protonscr

Steam Workshop refuses to download some (apparently old) modifications on Ubuntu

steamopen 3rd party gameSteamCMD
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#12531 · opened 2025-12-07 by bydlocodd · updated 2026-08-03 · 19 comments · github
Bbydlocodd 2025-12-07 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version (build number or date): 1763795194
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No
  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
  • GPU: None

TLDR:

Some (presumably older) addons fail to install on the current version of the Gmod DS 4020 server and SteamCMD. This is not a game issue (https://github.com/Facepunch/garrysmod-issues/issues/6506)

Detailed

I'm encountering problems when installing certain Workshop addons on a Garry’s Mod Dedicated Server (appid 4020). When attempting to install them, Steam returns a Timed out error:

Processing collection 3619448711...
   Warning! Item is not public!
   Collection 'dro test issues' (2 items)
   Retrieving item details...
   2 new addon(s)
WS: Finished!

WS: Processing 2 addons...
Processing addon 2: Playermodel - Wall-E / Eve (562078514)...
   Addon needs downloading...
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
   Download Failed! Timed out!
Processing addon 1: Predator Combi-Stick & Crossbow (916239604)...
   Addon needs downloading...
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
   Download Failed! Timed out!
WS: Finished!
Failed to cache addon location of 562078514
Failed to cache addon location of 916239604

(MRE collection: https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=3619448711)

workshop_log.txt:

[2025-12-07 10:34:01] Client version: 1763795194
[2025-12-07 10:34:01] Loading workshop items for 1 installed apps for user [a:1:241906946]:


[2025-12-07 10:34:24] Client version: 1763795194
[2025-12-07 10:34:24] Loading workshop items for 1 installed apps for user [a:1:3799770323]:


[2025-12-07 12:20:42] Client version: 1763795194
[2025-12-07 12:20:42] Loading workshop items for 1 installed apps for user [a:1:1233016056]:


[2025-12-07 12:21:10] Client version: 1763795194
[2025-12-07 12:21:10] Loading workshop items for 1 installed apps for user [a:1:1407102007]:


[2025-12-07 12:21:26] Client version: no bootstrapper found
[2025-12-07 12:21:26] [AppID 4000] Loaded workshop items in "/home/container/steam_cache" (8 installed, 9 needed)
[2025-12-07 12:21:26] [AppID 4000] GetDetails request 0x1 - batch (0-1 of 1) => not in cache, requesting from Steam
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] GetDetails request 0x2 - batch (0-2 of 2) => not in cache, requesting from Steam
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Download item 562078514 requested by app
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Starting Workshop download job (requested item 562078514 )
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Workshop update job started while app is running, commit : yes
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Get details for item 562078514 failed : Timeout
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Download item 562078514 result : Timeout
[2025-12-07 12:21:27] [AppID 4000] Finished Workshop download job : No Error
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Updating workshop item details failed with Access Denied
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Download item 916239604 requested by app
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Starting Workshop download job (requested item 916239604 )
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Detected workshop change : changed cached item 916239604, new handle 820062603940757306 
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Workshop update job started while app is running, commit : yes
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Get details for item 916239604 failed : Timeout
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Download item 916239604 result : Timeout
[2025-12-07 12:21:28] [AppID 4000] Finished Workshop download job : No Error

At the same time, installing a larger collection (3292405475) that contains those same addons does work correctly (truncated output for clarity):

Processing addon 43: [Simfphys] Halo (2879250902)...
   Addon needs downloading...
   Downloaded!
   Mounted!
Processing addon 42: Predator Combi-Stick & Crossbow (916239604)...
   Addon needs downloading...
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
   Download Failed! Timed out!
Processing addon 41: [PM] Hl2 Antlion and worker (2756221698)...
   Addon needs downloading...
   Downloaded!
   Mounted!
Processing addon 40: [PM] HL:Alyx Antlion (2741111480)...
   Addon needs downloading...
   Downloaded!
   Mounted!
Processing addon 39: Meow (3614936337)...
   Addon needs downloading...
   Downloaded!
   Mounted!

I assumed the problem might be related to the way the server is installed (the server is running through a Pterodactyl panel), but I also tried installing the server manually with the SteamCMD package on Ubuntu and got the exact same error.

I also noticed the log entry [2025-12-07 12:21:26] Client version: no bootstrapper found (shown above), but apparently it does not interfere with the downloading process.

According to https://github.com/Facepunch/garrysmod-issues/issues/6506, this problem is not related to the game itself.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Install 4020 (Garry's Mod DS) server
  2. ./srcds_run -game garrysmod +host_workshop_collection 3619448711 (MRE collection id)
  3. look at stdout and workshop_log
Bbydlocodd 2025-12-07 github

"Big collection" is just a collection that contains "good" (downloadable) addons

SSainteKhalifa 2025-12-07 github

I have same error on CS2

Ccryx3001 2025-12-07 github

Same issue when installing 4020 and running srcds_run in steamcmd/steamcmd:ubuntu-22 docker image
Client version: 1763795194

PPelmeshkiDD 2025-12-08 github

Same issue on Windows PC's.

LLukGluk1341 2025-12-08 github

I am facing the same issue on SteamCMD running via Box64/86 on ARM from Oracle. I am using Ubuntu 22.04

Running a GMod-TTT-Server. Everything seems working well, I can join, I can play but if I want to add a workshop collection it installs just some of the addons of the collection.

Already tried to start the server with additional parameters like +workshop_key XYZ and +sv_setsteamaccount XYZ but that did not work either. It just says:

Processing addon X: ABC (XYZ)...
   Addon needs downloading...
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
   Download Failed! Timed out!
DDJChrisMas 2025-12-08 github

Seein the same error with my Gmod TTT Server and my Workshop collection

Wwasied 2025-12-08 github

Same error on my GMod servers (Ubuntu 22.04)

TTanukiAI 2025-12-08 github

Same error on GMod Server on Windows still happening. The one time I try to set something up and then this. Region EU

TTanukiAI 2025-12-08 github

Update: Using a server in the US seems to have fixed the issue. Testing again on EU server (+ VPN).
Edit: Either Steam fixed it or the US server. Can't exactly decide.

PPelmeshkiDD 2025-12-08 github

Update: Using a server in the US seems to have fixed the issue. Testing again on EU server (+ VPN). Edit: Either Steam fixed it or the US server. Can't exactly decide.

Not the case here.. Gonna wait for an official statement, most likely. If anyone has any other temporary fixes, would love to hear.

DDJChrisMas 2025-12-08 github

Update: Using a server in the US seems to have fixed the issue. Testing again on EU server (+ VPN). Edit: Either Steam fixed it or the US server. Can't exactly decide.

Not the case here.. Gonna wait for an official statement, most likely. If anyone has any other temporary fixes, would love to hear.

Im in EU (no VPN) and the issue seems to be gone now. It was definetly present 2h ago so they are doing something

Ccryx3001 2025-12-08 github

I confirm the issue seems to be resolved

PPelmeshkiDD 2025-12-08 github

Odd, still seems to be the issue for me. I will attempt to re-validate the server.
Edit: Re-validating the server with app_update 4020 validate has fixed the issue.

LLukGluk1341 2025-12-08 github

Problem seems to be solved after updating the server with app_update 4020 validate on my side.

Bbydlocodd 2025-12-09 github

Yeah, looks like it is also fixed on my end (tested on MRE collection)

@kisak-valve can we close the issue?

Ttech-meppem 2025-12-12 github

I'm having many issues trying to set up a new gmod server.
I've been using the dockers people have online, to no effect.
These are the ones I've tried:
https://hub.docker.com/r/phyremaster/easy-gmod
https://hub.docker.com/r/zennoe/gmod-css-tf2
https://hub.docker.com/r/laynal/docker-gmod
https://github.com/ceifa/garrysmod-docker

All of them end up in the same issue at the end:

Setting breakpad minidump AppID = 4000
[S_API] SteamAPI_Init(): Loaded local 'steamclient.so' OK.
SteamInternal_SetMinidumpSteamID:  Caching Steam ID:  76561197960265728 [API loaded no]
[S_API FAIL] Tried to access Steam interface SteamUser023 before SteamAPI_Init succeeded.
flock /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/sys_vendor LOCK_SH failed. errno = 13flock /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/product_name LOCK_SH failed. errno = 13src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
...
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2036) : Staging library folder not found
src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
[S_API FAIL] Tried to access Steam interface STEAMUSERSTATS_INTERFACE_VERSION012 before SteamAPI_Init succeeded.
[S_API] SteamAPI_Init(): Loaded local 'steamclient.so' OK.
SteamInternal_SetMinidumpSteamID:  Caching Steam ID:  76561197960265728 [API loaded no]
flock /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/sys_vendor LOCK_SH failed. errno = 13flock /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/product_name LOCK_SH failed. errno

And just hang there indefinitely.

I have tried a lot of adapting & editing these Dockerfiles, using both compose & run.
As well as creating my own docker file, nothing succeeded.

On debian bookworm.

HHubertusWine 2026-01-03 github

Same issue with a docker container for Project Zomboid. The mods fail to download in the container, but can be downloaded manually via ./steamcmd +workshop_download_item 108600 $mod_id.

Logs from container:
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099494, st:1,906,473,074> Workshop: DownloadPending GetItemState()=NeedsUpdate|DownloadPending ID=3431734923
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099495, st:1,906,473,075> Workshop: download 0/0 ID=3431734923
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099529, st:1,906,473,109> Workshop: onItemNotDownloaded itemID=3431734923 result=37
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099529, st:1,906,473,109> Workshop: item state DownloadPending -> Fail ID=3431734923
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | Exception in thread "main" LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099531, st:1,906,473,111> java.lang.NullPointerException
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099532, st:1,906,473,112>    at java.base/java.io.File.<init>(Unknown Source)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099533, st:1,906,473,113>    at zombie.ZomboidFileSystem.deleteDirectory(ZomboidFileSystem.java:1526)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099533, st:1,906,473,113>    at zombie.network.GameServerWorkshopItems.Install(GameServerWorkshopItems.java:246)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099534, st:1,906,473,114>    at zombie.network.GameServer.main(GameServer.java:727)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099535, st:1,906,473,115> Shutdown handling started
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : Network      f:0, t:1767435099536, st:1,906,473,116> Server exited
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099540, st:1,906,473,120> Exception in thread "Thread-0" LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099540, st:1,906,473,120> java.lang.NullPointerException: Cannot invoke "zombie.iso.IsoMetaGrid.save()" because "this.grid" is null
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099541, st:1,906,473,121>    at zombie.network.ServerMap.SaveAll(ServerMap.java:75)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099541, st:1,906,473,121>    at zombie.network.ServerMap.QueuedSaveAll(ServerMap.java:696)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099542, st:1,906,473,122>    at zombie.network.ServerMap.QueuedQuit(ServerMap.java:664)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | LOG  : General      f:0, t:1767435099542, st:1,906,473,122>    at zombie.network.GameServer$1.run(GameServer.java:374)
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1  | src/clientdll/contentupdatecontext.cpp (2037) : Install library folder not found
> ProjectZomboidDedicatedServer-1 exited with code 0
LLUJIBA 2026-06-10 github

Another data point for this issue, from Windows (same backend, in case it helps narrow things down).

  • OS: Windows 11, desktop Steam client (stable channel), region: China
  • Affected: all LEGACY workshop items — Oxygen Not Included (457140) and Steam Controller Configs (241100). Every attempt: "Get details for item failed : Timeout" after exactly ~20s, ongoing since at least 2026-06-06.
  • Not affected: modern SteamPipe workshop (a CS2/730 item downloads instantly), login/store/friends all normal.
  • Key detail: on the same machine and network, anonymous SteamCMD (workshop_download_item 457140 ) and DepotDownloader (-app 457140 -pubfile ) both download the same items successfully, and ISteamRemoteStorage/GetPublishedFileDetails responds instantly. So the legacy UGC backend and CM path are reachable — only the full client's workshop job path times out.
  • Ruled out locally: proxy/VPN on and off, four different network routes (direct + three tunnels; login succeeds on all), -tcp, clearing download cache, forcing different CM servers (Shanghai / Seattle / Singapore / Hong Kong). The symptom is identical on every route.
  • Onset roughly coincides with the Workshop upgrade rollout (late May 2026).
Llynrayy 2026-08-03 github

Still relevant.
On windows, for dedicated gmod server

Nothing extracted yet.