If you’ve been counting down the days until you can jump back into Pandora’s chaotic, loot-filled world, you’re probably already looking for details on Borderlands 4 preload Steam options to skip the long launch day wait. I’ve been covering Borderlands launches since the second game dropped, and I’ve made every mistake in the book when it comes to fumbling preload steps and missing out on hours of playtime right when servers go live. This guide breaks down everything we know so far about preloading the game on Valve’s platform, plus fixes for the most common issues that pop up before launch.
Key Details for Borderlands 4 Preload on Steam
Official announcements from Gearbox confirm preload access will be available for all Steam users who preordered any edition of the game, no exclusive access for deluxe buyers here. The current listed base game file size is 85 GB, with an extra 15 GB required if you bought the deluxe edition that includes the first year of DLC and bonus cosmetic packs. That means you’ll want to clear at least 120 GB of free space on your drive to avoid installation errors, even if the listed size is smaller. We also know that preload will go live 48 hours before the official global launch time for all eligible users.
Time zones can be tricky, so if you live in a region that’s ahead of the US launch window, you might see the preload go live earlier than you expect. Steam uses your account’s region settings to determine when preload unlocks, so you don’t have to change your region to get access early, and trying to do so might even get your account flagged for region fraud, which is not worth the risk. If you have auto-updates turned on for your Steam library, the preload will start downloading automatically as soon as it’s available, so you don’t even have to be at your computer to start the process. If you’re eligible for Borderlands 4 preload Steam access, you’ll get a notification from Steam the second it goes live, so you don’t have to keep checking your library manually.
Preorder Bonuses You Can Access During Preload
A lot of players assume preorder bonuses only unlock once the game goes live, but that’s not the case for Borderlands 4. You’ll get access to several bonus items as soon as your preload finishes, so you can see exactly what you’ll have waiting for you when servers open. All preorder buyers get the following bonuses added directly to their in-game inventory before launch:
- The Golden Weapon Pack, which includes two exclusive legendary weapons scaled to your level for the first 20 hours of gameplay
- The Retro Vault Hunter skin set for all four starting playable characters, plus a matching vehicle skin for your Outrunner
- 5 golden keys that you can redeem in-game as soon as you finish the opening prologue mission
- Early access to the first playable side character, which will unlock 72 hours before the general release for deluxe edition owners
Just note that you can’t actually use any of these items until launch day, but they’ll be waiting in your in-game inventory the second you log in for the first time. If you don’t see the bonuses listed in your Steam DLC tab after preloading, restart your client once to refresh your account entitlements. That fix works for 90% of missing bonus issues, per Steam’s official launch support guidelines.
Common Preload Errors and How to Fix Them
I’ve seen dozens of preload issues pop up for every big Steam launch, and most of them are easy to fix without contacting support. First, the most common issue is the "download paused" error that pops up when you don’t have enough space on your default drive. If you get this error, don’t cancel the preload entirely. Just go to your Steam settings, select the "Storage" tab, and choose a different drive with enough free space to move the partial download to. You won’t lose any progress you already made on the download.
Another common issue is the preload not showing up in your library even though you preordered the game. This usually happens if you bought the game through a third-party key seller, or if your payment didn’t fully process yet. Wait a few hours for payment to clear, and if it still doesn’t show up, reach out to the seller you bought the key from to confirm it’s valid. If you bought directly through Steam, check your purchase history to make sure the order went through successfully. You should also make sure your Steam client is updated to the latest version, as outdated clients often fail to detect new preload releases. If you’re still having trouble with your Borderlands 4 preload Steam download after trying these fixes, you can check the official Gearbox support page for up-to-date information about widespread server issues.
Is Preloading Borderlands 4 on Steam Worth It?
I get this question every time a new big looter-shooter launches, and the short answer is yes, almost always. The only time you might want to skip preloading is if you have a strict data cap on your internet plan, and you don’t want to use up a big chunk of your data a few days before launch. But for most players, preloading saves you hours of waiting on launch day, when Steam servers are usually overloaded with millions of people trying to download the game at the same time. You also don’t have to deal with the infamous Steam launch day slowdowns that have plagued big releases for years.
I skipped preloading for Borderlands 3, and I ended up waiting almost 7 hours for the game to download because the servers were so slow on launch day. I lost an entire evening of playing with my friend group, and I haven’t skipped a preload since. You also get the benefit of being able to fix any installation errors before launch day, so you don’t waste time troubleshooting when you could be looting legendary guns. The only small downside is that you’ll have the game taking up space on your drive for a couple days before you can play it, but that’s a tiny tradeoff for being able to jump in the second servers go live.
At the end of the day, prepping for Borderlands 4 preload Steam access is one of the easiest ways to make sure your launch day goes as smoothly as possible. Double check you have enough free space, confirm your preorder is listed in your library, and keep an eye out for official announcements from Gearbox about the exact preload start time for your region. If you run into any issues, the fixes we covered above will solve 99% of common preload problems, so you don’t have to stress about missing out on the first few hours of chaos in Pandora. Oh, and don’t forget to stock up on snacks before launch day, you’re going to need them for all the loot grinding ahead.