Steam It is a free gaming software for accessing, playing, and downloading a wide range of games. Sometimes, you may encounter the Steam app not opening issue on Windows 10. When you try to launch the Steam app after it has been closed for some time, you may notice that Steam is not working. There may be too many players active online, which may be blocking your login. However, if it's due to other issues, read how to fix Steam not opening on Windows 10 below. Here are some of the cool features of Steam:
- This gaming platform is easy to use and free to download and use.
- It provides various chat options to communicate online with friends and other players.
- It allows users to install online PC games directly to their cloud storage after purchase. It's like an online game store.
- Since CDs and DVDs will get scratched or damaged over time, Steam was purchased for playing and purchasing games online.
- You also have the option to gift or trade collectible items within the community.
How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10
Here are the reasons why Windows refuses to boot your operating system: Steam client:
- Corrupted installation files
- Outdated Windows Update
- Server crash
- Corrupted system files
- Network connection settings
If the Steam app doesn't open, you should first check if the Steam servers are currently down. Go to the IsItDownRightNow Check if Steam servers are working or not.
If the servers are not down, follow the solutions listed in this guide to fix the issue.
Note: Be sure to Create a system restore point only as a backup.
Method 1: Run Steam as administrator
Running the application as an administrator will fix many issues, as it will grant the application all the required permissions. Follow these steps to open Steam as an administrator:
1. Press Windows key And type Steam Click on the option "Run as administrator".
2. Click "Yeah" in control router In the user account.
Check if the Steam not opening issue on Windows 10 has been fixed. If so, enable this option as follows:
1. Go to C:>Program Files (x86)>Steam Or Guide Where it was Install Steam.
2. Right click on steam.exe and select The properties , As shown below.
3. Switch to the tab "Compatibility" Check the highlighted box. “Run this program” as an administrator Distinctively illustrated.
4. Click Apply > OK To save these changes.
Method 2: Troubleshoot Internet Connections
Steam lets you play games offline even when you don't have an internet connection. However, some network connection settings may restrict the app from opening, leading to Steam not opening on Windows 10:
1. Press the keys Windows + I At the same time to run Settings.
2. Click on the box Update and security , as shown.
3. Go to the menu Troubleshooting from the right part.
4. Select Internet Connections and click the button. Run the troubleshooter As shown below.
5. Choose an option Troubleshoot Internet connection issues.
6. Wait for it to detect. Troubleshooter.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the issue. Once the process is complete, Restart the computer.
Method 3: Synchronize date and time
Incorrect date and time settings can also cause Steam not to open. Follow these steps to fix this:
1. Right-click on the partition. time and date on Taskbar.
2. Select an option Set date/time from the list.
3. Turn on the toggle switch for the selected options:
- Set the time automatically
- Set the time zone automatically
Method 4: Restart the Steam process
Even after closing Steam client On your computer, the application may still be running in the background. Therefore, follow the steps below to disable Steam processes to fix the Steam not opening issue on Windows 10:
1. Press the keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc At the same time to open Task Manager.
2. Select Steam application process and click the . button finish the job , as shown.
3. Now, Restart your computer and turn on Run Steam as administrator.
Method 5: Allow Steam through Windows Firewall
Any changes or conflicts with your firewall settings can also cause this issue. Therefore, follow these steps to add Steam as an exception in Windows Defender Firewall:
1. Press Windows key , and type control panel in Windows search bar , and click to open.
2. Set Display by:> Large icons And click Windows Defender Firewall to follow.
3. Next, tap Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
4 a. Search and allow Steam Through the firewall by selecting the private and public checkboxes.
4b. Alternatively, you can click Change settings , Then Allow another app … button to browse and add the Steam app to the list. Then check the corresponding boxes.
5. Finally, tap "OK" To save the changes. Now, open Run Steam as administrator Check if the problem is fixed.
Method 6: Delete the AppCache folder
This folder contains cache information about games and apps. Deleting it will force the app to refresh.
Note: Once you launch the Steam application, the application cache will be created automatically.
1. Press the keys Windows + E Together to open File Explorer
2. Go to the location where you installed Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Note: If you're not sure, read our guide: Where are Steam games installed? Here.
3. Right-click on the folder. appcache And choose Delete option As shown.
4. Now, restart your computer and start Run Steam as administrator once again.
Method 7: Run SFC and DISM scans
Corrupted operating system files can also cause Steam to not open on your device. Windows has built-in system file repair tools like SFC & DISM, which can be run as shown below:
1. Press Windows key , And type Command Prompt And click Run as administrator.
2. Click "Yeah" in the prompt User Account Control.
3. Write SFC / scannow And press Enter key to turn on System File Checker.
Note: The system scan will begin and take two minutes to complete. In the meantime, you can continue performing other activities, but be careful not to accidentally close the window.
After the scan is complete, any of these messages will appear:
- Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
- Windows Resource Protection found and successfully repaired corrupted files.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupted files but was unable to repair some of them.
4. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer.
5. Again, run the command prompt as administrator and execute the given commands one by one:
dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /restorehealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
Note: You must have a working Internet connection to execute DISM commands correctly.
Method 8: Repair the Steam client
Alternatively, use Windows PowerShell to repair the Steam client as follows:
1. Press Windows key , And type windowsowershell and click Run as administrator.
2. Click "Yeah" In the User Account Control prompt.
3. Type the following command and press Enter key.
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /Fix
Note: If your Steam file is located elsewhere, you'll need to enter that directory instead. Read our guide: Where are Steam games installed? Here.
4. Once the repair is complete message appears, restart your computer.
Method 9: Free up disk space
Since Steam is an online tool, it requires free disk space to function optimally. You can easily free up disk space without uninstalling third-party applications and potentially fix the Steam not opening issue.
1. Turn on File Explorer and go to this computer.
2. Here, right-click on the drive. (C 🙂 Where it was Install Steam and select Properties As shown.
3. In the tab "general" , click the . button Disk Cleanup.
4. A prompt will appear and it will be calculated. Disk Cleanup The amount of space that can be freed up.
5. Check the box for all the required items under Files to be deleted: and click Clean system files.
6. Once the scan is complete, select the checkboxes again for all selected items and click "OK".
7. Finally, click the button. Delete Files in the confirmation message.
7. Restart your computer to clear additional space.
Method 10: Update Windows
Updating Windows will greatly help fix most issues.
1. Go to Windows Security > Update & Security As above.
2. On the Windows Update tab, click the button Check for updates.
3a. If a new update is available, click INSTALL NOW وRestart your computer.
3b. Otherwise, if Windows is up to date, you will see an updated message.
Method 11: Uninstall conflicting applications
A program recently installed on your device may also be causing this issue. Follow these steps to uninstall recent programs that are causing Steam not to open on Windows 10:
1. Press Windows key , And type Applications and Features , and click to open.
2. Here, click on the drop-down menu. Sort according to And choose Installation date As shown below.
3. Click Latest installed software (Such as Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio) and select the option uninstall , As shown below.
4. Click Uninstall again to confirm.
5. Repeat the same for all these applications and restart your computer.
Method 12: Reinstall the Steam client
Reinstalling the Steam app may resolve the issue of Steam not opening on Windows 10 if the app isn't working normally. The latest version of the app is installed during reinstallation, which significantly improves its performance.
1. Turn on Applications and Features From the tape Windows search As shown.
2. Select Steam and click the . button uninstall As shown in the picture.
3. Again, click on "uninstall" For confirmation.
4. In a window Steam Uninstall , Click Uninstall to remove Steam.
5. Then Restart your computer Windows personal.
6. Download the latest version of Steam From your web browser, as shown.
7. After Download , run the file SteamSetup.exe Which is downloaded by double clicking on it.
8. In processor Steam setup , click the . button "the following".
9. Choose Destination folder Using the Browse option… or keep the default option. Then, click Installations , As shown below.
10. Wait for the installation to complete and click "ending" , as shown.
Q1. Will updating my graphics drivers fix the Steam app not opening issue?
answer. Yes, updating your graphics drivers may also solve the problem of not opening. Steam In Windows 10.
We hope this guide will help you fix the issue of not opening. Steam In Windows 10, let us know which method worked for you. Feel free to leave your questions and suggestions in the comments section below.
