The auto-downloader usually fails here too, so you’ll set this up manually.
Don’t panic. Manual installation is straightforward and often more reliable than auto-downloaders. Here’s how to do it correctly.
If you still see "please add creamapi dlls manually exclusive" after following all steps, try these advanced fixes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Wrong architecture | You placed 64-bit DLLs in a 32-bit game or vice versa. Check the game’s EXE properties. |
| Missing Visual C++ Redists | Install the latest VC++ runtimes from Microsoft. |
| Steam client updates | CreamAPI may be outdated. Download the latest fork (e.g., CreamInstaller or Auto-CreamAPI). |
| Tool looks for a renamed DLL | Some tools expect exclusive_creamapi.dll. Rename the DLL accordingly. |
| Permissions error | Run the game as Administrator. |
This is the most critical step. You must place the files where the tool (or the game) expects them.
Option A: For an Installer Tool (Fixing the Error) If you are using a tool that threw this error, it usually has a specific folder structure it watches.
Option B: Manual Game Installation (The "Manual" Method) If you are just trying to get the game working and don't care about the tool:
steam_api.dll file.steam_api.dll to steam_api_o.dll (this acts as a backup).cream_api.dll (or the custom steam_api.dll provided by CreamAPI) into this folder.cream_api.ini file into this folder.
The error typically manifests in third-party tools designed to automate the patching of game executables. Instead of the tool successfully fetching the necessary files from a remote server (like GitHub or a dedicated repository), the download fails, prompting the user to intervene. The auto-downloader usually fails here too, so you’ll
Key Causes:
Once the files are placed manually:
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To manually add CreamAPI DLLs when the automated download fails, you must manually rename your original Steam API files and replace them with the CreamAPI versions in the game's directory. Manual Installation Steps
Locate the Original DLL: Open your Steam library, right-click the game, select Manage, then click Browse local files. Find steam_api.dll or steam_api64.dll (usually in the main folder or a bin/plugins subfolder).
Rename Original File: Rename the existing file to steam_api_o.dll or steam_api64_o.dll (the _o stands for "original"). Add CreamAPI Files:
Copy the CreamAPI version of the DLL (matching the original's name) into the same folder. Don’t panic
Copy the cream_api.ini configuration file into this folder as well. Configure DLCs: Open cream_api.ini with a text editor like Notepad.
Locate the [dlc] section and add the DLC IDs and names (e.g., 123456 = DLC Name).
You can find these IDs on SteamDB by searching for your specific game. Troubleshooting
Security Software: Your antivirus may block or delete the DLLs because they modify game files; this is often a false positive.
Alternative Tool: If manual setup is too difficult, you can try using CreamInstaller or AutoCreamAPI, which automate the process of finding DLL locations and generating the .ini file.
Linux/Steam Deck: For Linux, you may need to use creamlinux or set launch parameters like sh ./cream.sh %command%.
