How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

If you’re having trouble opening Steam on your Windows 10 computer, you’re not alone. This guide will help you fix the problem so you can get back to playing your favorite games. We’ll show you some easy steps to try and solve the issue, making it simple for you to get Steam working again. 

How to Fix Steam Not Opening Windows 10

How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

Here are the reasons why Windows refuses OS to launch Steam client:

  • Damaged installation files
  • Outdated Windows update
  • Server down
  • Damaged system files
  • Network connectivity settings

If Steam app won’t open, then firstly you should check if Steam servers are down at the moment. Go to IsItDownRightNow website and check if Steam servers are running or not.

Check Is It Down Right Now

If the servers are not down then, follow the solutions listed in this guide to fix the problem.

Note: Make sure to create a system restore point just as a backup.

Method 1: Run Steam as Administrator

Running an app as an administrator would fix many issues as this would provide all the required permissions needed for the app. Follow the below steps to open Steam as an administrator:

1. Press the Windows key and type Steam, click the Run as administrator option.

search steam and select run as administrator

2. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

Check if Steam not opening Windows 10 issue is fixed. If it is, enable this option as follows:

1. Navigate to C: > Program Files(x86) > Steam or the directory where Steam is installed.

2. Right-click steam.exe & select Properties, as depicted below.

Right-click on steam.exe file and select Properties from the drop-down menu

3. Switch to the Compatibility tab and check the box marked Run this program as an administrator shown highlighted.

Now, check the box Run this program as an administrator

4. Click Apply > OK to save these changes.

Also Read: Change Compatibility Mode for Apps in Windows 10

Method 2: Troubleshoot Internet Connections

Steam allows you to play offline games even if you have no internet connection. But a few settings in network connectivity may restrict the app from opening resulting in Steam not opening on Windows 10 issue:

1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to launch Settings.

2. Click on the Update & Security tile, as shown.

Update and Security

3. Go to Troubleshoot menu from the left pane.

4. Select Internet Connections and click on the Run the troubleshooter button as highlighted below.

run the troubleshooter for Internet Connections in Troubleshoot Settings. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

5. Choose the Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet option.

Choose the Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet option.

6. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect problems.

This will start diagnosing the issue

7. Follow on-screen instructions to fix the issue. Once the process is complete, restart your PC.

Method 3: Sync Date & Time

An incorrect configuration of date and time settings may also result in Steam app won’t open issue. Follow the below steps to correct it:

1. Right-click on the time and date section on the Taskbar.

right click on time and date on the Taskbar

2. Select the Adjust date/time option from the list.

Choose Adjust date or time. How To Fix Error 0x80070002 Windows 10

3. Switch On the toggle for the given options:

  • Set time automatically
  • Set time zone automatically

Toggle on the options Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.

Also Read: Fix Steam Error Code e502 l3 in Windows 10

Method 4: Restart Steam Process

Even after closing the Steam client on your computer, the app might still be running in the background. Hence, follow the given steps to disable Steam processes to fix Steam not opening on Windows 10 issue:

1. Hit the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open Task Manager.

2. Select the Steam app process and click on End task button, shown highlighted.

Choose the Steam app from the list and click End task, as shown below. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3. Now, restart your PC and run the Steam app as administrator.

Method 5: Allow Steam Through Windows Firewall

Any changes or conflicts with the firewall settings might also cause this issue. Thus, follow the below steps to add Steam as an exception in Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the Windows Search bar, and click Open.

Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar

2. Set View by: > Large icons and click on Windows Defender Firewall to continue.

set View by to Large icons and click on Windows Defender Firewall to continue. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3. Next, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

In the popup window, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. How to Fix Roblox Error 279

4A. Search and allow Steam through the Firewall by ticking the checkboxes marked Private and Public.

check both Public and Private option for Steam in Windows Defender Firewall Allowed apps menu

4B. Alternatively, you can click on Change Settings, then Allow another app… button to browse and add the Steam app to the list. Then, check the boxes corresponding to it.

5. Finally, click OK to save the changes. Now, open the Steam app as administrator and check if the issue of fixed.

Also Read: How to Disable Windows 10 Firewall

Method 6: Delete AppCache Folder

This folder contains cache information about the games and applications. Deleting it will give the app a hard refresh.

Note: Once you launch the Steam app, the app cache will be created automatically.

1. Press Windows + E keys together to open File Explorer

2. Navigate to the location where you installed Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam

Note: If you are not sure, read our guide: Where are Steam Games installed? here.

Navigate to the path where steam is installed. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3. Right-click on the appcache folder and choose the Delete option as shown.

Right click on the appcache folder and choose Delete.

4. Now, restart your PC and launch Steam as administrator again.

Also Read: How to Play Steam Games from Kodi

Method 7: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupt operating system files may also cause Steam app won’t open issue on your device. Windows has an in-built tool to repair system files viz SFC & DISM which can be run as explained below:

1. Hit the Windows key, type Command Prompt and click on Run as administrator.

Open Start menu, type Command Prompt and click on Run as administrator on the right pane.

2. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter key to run System File Checker scan.

Type the below command line and hit Enter to execute it. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

Note: A system scan will be initiated and it will take a couple of minutes to finish. Meanwhile, you can continue performing other activities but be mindful of not accidentally closing the window.

After completing the scan, it will show either of these messages:

  • Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  • Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
  • Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  • Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

4. Once the scan is finished, restart your PC.

5. Again, launch Command Prompt as administrator and execute the given commands one after the other:

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 properly.

scan health command in Command Prompt

Method 8: Repair Steam Client

Alternately, use Windows PowerShell to repair Steam client as follows:

1. Press the Windows key, type windows powershell and click on Run as administrator.

Start menu search results for Windows PowerShell

2. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

3. Type the following command and hit Enter key.

“C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair

Note: If your Steam file is placed in another location, you need to enter that directory instead. Read our guide: Where are Steam Games installed? here.

Type the following command and hit enter

4. Once the repair completed message is displayed, restart your PC.

Also Read: How to Change Steam Profile Picture

Method 9: Free-Up Disk Space

Since Steam is an online tool, it needs free disk space to function perfectly. You can easily free up the disk without uninstalling third-party apps and possibly, fix Steam not working issue.

1. Launch File Explorer and go to This PC.

click on This PC in the File Explorer

2. Here, right-click on the drive (C:) where Steam is installed and select Properties as depicted.

Right click on Local disk C and choose Properties.

3. In the General tab, click on the Disk Cleanup button.

Click Disk Cleanup in the General tab. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

4. A prompt will appear and The Disk Cleanup will calculate the amount of space that can be made free.

A prompt will appear and The Disk Cleanup will calculate the amount of space that can be made free.

5. Check the box for all desired items under Files to delete: and click Clean up system files.

Check the box for all items under Files to delete and click Clean up system files.

6. Once the scanning is complete, again check the boxes for all the chosen items and click on OK.

Once the scanning is complete, again check the boxes for all the items.Click OK. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

7. Finally, click on the Delete Files button in the confirmation prompt.

Click Delete Files in the new pop-up appeared.

7. Restart your PC. To clean up additional space, read 10 Ways to Free up Hard Disk Space.

Method 10: Update Windows

Updating Windows would greatly help in fixing most issues.

1. Navigate to Windows Security > Update & Security as earlier.

Update and Security

2. In the Windows Update tab, click on Check for updates button.

Click on Check for updates button. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3A. If a new update is available, then click Install Now and restart your PC.

Click on install now to download the available updates

3B. Otherwise, if the Windows is up-to-date, then it will show You’re up to date message.

windows update you're up to date message. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

Also Read: How to Add Microsoft Games to Steam

Method 11: Uninstall Conflicting Apps

A recently installed software on your device may also cause this issue. Follow the below steps to uninstall recent software that is creating the issue of Steam not opening in Windows 10:

1. Hit the Windows key, type apps and features, and click on Open

type apps and features and click on Open in Windows 10 search bar

2. Here, click on Sort by drop-down and choose Install date as depicted below.

in the apps and features window set Sort to Install date for the list of apps. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3. Click on the recent software installed (e.g. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio) and select Uninstall option, as depicted below.

Locate and click the recent software installed and click Uninstall.

4. Again click on Uninstall to confirm.

5. Repeat the same for all such apps and Restart your PC.

Method 12: Reinstall Steam Client

Reinstalling the Steam app might resolve the Steam not opening on Windows 10 issue if the app isn’t working normally. The latest version of the app gets installed while reinstalling, which would greatly improve its performance.

1. Launch Apps & features from the Windows search bar as shown.

type apps and features and click on Open in Windows 10 search bar

2. Select Steam and click on the Uninstall button shown highlighted.

click on Steam and select Uninstall. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

3. Again, click on Uninstall to confirm.

4. In the Steam Uninstall window, click on Uninstall to remove Steam.

Now, confirm the prompt by clicking on Uninstall.

5. Then, restart your Windows PC.

6. Download the latest version of Steam from your web browser, as shown.

Click INSTALL STEAM to download the installation file. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

7. After downloading, run the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file by double-clicking on it.

8. In the Steam Setup wizard, click on the Next button.

Here, click on the Next button. steam repair tool. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

9. Choose the Destination folder by using the Browse… option or keep the default option. Then, click on Install, as depicted below.

Now, choose the destination folder by using the Browse… option and click on Install. steam repair tool

10. Wait for the installation to be completed and click on Finish, as shown.

Wait for the installation to be completed and click on Finish. How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Windows 10

Q1. Will updating graphic drivers solve the issue of Steam app won’t open?

Ans. Yes, updating the graphic drivers may also resolve your Steam not opening Windows 10 issue.

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We hope that this guide would have helped you to fix Steam not opening Windows 10 issue. Let us know which method worked for you. Feel free to drop your queries and suggestions in the comment section below.

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