Steam is the most popular game client for PCs, and it is available for Linux, Windows, and macOS, unlike any other major gaming platform.
While the Steam client has improved thoroughly over the years, it is still annoying to encounter any form of error that prevents you from launching the game.
So, to help you conveniently enjoy the game you want to play, here, we mention some of the best ways to tackle and fix Steam game errors.
The Trouble with Steam: Why?
Whether you have the latest and greatest computer, or an ancient one, Steam game errors will always be there.
It depends on various factors. Sometimes it is just the game that needs a patch to work on some computer systems, or something’s wrong on your side.
Some of the most common problems leading to Steam game errors include:
- Virus affecting your computer.
- Ransomware locking your files.
- Accidentally, deleting some files.
- A broken update due to network issues.
- Problems with your hard drive.
- Outdated files for the game.
- VPN connection.
- Server issues.
- Overclocking your computer.
- Firewall/antivirus conflicts.
There can be a few more additions, but these are the most prevalent causes that introduce errors to your Steam games.
For instance, Bitdefender (one of the best antivirus) conflicted with Rainbow Six Siege (multiplayer game) and did not let it launch via Steam.
Once I disabled the antivirus, I could play the game without hiccups. So, you need to know some standard troubleshooting methods to handle all kinds of issues, and some of them are:
Note: For every method that does not involve restarting your computer, you should always restart Steam as well.
Restart the Computer
Often the last resort for anything, but you should try it out first. Simply restart your computer to clear any system cache or reset any of the troubled configurations.
The easiest method for some of the best results, of course!
Disable Antivirus and Restart the Game
It is usually harmless antivirus that conflicts with the game.
Some might wonder if it was a pirated game that I was trying to launch using the Steam client. But, that was not the case, and I do not have pirated software/games that could lead to a problem.
Also, this is one of the most simple fixes to resolve the issue. If you disable your antivirus and the game works, that should save you a lot of time!
Re-install Steam
Note that we are not asking you to uninstall Steam. If you uninstall Steam, you may lose your game files.
So, you can download the Steam installer from its official website and re-install it to see if it resolves the issues.
Verify Integrity of Game Files
If your game crashes too frequently, you might have a file missing from your game.
It would help if you verified that the game’s files are intact and haven’t been modified/affected. This method just doesn’t verify the game files available on your computer but also downloads the missing files to add what’s required to play the game.
You can head to the game listed in the Steam library, right-click on it to view its properties, and then find the option in the screenshot above to proceed.
Note that this isn’t one of the quickest ways, so you might want to wait a bit (depending on the performance of your hard drive/SSD and network).
Update OS and Drivers
It is always recommended to keep your operating system and drivers up-to-date. While there are chances to encounter bugs in newer versions, if you have game errors, you should proceed with every system software update.
Ensuring the latest operating system version and drivers helps you fix numerous known issues.
Additionally, it is useful for the security and reliability of your computer.
Disable Overclocking
Overclocking helps you squeeze more performance out of your hardware components like CPU, GPU, and RAM.
Any kind of overclocking comes with its hiccups. Even if you are an expert at overclocking, there will be programs and games that will fail to work with an overclocked system.
So, if you overclocked your system, consider tuning it to the stock settings and re-launch the game to see if it works.
Check for Network Issues
You end up checking everything, and the root cause could be just the network.
Sometimes due to DNS issues, games do not connect to their servers. You can resolve this by changing the DNS on your system or by trying any of the VPNs to see if it connects.
If it works after changing the DNS or using a VPN, you know what to do the next time.
Furthermore, if it still does not work, you might want to restart your network services and check again once.
Check for Program Conflicts
Always be cautious about the background running applications when you launch a game.
It does not matter whether your system can handle multitasking, sometimes, more programs lead to conflicts with one another.
So, if you have any unnecessary programs active in the background, you might want to close them first to check if the issues go away.
Check Hard Drive Health
Random game crashes and errors in Steam can also be a sign of your hard drive falling apart.
You can easily check your hard drive’s health using software utilities.
Verify System Resource Usage
With more multitasking capabilities and improved functionalities in the Windows operating system, memory usage is higher than ever.
So, the game can stop working because of insufficient memory as well.
You can check the resource usage when launching the game using the task manager or a benchmark tool.
Troubleshooting Steam to Experience the Massive Game Library
Steam features a vast number of games that you can play for free, purchase, and try. Every PC gamer must have used Steam as a gaming platform. It is even suitable for a few software tools.
Of course, things aren’t always in favor of Steam, so with the troubleshooting methods, you should be able to enjoy all the Steam games without any hassle. Not just Steam, most of these methods should also apply to other issues that you encounter with any other gaming clients on PC.
