Can’t figure out why you’re unable to connect to Steam servers?
Steam is the largest game distribution platform for PC with more than 70% of the market share since 2013. The platform offers DRM (Digital Rights Management), automatic game updates, and cloud storage.
Besides, Steam also packs social networking features such as friends lists, groups, in-game voice chats, and a community page where users can discuss various topics,
Unfortunately, Steam is not perfect, and it may suffer from occasional downtimes and errors.
If you’re here, you are probably struggling to communicate with Steam’s servers due to an error message that pops up whenever you try to log in to your account.
Based on what we know, this issue is caused by faulty servers or unstable internet connections. However, it can also be due to corrupted files on your system, improper configurations, or outdated software.
To help you out, we’ve decided to make a guide on what to do if you’re unable to connect to Steam servers.
Let’s jump right in!
1. Check Steam Servers.
When you run into errors while accessing your Steam account, it will be likely due to an issue with the servers. You can verify this by visiting websites such as Downdetector, where you can check the status of Steam.
If there’s an ongoing issue with the servers, the only option you can do is wait for Steam to fix the problem.
On the other hand, you can head on to the next solution if there’s nothing wrong with Steam to address the problem on your system.
2. Restart Your System.
Network connectivity issues on applications such as Steam may indicate a problem with your system. Windows may have run into temporary errors that affected the performance of your network.
To fix this, simply restart your computer to reload its resources.
Here’s what you need to do:
- First, access the Start Menu by clicking the Windows icon on the Taskbar.
- Next, go to the Power Options tab.
- Lastly, click on Restart.
After restarting your computer, go back to Steam and check if you can now connect to the servers.
3. Check Your Network Connection.
A slow or unstable network could also be the reason why you’re unable to connect to Steam servers. When accessing Steam or playing games, you’ll need a decent internet connection to avoid issues.
To check if your internet connection is the culprit, run a test on your network using Fast.com to measure its current upload and download speed.
If there’s a problem with your network, reboot your modem or router. Unplug the power cable from the outlet and let your router rest for 5 to 10 seconds. After that, reconnect the power chord to restart your router.
Once done, perform another test on your network to see if everything’s in order. If the issue persists, contact your service provider and ask them to fix the problem.
4. Run Steam As Administrator.
Windows could be blocking Steam from accessing your network or specific system files, which causes connectivity issues. To fix this, run Steam as an administrator to bypass any restrictions from your operating system.
Follow the steps below to run Steam as an administrator:
- On your desktop, locate Steam and right-click on it.
- After that, choose Properties and access the Compatibility tab.
- Finally, enable the ‘Run this Program as an Administrator’ option.
Go back to Steam afterward and try accessing your account to check if the problem is solved.
5. Allow Steam to Your Firewall.
Windows has a built-in security feature called Windows Defender Firewall. This system tool controls the programs that can access your network connection. If you’re unable to connect to Steam servers, Steam may be blocked from your firewall.
Check out the steps below to fix this issue:
- First, click on the Windows icon on your Taskbar to access the Start Menu.
- Next, search for ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ and open it.
- After that, click on ‘Allow an App or Feature Through Windows Defender Firewall’.
- Lastly, look for the Steam app and ensure that it’s allowed on your Private and Public Networks.
Try accessing your Steam account afterward to check if the problem is solved.
6. Turn Off VPN.
Virtual private networks are third-party programs that protect your online data from hackers and other harmful entities. They can also bypass restrictions set by your ISP so you can access apps and websites that are not available on your legion.
VPNs work by changing your IP address and filtering your data to keep you protected online.
However, this process can introduce delays and interruptions to your network, causing connectivity issues to online apps such as Steam.
If you’re unable to connect to Steam servers, we suggest that you disable your VPN first.
On the other hand, you can also try other providers such as PureVPN if you’re not comfortable browsing online without protection. PureVPN uses hundreds of high-speed servers worldwide for fast and secure browsing.
7. Reinstall Steam.
If you’re still unable to connect to Steam servers, there might be an issue with Steam’s installation files. In this case, we recommend reinstalling Steam on your system to ensure that you have the latest working copy on your computer.
Here’s how you can delete Steam on Windows:
- On your computer, go to the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a Program.
- Next, locate Steam from the list of programs installed on your system.
- Finally, right-click on Steam and choose Uninstall.
Go to Steam’s website afterward and download the installer from there.
Try accessing your Steam account again to see if you can now connect to the servers.
8. Report the Problem to Steam.
Your account may have an issue that needs attention from Steam, which explains why you can’t access it.
In this case, we suggest that you visit Steam Support and contact their team to ask for assistance regarding your account. Make sure to provide all necessary information regarding your account to speed up the troubleshooting process.
Steam may also require proof of ownership of your account, so be sure to have that ready.
This ends our guide on what to do if you’re unable to connect to Steam servers. For your other questions, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
