Good day!
The question about the work of Steam is very popular, which I have received more than once (and not twice 😉) through a variety of contacts. Maybe it’s right: after all, games not only while away the time, but also help relieve stress, calm down, create new acquaintances.
In this post, I will list the most common problems that arise when logging into a Steam account. After going through them and following simple recommendations, there is a high probability that the account will be restored.
I note that I do not pretend to be the ultimate truth, and take the recommendations critically. Moreover, I cannot call myself a frequent guest on Steam (and therefore, I may not know everything about some newfangled nuances) ...
Now about the reasons and what can be done with them ...
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Likely Reasons Steam May Be Unavailable
A few words about password and login
And so, I want to start with the cornerstone! In 80 ÷ 90% of cases, problems with the entrance are observed due to incorrect entering of the password and login. Moreover, many users claim that their login information is exactly correct, because they are written on a piece of paper 😉 ...
Here I will immediately make a remark. Input data may be incorrect due to:
- incorrect layout (also note if you have any utilities that automatically change the layout - they can easily change it when you enter a password);
- due to the pressed Caps Lock key;
- due to the "appearance" of a space (at the beginning or end of the password entry line).
Alternatively: first try typing your password in a notepad, check every single character. Then select it, copy and paste it into the line "Password" on Steam.
Randomly typed password in notepad
If the above did not help to log into your account, use the specials. button "I can't sign in to my account ..." ... See screenshot below.
I can't log into my Steam account
Next, Steam will offer you to choose one of several different event options. In most cases, if you just forgot your password, or it suddenly doesn't work, just click on the first link "I forgot my Steam account name or password" .
Forgot username and password
Then enter your e-mail, phone number, or login.
Name, mail or phone number
Then the service will offer to create a new password for you. In general, everything is quite simple and fast.
Entering a new password
Check internet availability
The second point, which I cannot but draw attention to, is the stability of the Internet connection (and, in general, its availability). Pay attention to the tray (the network icon is usually located next to the sound icon, layout). It shouldn't have any red crosses or yellow exclamation marks on it (as in the example below).
An example of an error: when you hover over the Wi-Fi icon, Windows reports that the connection is without Internet access ...
If everything is in order with the icon, check the stability of the Internet connection, what is the current speed (if it is less than 15-20 Kb / s, then it is not surprising that Steam will slow down terribly and you may not wait for it to load).
This is best done using special services. For example, the service: //beta.speedtest.net/ru shows very good stability and quality (see the screen of its work below).
To help! The best services for testing the speed of the Internet - //ocomp.info/kak-uznat-skorost-interneta.html
Results in beta.speedtest.net/en
During the test, pay attention to the download and upload speed - for high-quality * network operation, the speed should not be lower than 2-3 Mbps ...
Steam process is frozen (and not responding)
In some cases, after starting Steam, nothing may happen at all (as if you did not open anything). Most often, in this case, the Steam process simply freezes (and until you restart it and try to open it again, the problem cannot be solved ...).
In order to view all running processes in the system, you need to open Task Manager (shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Del). Then go to the tab "Processes", sort applications by name and see if the phrase is lit in front of Steam (in the "Status" column) "Doesn't answer" .
To close the process: just right-click on it and select "Remove task" ... (see the example in the screenshot below).
Task Manager - Steam - Remove Task
Blocking Steam by a firewall or antivirus
Modern firewalls usually do not block Steam and give it access to the network. However, a lot depends on the security settings and the policies set (especially if we are not talking about the built-in Windows firewall, but about third-party products).
If you have any antivirus installed, try disabling it for a while (15-30 minutes) during the test. So that modern antiviruses make it easy to do this, for example, Avast can be disabled by clicking on its icon in the tray ...
Disable Avast antivirus for 1 hour
Then try to start Steam and check its work.
To check if Steam is not blocked in the Windows firewall (it will be active if you do not have third-party antivirus software installed) - you need to open the control panel, section "System and safety" , tab Windows Defender Firewall ... See screenshot below.
Windows Defender Firewall
Next, in the menu on the left, click on the link "Allow interaction with an application or component in the Windows Defender Firewall".
Allowing Interaction ...
A large list of applications should open in front of you: in it you need to find Steam and check if the checkboxes for access to the private and public network are ticked. Ideally, it should look the same as mine below.
Steam - is communication allowed in the firewall
Some Steam files have been deleted or damaged
In some cases, for example, during a virus infection (or incorrect installation / removal), some of the Steam files may be deleted or damaged. Of course, Steam checks the integrity of many files and re-downloads them if necessary. However, this does not work with all files ...
Therefore, if all of the above did not help, I would recommend completely uninstalling Steam and reinstalling it.
Remark: to completely remove Steam, it is best to use the special. utility IObit Uninstaller, which will help not only to clean the disk of old program files, but also the system registry (see screen below).
IObit Uninstaller - not only the program was removed, but also registry entries, temporary files, etc.
By the way, pay attention to the Steam installation file - I recommend downloading it again from the official website: //store.steampowered.com/?l=russian (look for the installation link in the upper part of the window, on the right).
Valve Corp website
Incorrect router settings
If you have a Wi-Fi router installed, please note that some settings may block the normal operation of Steam (moreover, this is stipulated in the documentation for the program).
Therefore, check the following parameters in the router settings (and disable them for the duration of the Steam test):
- Checking the connection status;
- Dynamic packet filtering;
- Quality of Service (QoS);
- UPnP.
To help! How to enter the router settings - //ocomp.info/kak-zayti-v-nastroyki-routera.html
Router settings - additional - disable UPnP
In addition, please note that to enter Steam and download content, you must have open ports (link to official requirements):
- HTTP (TCP port 80) and HTTPS (443);
- UDP ports 27015 to 27030
- TCP ports 27015 to 27030.
You can learn how to forward (or open) ports from this instruction - //ocomp.info/kak-probrosit-portyi-na-routere.html
PS
If all of the above did not help, it is possible that your account was either stolen (hacked) or blocked. Try to contact Steam support, describing in detail everything you remember about your account (username, when registered, how many games were there, which ones were purchased, etc.). There is a chance that the account will be restored (at least this was the case with one of my friends ... 😉).
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If you have solved a similar problem somehow differently - give a tip in the comments.
Good game!
👣
