Zenless Zone Zero Steam Download Stuck? 8 Ways to Fix 0 Bytes & Frozen Installation Loop

I’ve been playing HoYoverse games for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that launchers and large updates sometimes create problems that have nothing to do with your actual internet speed. Recently, while helping friends install Zenless Zone Zero through Steam, I ran into multiple download issues myself. Some downloads stopped at 99%, others sat at 0 bytes per second for ages, and a few seemed completely frozen.

The good news is that in most cases the game isn’t actually broken. Steam, Windows, storage drives, and HoYoverse’s own asset verification systems can create conflicts that make the installation look dead when it’s still trying to process files in the background.

If your Zenless Zone Zero download refuses to finish, these are the solutions that worked for me and many other players.

Why Zenless Zone Zero Downloads Get Stuck

Before trying random fixes, it’s worth understanding what causes the problem.

In my experience, one of these issues is usually responsible:

Problem	Typical Symptom
Corrupted Steam Cache	Download stops at a specific percentage
Busy Download Servers	Speed drops to 0 B/s randomly
Windows Security Restrictions	Disk write errors appear
SSD/HDD Bottlenecks	Network speed hits zero while disk usage spikes
Asset Verification Loops	Download reaches 100% but never finishes
Network Configuration Issues	Failed download or endless retry messages

The exact cause varies from system to system, but the fixes below cover nearly every scenario I’ve encountered.

1. Clear the Steam Download Cache First

This is always my first recommendation because it solves an incredible number of Steam-related download issues.

Over time, Steam stores temporary download data. When that data becomes corrupted, the client may stop requesting new files even though the download appears active.

Steps

Open Steam
Go to Steam → Settings
Select Downloads
Click Clear Download Cache
Confirm the action
Sign back into Steam

After restarting, resume the Zenless Zone Zero installation and see if the stuck percentage disappears.

In my testing, this solved multiple cases where the download was permanently stuck above 90%.

2. Switch Your Download Region

Many players overlook this option.

Steam uses regional content delivery servers, and some regions become overloaded whenever a major patch launches.

I’ve personally seen download speeds jump from almost nothing to full bandwidth simply by changing regions.

Recommended Approach

Instead of choosing the closest location, try:

A neighboring country
Another major city
A less populated region

For example, players using heavily loaded East Coast servers often get better performance from Midwest or Canadian nodes.

After changing regions, restart Steam completely before testing again.

3. Repair Your Steam Library Folder

Sometimes the download isn’t failing because of the network at all.

Steam may lose permission to write files correctly inside its library directory.

Quick Fix

Open Steam Settings
Go to Storage
Select your installation drive
Open the options menu
Choose Repair Folder

The process only takes a few moments and can fix hidden permission issues that prevent Zenless Zone Zero from completing installation.

4. Run Steam as Administrator

Windows security has become increasingly aggressive over the years.

Large game installs that constantly unpack and rewrite files can trigger restrictions, especially on the system drive.

What I Usually Do

Exit Steam completely
Right-click Steam
Select Run as Administrator
Resume the download

It’s a simple fix, but I’ve seen it resolve several stubborn disk-write errors immediately.

5. Check Windows Defender and Antivirus Software

One of the more frustrating problems occurs when security software mistakes game assets for suspicious behavior.

Zenless Zone Zero performs extensive file verification during installation, and antivirus programs occasionally interfere with that process.

Add These Exceptions

Allow the following through your security software:

Steam
Steam Library Folder
Zenless Zone Zero installation directory
HoYoverse launcher components (if installed)

If you’re using third-party antivirus tools, temporarily disabling real-time scanning during installation can also help identify whether security software is the culprit.

Just remember to enable protection again afterward.

6. Reset Your Network Configuration

If the download repeatedly fails with network-related errors, I recommend resetting Windows networking.

Cached DNS records and corrupted network settings can cause failed connections even when your internet appears perfectly fine.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Once complete:

Restart your PC
Reboot your router
Launch Steam again

This method has helped many players who reached 100% verification only to receive a network failure message.

7. Don’t Ignore Disk Usage

This is probably the most misunderstood issue.

Many players assume the download is frozen because Steam shows 0 B/s.

However, when I checked Task Manager during one installation, the SSD was running at nearly 100% usage while Steam appeared inactive.

The launcher wasn’t downloading anything because it was busy unpacking massive compressed archives.

How to Verify

Open Task Manager and monitor:

Disk Usage
CPU Activity
Steam Processes

If the drive is heavily active, simply wait.

I’ve seen Zenless Zone Zero appear frozen for over ten minutes before suddenly continuing normally.

Patience can save you from restarting the entire installation.

8. Use the Official HoYoPlay Launcher as a Backup

When Steam absolutely refuses to cooperate, there’s still a workaround.

One thing I appreciate about HoYoverse is that the game files can often be recognized by the standalone launcher.

How It Works

Install HoYoPlay
Choose the locate game option
Point it toward your Steam installation folder
Allow the launcher to verify existing files

Instead of downloading everything again, HoYoPlay typically scans what already exists and downloads only missing components.

For players with slower internet connections, this can save hours.

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My Personal Recommendation

After helping several friends solve this issue, I would follow this order:

Clear Steam cache
Change download region
Repair Steam library folder
Run Steam as administrator
Check antivirus settings
Reset networking
Monitor disk activity
Use HoYoPlay as a fallback

Most installations are fixed within the first three steps.

The biggest mistake players make is assuming the download is frozen when Steam is actually unpacking files in the background. Before canceling anything, always check Task Manager and give the installer some time to work.

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Final Thoughts

Zenless Zone Zero is one of the most stylish action RPGs currently available, but like many modern games, its installation process can occasionally be more complicated than expected. Fortunately, the problem is rarely permanent.

Whether your download is stuck at 0 bytes, frozen at 99%, endlessly verifying files, or refusing to finish after a major update, one of these solutions will usually get things moving again.

I’ve encountered nearly every Steam download issue imaginable over the years, and in the vast majority of cases the fix ends up being surprisingly simple. Take a systematic approach, avoid repeatedly restarting the installation, and you’ll likely be exploring New Eridu much sooner than you think.