How To Fix ‘Steam Won’t Open’ on Windows and Mac

Solution 1: Restarting Steam

Many times the Steam process keeps on running in the background and, thus, prevents it from launching again. So, first, stop the Steam processes which are running in the background and restart the process again.

Step 1: At first, right-click on the Taskbar and from the menu, select the option “Task Manager.”

Step 2: Now, click on the Processes tab. From the list, look for the Steam processes. After that, select the Steam process and then press the “End task” button. Follow another method if you don’t see any Steam processes.

Step 3: Follow step 2 again until all the steam processes are closed. Then, Restart the steam process.

Solution 2: Restarting the System

One of the fastest and easiest ways to fix the Steam not opening issue with the Steam opening is to restart your system.

Step 1: Firstly, click on the Start menu. Then, press the Power icon and then click Restart.

Step 2: After restarting the system, try opening the Steam again. If you are not able to open it, follow the next method.

Solution 2.1: Unplug the Unnecessary External Devices

External devices such as USB drives, printers, hard drives, extra keyboards, and many more obstruct the Steam process. So, remove them before opening the Steam again.

Solution 3: Restarting the Router

Only by restarting the Router, you can fix Steam Won’t Open error. So, follow the below steps to achieve this:

Step 1: Power off your system and then Power off your router.

Step 2: After that, unplug the router. Now, wait for two minutes and then plug it again into a power outlet. Now, wait again for two minutes and then power on the router.

Step 3: At last, turn on your system.

Solution 4: Updating the Windows

Another way to fix the Steam not opening issue quickly is to update your Windows 10 Operating System if it isn’t updated because the faulty update may cause the problem to occur. Follow the below steps to update your Windows:

Step 1: At first, in the Start menu, click on the “Settings” icon.

Step 2: Then, choose the option “Updates & Security” in the settings window.

Step 3: From the left side of the pane, choose the Windows Update option from the list. Then, on the right side, click on the button Check for updates under the Update status section.

Step 4: After installing the updates, restart your system for applying the changes.

Solution 5: Testing your RAM

During the installation process, memory problems can occur with RAM, which interferes with Steam. So, follow the below steps for checking your RAM:

Step 1: Close all programs in your system. Now, click on the Start menu and type “mdsched” in the search box, and from the list, select “Windows Memory Diagnostic.”

Step 2: A popup will appear. Click on “Restart and check for problems.”

Step 3: Now, a memory check will start for your system, and the system will restart. After restarting the system, click on the Start menu and type “event” in the search box and choose the option “Event Viewer.”

Step 4: From the left side of the pane, select the option “Windows Logs” and select the “System” option.

Step 5: Then, right-click on the “System” option and select “Filter current log” from the list. For choosing this option, the left click “System” first.

Step 6: Now, in the Filter Log window, select the option “MemoryDiagnostics-Results” from the drop-down menu on the right of “Event sources.” Then, click on the Ok button.

Step 7: Now, you will be redirected to the Event Viewer window, where you will see about two “Events” in the filtered log. Select each event and see the information displayed. If no errors are seen, then follow the next method. If you see errors, follow the next step 8.

Step 8: If a problem occurs with your RAM, then replace your RAM sticks and Restart your system. After that, follow the steps 1 to 7 again.

Change all the RAM sticks one by one. Replace the sticks which had errors. After replacing the damaged RAM sticks, check if System and Compresses Memory has turned back to normal CPU usage.

Solution 6: Repairing Steam

Make sure to back up your game file before performing this method. Now, follow the below steps to repair steam:

Step 1: At first, open the folder where Steam is installed. To open the folder where Steam is installed, follow the path: File Explorer -> This PC -> Windows C:

In Windows C, search for steamapps by typing in the search bar. Then, right-click the “steamapps” folder and “copy” it to the Documents file.

Step 2: Again, right-click the “steamapps” folder and select “Open file location.”

Step 3: After that, go to the official website of Steam and download the Steam installer. After downloading finishes, run the installer. Select the option of repairing the files and follow the prompts.

After this, try to open Steam again. If you are not able to open Steam, follow the next method. If you can open Steam but not able to access your saved game data, then just copy the “steamapps” folder, which is in “My Documents” back in the Steam folder, and removes the file which has the same name from there.

Solution 7: Reinstalling Steam

Before performing this method, make a backup copy of your game files because while reinstalling Steam, some data from online games may get lost even with a backup. However, you should be able to access them with your Steam account.

Step 1: Close the Steam from everywhere, no Steam process should be running in the background. To end the process running in the background, firstly open the Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar. Secondly, select the “Processes” tab. Then, search for the Steam process in the list of processes and select it. Now, click on the “End task” button. In case, no Steam process is running, go to step 2.

Step 2: As done in the previous method, backup the game file by searching for the Steam folder in your system.

• First, type Steam in the search box of the Start menu.
• Then, select the file Steam.exe by doing right click and now, selecting “Open file location.”
• Look for the file “steamapps.” Then, copy the steamapps file and paste it to “My Documents.”

Step 3: Click on the Start menu and enter the “Control Panel” in the search box.

Step 4: Select the option “Uninstall a Program.”

Step 5: Then, look for Steam in the list and select it. Now, click on Uninstall/Change and confirm your uninstallation. After that, Restart your system.

Step 6: After that, go to the official website of Steam and download the Steam installer. After downloading finishes, run the installer. Select the option of repairing the files and follow the prompts. To access your saved game data, just copy the “Steamapps” folder, which is in “My Documents” back in the Steam folder and remove the file which has the same name from there.

Solution 8: Updating the Date and Time

Steam always gathers real-time data from your system, which involves collecting date and time. So, if the date and time are off, then Steam will not open. Follow the below steps to synchronize your date and time settings:

Step 1: Firstly, click on the Start menu and type “Control Panel” in the search box. Then, click on the Control Panel under the Best match section.

Step 2: Control Panel window will appear, from its select “Clock and Region.”

Step 3: Select the “Date and Time” option.

Step 4: Then, a pop-up window will appear, click on the Internet Time tab. Now, click on the “Change settings” button.

Step 5: After that, tick marks the box “Synchronize with an Internet time server.” Click on “Update now.” After the update is over, press the Ok button.

Now check if you can open Steam. If you are not able to open Steam, go to the next method.

Solution 9: Checking your Hard Drive for Errors

Another way to fix the Steam won’t launch is to check your drive for errors and then to repair it because, after long-term use, storage devices can become faulty.

Step 1: In the Start menu, type File Explorer in the search box and then select it under the Best match.

Step 2: On the left side of the window, click on “This PC.” Then, choose the drive you want to fix and right-click on it.

Step 3: Then, from the list, choose “Properties.”

Step 4: A pop-up will appear. From it, choose the “Tools” tab and press the “Check” button. If the error check app has found errors, then you need to scan your drive by clicking on “Scan drive.”

Step 5: After the scanning completes, close the window and try relaunching Steam.

Solution 10: Uninstalling or Disabling Antivirus Program

Many times, third-party antivirus software also prevent Steam from opening because online games use some features that trick antivirus software into thinking it is malicious software.

First of all, check if your Windows Defender is deactivated or not. if another antivirus program is causing a problem. Also, if two antivirus programs are running simultaneously, then it may cause problems.

For deactivating Windows Defender, follow the below steps:

Step 1: At first, press the Windows and R key together from your keyboard to invoke the Run box. Type “regedit” inbox and click on the “Ok” button.

Step 2: Then, open the folders in the following order: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Policies-> Microsoft.

Step 3: At last, select “Windows Defender.” On the right side of the window, double click “DisableAntiSpyware” option from the list. However, if this option is not there, you have to create it. For this, right-click on the blank area and choose “New.” Then, from the menu, select “DWORD (32-bit) Value“. Give it the name “DisableAntiSpyware” and press Enter.

Step 4: After its creation, click on it. Then, modify its current value data to “1“. Click on the “Ok” button.

Finally, restart your computer.

Step 1: Thus, after disabling Windows Defender check if you can access the webpage. If not, then uninstall your antivirus software. So, firstly, press the Windows and X key together from your keyboard. Now, select the option “Settings.”

Step 2: Settings window will appear. Then, select “Apps.” Under the “Apps & Features” submenu, search for your antivirus program. Then, select it and press the “Uninstall” button.

Step 3: Then, Restart your system.

Step 4: Now, if you are not able to open Steam, reinstall your antivirus program and follow the next method. If you can open Steam, try installing some other antivirus program. See how we have disabled the Avast Antivirus completely or temporarily.

Solution 11: Checking if Internet Provider is Interfering with Steam

If the provider which you are using is saving bandwidth by compressing the data, then it might cause the problem in the working of Steam.

So, to test whether Steam is not opening because of Internet Provider, you have to connect on a different network with a different provider. Thus, if Internet Service Provider is the cause of the problem “Steam not opening,” then the only thing you can do is to change the provider.

Solution 12: Updating Drivers

This solution to fix the Steam won’t open issue will take some time, but it will make sure that outdated drivers are not hampering the operation of Steam.

Step 1: Press the Windows and X key together from your keyboard. From the list, select “Device Manager.”

Step 2: Then, just select the first type of device, and it will expand. Now, right-click the first device in the list and choose “Properties.”

Step 3: Click on the “Driver” tab and press the “Update Driver” button.

Step 4: A pop-up will appear, and from it, select the option “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

On the other hand, you can also download the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website and then install it manually.

Step 5: Searching will start. Then, after searching, a message will appear on your screen. In case your driver is up-to-date, you will see a message depicting that “the best drivers are already installed.” If not, the system will update the driver automatically.

Now, return to the device manager window (step 2)  and do the same for all the devices that are listed.

Step 6: After checking for updates, Restart your system.

At last, check if you can open Steam.

Solution 13: Disabling Overclocking

Overclocking means to set your computer to run at a higher speed than the usual one. This will boost up the performance power but can cause memory corruption issues. So, disabling overclocking might fix the problem of “Steam not opening.”

Step 1: Start with clicking on the Start menu and type “Settings” in the search bar. Then, select the settings option.

Step 2: Among all the options, select “Updates & Security.”

Step 3: From the left side of the pane, select “Recovery,” and under the Advanced section startup, click on “Restart now.”

Step 4: Afterwards, from “Choose an Option” menu, click on “Troubleshoot,” then “Advanced Options,” and at last, click on “UEFI Firmware Settings.”

Step 5: The computer will restart, and the UEFI menu will appear. Choose the option “Reset to default.”

Step 6: Finally, save the changes you have made and exit from BIOS.

Solution 14: Disabling Compatibility Mode

Steam is compatible only with Windows 10. Sometimes Windows 10 itself set the Compatibility Mode when any game error occurs. In other words, in case Compatibility Mode is the problem, then Steam will give you a warning.

For Windows 10 OS, Compatibility Mode can interfere with Steam, so it is not preferred. Also, you need to edit your registry because Windows 10 conceal that it has adjusted.

Note: Make a backup of the registry before performing this method. To back up your registry, follow the steps upto step 6.

Step 1: At first, close all the Steam processes. To do this, you need to the right click on the Taskbar and then choose “Task Manager.”

Step 2: Then, click on the Processes tab. From the list, look for the Steam processes. After that, select the Steam process and then press the “End task” button. Go to step 3, if you don’t see any Steam processes.

Step 3: Enter “Steam” in File Explorer, and after that, right-click “Steam.exe.” From the list, choose “Properties.”

Step 4: Click on the “Compatibility” tab. Uncheck all the options under this tab and press the “Apply” button.

Step 5: After that, click on the button “Change settings for all users.” Check if all other options are unchecked. Finally, press the “Apply” button and “OK” button.

Step 6: Then, exit from Properties window by clicking on the “Ok” button.

Step 7: Now, check if you can launch Steam. If you are not able to start Steam and warning appears on your screen, continue to follow the next steps.

Step 8: Press the Windows and R key together from your keyboard to invoke the Run box. Type “regedit” inbox and click on the “Ok” button.

Step 9: From the left side of the window, first expand the folder “HKEY_CURRENT_USER,” and afterwards, “Software.” Then, choose “Microsoft.”

Step 10: Now, expand the folders in the following order: Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> AppCompatFlags -> Layers

Step 11: On the right side of the window, the list of registry entries will appear. Search for “Steam.exe” and then right-click the Steam.exe entry. Then, select the option “Delete” to delete the entry.

Step 12: Select the AppCompatFlag folder again and then select “Compatibility” and now “Persisted.” Again search for the “Steam.exe” file on the right to delete it as done in the above step.

Step 13: Now, scroll back to the top and now open the folder “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.”

Step 14: Expand the folders in the following order: Software -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> AppCompatFlags -> Layers. In case no Layers folder is there, just follow the next step. Otherwise, delete the”Steam.exe” file as done in the previous step.

Step 15: At last, close the Registry and try launching the Steam.

Solution 15: Clean Booting your System

Sometimes, third-party applications interfere with Steam, so try restarting your system without these applications to fix the Steam won’t open error. Also, when you clean boot your system, it reboots the system with the essential Microsoft applications running, and the software which tends to change the system, network activity can still interfere with Steam.

Step 1: At first, log in to your system as an administrator. Then, press the Windows and R key together from your keyboard to invoke the Run box. In the run box, enter “msconfig” and click on the “Ok” button.

Step 2: System Configuration window will appear. Click on the “Services” tab. Then, tick marks the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.” At last, press the button, “Disable all.”

Step 3: Underneath the “Startup” tab, click on “Open Task Manager.”

Step 4: Task Manager will appear. Then, choose the “Startup” tab. Then, select all the items from the list and click on the “Disable” button. Close the Task Manager

Step 5: In the System Configuration window, click on the “Apply” button to save the changes. Then, press the “OK” button.

At last, restart your system. After restarting the system, check if you can open Steam.

Solution 16: Restoring the System

If you have made a system restore point manually and after that Steam stopped working, then you need to restore the system to that point. Thus, this solution will help you to fix the Steam won’t Open issue by going back to the point before it became an issue.

Step 1: Firstly, click on the Start menu and type “Settings” in the search bar. Then, select the Settings option.

Step 2: From the settings list, click on the option “Updates & Security.” On the left side of the pane, select “Recovery,” and on the right, under the Advanced section startup, click on “Restart now.”

Step 3: After restarting the system, “Choose an option” window will appear and select the option “Troubleshoot.”

Step 4: Then, click on “Advanced options.” Under Advanced options, click on “System Restore.”

After this, you have to choose the restore point, and your system will go back to that point in time.

Why is ‘Steam Opening But Not Showing’?

Another common problem that users often report is that Steam appears to be running (visible in the task manager), but nothing shows up on the desktop. Some potential causes for this issue include:

Display Resolution

Sometimes Steam might open in a resolution that doesn’t fit your display screen, making it appear as if it’s not showing.

Graphics Driver Issue

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can also cause this issue.

Running in Background

Steam might be running in the background but not displaying in the foreground due to a glitch or error.

Troubleshooting Steps

For ‘Steam Won’t Open’

1. Restart Your Computer: This often resolves any temporary glitches.
2. Run as Administrator: Try launching Steam as an administrator to bypass permission issues.
3. Check for Software Conflicts: Disable antivirus temporarily to see if that’s the issue.
4. Reinstall Steam: If all else fails, reinstalling Steam usually resolves the issue but make sure you back up your game data first.

For ‘Steam Opening But Not Showing’

1. Update Graphics Driver: Make sure your graphics drivers are up-to-date.
2. Check Display Settings: Try changing the screen resolution to see if Steam appears.
3. End Task: Go to Task Manager, end all Steam tasks and try reopening the program.

Related Posts:

• Steam Download Stopping and Restarting
• Unable to Initialize Steam API
• PUBG Failed to Initialize Steam
• Steam Content File Locked
• Steam Disk Write
• Steam Missing File Privileges
• How to Access Steam Screenshot Folder

Conclusion

Thus, follow the above solutions to fix the Steam Not Opening error, and still, if you are not able to fix it, the problem may be in the Steam program. Also, you can contact Steam’s customer support team.