What to Do if You Can't Connect to Steam Servers

PDF download Download Article
More troubleshooting steps to fix Steam server connection errors
PDF download Download Article

Are you encountering the "Error communicating with Steam servers" error message? Many factors can cause this message, from offline Steam servers to a corrupted cache in your client. But you can easily fix the error regardless of the cause. Follow these troubleshooting steps to get rid of that message.

The Most Common Fix for the Steam Server Error

Delete the Cache in Settings/Preferences > Downloads > Clear Cache. You can also try restarting Steam or deleting old files that can be corrupted in your Steam folder. Check for programs that might prevent Steam from communicating with its servers.

1

Check your ISP.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A few examples are 012.net, Bluewin, Dutch Telecom, ISPFree, and Micronet Broadband. [1]
    • If you have any of these providers and want to use Steam, see if there's another ISP in your area to switch to .
    2. Advertisement
2

Delete the cache.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you clear the cache, you'll see the Store loading like normal. Go to Settings/Preferences > Downloads > Clear cache . [2]
    • On Mac, you'll see "Preferences" instead of "Settings" when you click "Steam" from the menu along the top of the window.
3

Restart Steam.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Temporary glitches can prevent Steam from loading properly, so closing it and opening it again can fix the error. To completely close the platform , go to Steam > Exit . Just make sure Steam still isn't running in the background with Activity Monitor or Task Manager , then open Steam again.
    • If this happens whenever Steam auto-starts whenever you turn on your computer, disable that feature so you manually open Steam.
    • If you're using a Steam Deck, you'll need to restart your device instead. Press and hold the Power button for 4(LCD) or 7(OLED) seconds to prompt the restart.
    2. Advertisement
4

Repair corrupted Steam files.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Follow these steps to delete all your old files so you can make room for updated files.
    • You will lose any custom mods or custom content doing this.
    • Close Steam and go to your Steam library. ( C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam is the default for Windows, Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam is default for Mac).
    • Delete everything inside the Steam folder except "steamapps" and the executable program.
    • Relaunch Steam to see if the error is resolved.
5

Check for interfering programs and apps.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Anti-virus software, VPNs, P2P Clients and File Sharing software, Firewalls, and security applications are installed on your computer to prevent fraudulent or malicious activity, but these can also prevent your Steam client from accessing the servers.
    • Check if any of them are preventing Steam from connecting to its servers, then turn it off or allow Steam to continue working to solve the "Error Communicating" issue. [3]
    2. Advertisement
6

Check server status.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://steamstat.us/ and make sure the servers are up before you start troubleshooting.
    • The best option is to wait for the servers to come back online.
7

Change Download Region

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Error-Communicating-with-Steam-Servers-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the servers are down in your area, changing the download region should let you download games using a different server.
    • Go to Settings/Preferences > Downloads > Download Region . Pick a close region, then try playing/installing your game again. [4]
    • On Mac, you'll see "Preferences" instead of "Settings" when you click "Steam" from the menu along the top of the window.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Speed Up Steam Downloads
      See a Friend’s Wishlist on Steam Using Desktop or Mobile Apps and the Web
      How to
      Turn Off Friend Notifications and Overlay on Steam
      35 of the Coolest & Most Popular Content Warning Face Designs to Try
      How to
      Earn and Use Steam Points
      How to
      Contact Steam Support
      A Detailed Guide to Getting Your Game on Steam
      How to
      Uninstall Steam
      How to
      Use Steam Family Sharing & the Steam Families Beta
      How to
      Set a Custom Background for Your Steam Profile (2021)
      How to
      Delete Steam Workshop Mods
      How to
      Take a Screenshot in a Steam Game
      A Complete Guide to Fixing the Steam Error E87
      2 Easy Ways to Check Your Transaction History in Steam
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/669A-2F68-D1D1-A5EC
      2. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/29A6-F529-F956-6292
      3. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1F39-DCB4-FF28-5748
      4. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4B5B-79DC-EF45-15DC

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,416 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement