Square Enix has formally apologized and launched an investigation after a localized language update for the Steam version of NieR: Automata erroneously triggered a 366.56GB storage requirement. The issue, which surfaced on November 6, 2026, has prevented many players from installing or updating the game despite the actual file size remaining approximately 50GB once installed.
The technical error appears to be a “stacking” bug during Steam’s pre-installation storage check. Rather than calculating the additive size of the new language files, the platform is treating each of the game’s individual DLC entries as a full copy of the base game. With more than eight DLC items listed for the title, Steam aggregates these approximately 45GB blocks into a single, massive requirement that exceeds the capacity of many standard solid-state drives.
Square Enix confirmed the problem via the official NieR PR account on X, stating that the team is currently investigating the cause. The update was originally intended to introduce support for Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. While the actual disk footprint remains between 45GB and 50GB, the Steam client blocks the download entirely if the user does not have 366.56GB of free space available to pass the initial system check.
This patch represents the first significant update for the PC version of NieR: Automata in over five years, with the last major stability and graphics patch dating back to July 15, 2021.
Official Workaround for Steam Users
While a permanent fix is in development, a verified workaround allows players to bypass the 366GB requirement. According to reports from users and technical analysis, the storage check can be circumvented by following these steps:
- Open the Steam Library and right-click on NieR: Automata.
- Select “Properties” and navigate to the “DLC” tab.
- Uncheck all listed DLC items to temporarily remove them from the installation queue.
- Begin the installation or update for the base game, which should now correctly request approximately 45-50GB.
- Once the base game is installed, return to the DLC tab and re-enable the items individually.
This method forces Steam to verify storage for the base files first, rather than aggregating all assets into a single erroneous total. Technical reports at games.gg confirm that once the game is on the drive, the actual space consumed does not increase to the reported 366GB.
The issue is strictly limited to the PC version on Steam. Players on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as those using the Windows Store/Game Pass version, are not affected by the storage calculation bug. Square Enix has not yet provided a specific timeline for when the metadata fix will be deployed to the Steam servers.