How to Turn Steam Online

Download Article
Download Article

Steam allows you to play games offline at any time without being connected to the Internet. When you’re ready to access your online Steam community, you can do so directly through the Steam menu on Windows, or by editing your Steam registry file in Finder on Mac OS X.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Enabling Online Mode in Windows

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Steam will restart, go online, and exit offline mode. [2]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Enabling Online Mode on Mac OS X

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Steam will restart, go online, and exit offline mode.
    • Continue with the following steps if Steam does not go online.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    vdf” using TextEdit.
  12. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  13. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  14. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  15. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  16. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  17. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-21-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-21-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Turn-Steam-Online-Step-21-Version-2.jpg\/aid5444492-v4-728px-Turn-Steam-Online-Step-21-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” Steam will exit offline mode, and go online. [3]
    18. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I have to be connected to the internet in order to change my Steam profile from online to offline?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you do; otherwise it won't connect to the online client. If it doesn't connect, check your router or internet connection.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How do I update Steam without actually going online? because I apparently cannot go on Steam without updating it. And I'm not online. Is there any way to fix this issue?
    ture znipp
    Community Answer
    Of course you can't update it, because you aren't online. What you can do is connect to the internet, update Steam, and then display your status as "Offline", even while connected to the internet.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • Question
    I have a problem where it says that I'm not online, even though I am. What do I do?
    Vivienne Klein
    Community Answer
    Restart Steam. It happens to other people often too. If you just log out quickly or just exit the app, then it will most likely say you are back online again. You also have to be connected to the internet to play online.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • On Mac computers, go to "Accounts" and under Accounts click on "Go Online" To go offline, do the same thing except you will click "Go Offline"
        Thanks


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to Speed Up Steam Downloads
      How to
      Contact Steam Support
      A Detailed Guide to Getting Your Game on Steam
      How to Earn and Use Steam Points
      Step-by-Step Guide: Play Xbox Game Pass Games on Steam Deck
      How to Set a Custom Background for Your Steam Profile (2021)
      How to
      Delete Steam Workshop Mods
      How to Turn Off Friend Notifications and Overlay on Steam
      How to
      Uninstall Steam
      See a Friend’s Wishlist on Steam Using Desktop or Mobile Apps and the Web
      3 Easy Ways to Redeem a Steam Wallet Code or Gift Card
      How to Take a Screenshot in a Steam Game
      6 Quick and Easy Ways to Fix a Steam Deck Stuck on the Logo Screen
      How to Move Steam Games to Another Hard Drive
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEz6vFjSrIk
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuuAdX_Kvm8
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nJvwKdrNc

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 157,775 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement