How to Fix Application Load Error on Steam (Codes 5:0000065434 & 3:0000065432)

Steam is one of the most popular gaming platforms, but it’s not always perfect. Sometimes, when you try to launch a game, you might get an error like “Application Load Error 5:0000065434” or “Application Load Error 3:0000065432.”

These errors stop your game from opening, leaving you stuck on the loading screen. Don’t worry—it’s a common issue, and there are several simple ways to fix it.

Why This Error Appears

Most of the time, this error happens because Steam can’t properly locate or connect to the game files. Here are the most common causes:

• The game is installed in a different folder than Steam.
• Some game files are missing or corrupted.
• You’ve used mods that interfere with how the game loads.
• Steam doesn’t have enough permission to run the game.
• Antivirus software or background apps are blocking Steam.
• You’ve recently moved or reinstalled Steam and the path isn’t set correctly.

1: Run Steam as Administrator

Sometimes Steam just needs a bit more access to your system files.

1. Right-click the Steam shortcut on your desktop.
2. Choose Properties and open the Compatibility tab.
3. Tick the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply, then OK, and restart Steam.

This gives Steam full permission to read and launch your games correctly.

2: Delete the AppCache Folder

Corrupted cache files can stop games from launching.
Here’s how to clear them:

1. Close Steam completely (click Steam > Exit).
2. Open File Explorer and go to
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
3. Find the appcache folder, right-click it, and delete it.
4. Restart Steam—it will recreate a fresh cache automatically.

3: Copy Steam.exe to the Game Folder

If your game isn’t in the same directory as Steam, it might not find the right launch file.
To fix that:

1. Open your Steam folder at
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
2. Copy the Steam.exe file.
3. Go to your game’s folder inside
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[Your Game]
4. Paste the copied Steam.exe file there.
   Now launch the game again—it should work this time.

4: Create a Link Between Steam and the Game (Advanced)

If you prefer not to move or copy files, you can create a “symbolic link” instead.

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as admin.
2. Type:cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[Your Game]"
3. Then type:mklink "steam.exe" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe"You’ll see “symbolic link created” if it works.
4. Keep Steam open and try launching the game again.

5: Verify Integrity of Game Files

This step checks your game for missing or damaged files.

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click the game and choose Properties.
3. Select Installed Files (or Local Files in older versions).
4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
   Steam will scan and automatically replace broken or missing files.

6: Disable Antivirus or Add an Exception

Sometimes your antivirus mistakes game files for threats.
Try disabling it temporarily or add Steam’s folder to the “safe list.”
After doing that, launch Steam again and see if the game runs normally.

7: Move the Game to Steam’s Default Folder

If your game is installed on another drive, Steam might lose track of it.
To move it back:

1. In Steam, right-click the game > Properties.
2. Go to Installed Files > Move Install Folder.
3. Choose your default Steam directory and confirm.

8: Remove Mods or Custom Files

Mods can sometimes conflict with how Steam launches games.
Remove or disable all mods to restore the game to its default state, then relaunch it.

9: Reinstall Steam or the Game (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, you might need a clean reinstall.
Before doing this, back up your saved games.
Then:

1. Uninstall Steam (or just the specific game).
2. Download the latest version from the Steam website.
3. Reinstall and log back in.
4. Reinstall your games.

Optional: Recover Lost or Deleted Game Data

If your game data or save files went missing due to a crash or reinstall, recovery tools like DiskInternals Partition Recovery or Wondershare Recoverit can help restore them.
Just install one, scan your drive, and recover the files—it’s straightforward and usually takes only a few minutes.

Conclusion

The “Application Load Error” is annoying but fixable.

Start with simple steps—run Steam as admin, verify files, and clear the cache. If those don’t work, try moving or linking the game folder. In most cases, one of these methods will get your games running again so you can jump right back into play.