app file missing error on the steam version

Same here. I haven't played in a couple of weeks - and everything was fine. Today I try to launch KSP and get the "KSP.app" missing error (running on Windows 11). And, it launches fine directly without Steam. But I like to stream it from my main desktop to a different computer through Steam, so hoping to get it running correctly again.

Edited October 27, 2022 by specterdragon

[adsii1970]

I’m a Steam beta tester and this is a Steam issue. It is not a KSP issue. Totally exit out of Steam and restart Steam. This forces it to update to the newest version.

This is s known issue.