Is Steam Broadcast not working on your computer?
Steam has a Broadcast feature that enables users to stream gameplay without installing additional applications. All you need to do is enable the feature on Steam and start showing off your gameplay and skills online.
If you’re an aspiring streamer, Steam Broadcast is a handy tool you can start with.
However, the Steam Broadcast feature needs a capable computer to encode video in real-time while running games and a decent internet connection to stream your data.
Unfortunately, if you’re reading this right now, Steam Broadcast may not be working on your system.
Based on what we know, this issue is caused by server-related issues, incompatible hardware, or corrupted files. Outdated versions of Steam can also contribute to this problem on the platform.
In this guide, we will show you how to fix Steam Broadcast if it’s not working on your system.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Steam Servers.
Before changing your system or network settings, we recommend identifying first where the problem is coming from. You can do this by visiting third-party sites such as Downdetector to check if there’s an issue with Steam’s servers.
If Steam is currently down, this means that the problem is on their side. In this case, you don’t have to change anything on your side since the issue is with Steam’s servers.
However, if Steam’s servers are up and running, the issue is on your end. Proceed to the following method below to start troubleshooting the problem.
2. Ensure that Steam Broadcast is Enabled.
If Steam Broadcast is not working on your system, double-check if the feature is actually enabled on Steam. Sometimes, the feature gets disabled by default, or you may have turned it off and forgotten about it.
To check if Steam Broadcast is enabled, follow the steps below:
- First, access the Steam tab from the menu bar and click on Settings.
- After that, go to the Broadcasting tab.
- Lastly, click on Privacy Settings and ensure that Broadcasting Disabled is not selected.
Once done, try streaming your game again to see if the problem is solved.
3. Lower Your Stream Settings.
For users who are not using extremely high-end hardware, you may want to lower your stream settings if the Broadcast feature on Steam is not working properly. This will reduce the load on your system, and it will run more efficiently.
See the steps below to lower your broadcast settings on Steam:
- On Steam, access the Steam tab and choose Settings.
- Next, go to Broadcasting and reduce your Video Dimensions.
- Finally, set your encoding for Best Performance.
Hit the OK button afterward to save the changes. Try streaming again to check if the problem is solved.
4. Restart Your System.
Your system may have run into temporary errors that cause Steam and its features to malfunction. To fix this, reboot your computer to reload its operating system.
See the steps below to restart Windows:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows key to access the Start Menu.
- After that, go to the Power Options tab.
- Lastly, click on Restart to reboot your system.
Once done, go back to Steam and check if the Broadcast feature is now working.
5. Check Your Network Connection.
Aside from a capable system, Steam Broadcast also needs a stable internet connection to work. If you’re experiencing issues while using the feature, it may indicate that there’s a problem with your network.
To verify this, perform a test on your network using Fast.com to measure its upload and download speed.
If the result indicates that there’s an issue with your connection, restart your router to re-establish the link between your modem and your ISP’s servers.
Run another test after restarting your network to see if the problem is solved. If your connection is still running slow, contact your internet service provider and ask them to fix the quality of their service.
6. Disable Your Antivirus.
Steam may consume a lot of network bandwidth when you stream games using the Broadcast feature. This can trigger your antivirus to detect it as suspicious activity and block all connections coming from Steam.
When this happens, Steam and its features may not function since it doesn’t have access to your network connection.
To fix this, disable your antivirus or add Steam to the allowlist.
Once done, go back to Steam and try using the Broadcast feature again.
7. Allow Steam to Your Firewall.
Windows has a security feature that controls the access of applications to your network. If Steam is not allowed through your firewall, it can’t use your network connection, and it will have issues communicating with its servers.
To fix this, see the steps below to allow Steam to your firewall:
- First, access the Start Menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- After that, search for ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ and launch it.
- Now, click on ‘Allow an App or Feature Through Windows Defender Firewall’ and look for Steam on the list.
- Lastly, ensure that Steam is allowed to your Private and Public Networks.
Try using Steam Broadcast afterward to see if it’s now working.
8. Reinstall Steam.
Some of Steam’s installation files may have gotten severely corrupted and are no longer fixable. For your last resort, we suggest reinstalling Steam on your computer. This will ensure that you have the latest working copy of the app on your system.
Follow the guide below to remove Steam from your computer:
- On your computer, open the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a Program.
- After that, find the Steam app from the list of installed programs on your system.
- Finally, right-click on Steam and choose Uninstall.
After uninstalling Steam, go to their official site to re-download the installer.
Try streaming your games afterward to check if the problem is solved.
9. Report the Problem to Steam.
At this point, we suggest that you seek help from professionals if Steam Broadcasting is still not working.
Go to Steam Support and get in touch with their team to report the issue with the Broadcasting feature. Provide your account details, the game you’re trying to stream, and your system specifications to make it easier for Steam to assess the situation.
This ends our guide for fixing Steam Broadcast if it’s not working on your computer. If you have questions or any other concerns, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll do our best to help you out.
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