How To Fix Steam Won’t Open On Windows 10

Ever since the launch of the new version of Windows, Windows 10, there were talks about it all around the world. Due to its unique and outstanding features, the windows 10 was the new thing in the market and thus gained popularity in no time.

However, like all the latest updates and version, there comes a downside of few bugs and errors, one such bug in windows 10 is “steam won’t open.”

It is quite apparent how frustrating it can be not being able to play games on your computer. But, you are not alone in this. Many people worldwide logged the same complaint of Steam failing to launch when they updated their windows.

Initially, it was reported that this problem was a developer’s bug as they didn’t optimize the games to be run on the windows.

What actually happens is, when you run steam.exe in admin mode, a window pops up notifying you that Steam is being updated. And, after that, it shows a verifying package and updating. Shortly after the updating is completed, the steam icon appears and then suddenly steam crashes without any error.

How To Fix Steam Won’t Open Problem?

The actual underlying reasons haven’t been discovered yet. However, there are few assumptions that what could go wrong, it is whether some interference in the Steam or there are few files in your system that are corrupted. It was noticed that overloaded servers might be the culprit as well.

Well, whatever the reasons are, there is no such thing that is unsolvable. We have jotted down a bunch of methods that will make your game applications up and running just like you want it.

Fix 1: Update Windows

What usually happens is, if any issue prevails collectively with the update of any software, the developers take notice of that and fix the problem by making a newer update.

Therefore, updating your windows to the newest version available is the easiest yet effective method to fix the steam problem.

1. Search for windows update in your search bar.
2. Select “Check for updates” from the searched options.
3. Once the window update windows pop up, click “check for updates” button.
4. It will take a few minutes to check the availability of the new version. If there is any update available, install and reboot your system.

Updating windows will immediately solve your problem, and you can steam your applications. However, if your windows are up to date, don’t worry and move to the next method.

Fix 2: Update Graphics Driver And Restart Steam

Sometimes graphics drivers are the one causing multiple errors in the windows. Therefore, it is necessary to update outdated graphic drivers or remove corrupted ones to make your experience on windows worthwhile.

To update the graphics driver on your PC, follow these steps:

1. Search for the “devices manager” in the search bar.
2. Select the device manager application from the searched options.
3. Locate the display adapters from the list of drivers, and expand that tab.
4. Right-click the graphic card and select “Update Driver Software” from the drop-down menu.
5. After the update windows open, select “Search automatically for updated driver software.” This will install the available updated driver for your graphic card automatically.
6. Once the installation is complete, open the task manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Dlt keys at the same time.
7. In the task manager, open “more details.”
8. Locate the steam.exe file from the list, right-click it and select “end task” from the menu to completely close the steam application.
9. Relaunch the Steam again.

Fix 3: Fix The PC’s Date And Time

Do you know the gaming applications collect your time and date data once you launch them? Yes, therefore correct date and time on PC are significant to make your Steam work properly.

This might seem very stupid to you. However, this hack has made many people’s steam error go away.

To correct your time and date on your PC, follow the following steps:

1. Press Windows + R key to launch the Run windows on your system.
2. Type control panel on the run windows and press enter.
3. Once the control panel windows open, locate the Clock & Region option and select it.
4. Click the Date & Time option.
5. A Date & Time windows will pop up, select the “Internet Time” tab, and choose “Change Settings…”
6. Check the option “Synchronize with an Internet time server” and select “update now” and then “OK.”

Fix 4: Remove External Devices

Extra external devices can be messing up your Steam. Therefore, it is suggested to remove any additional USBs, hard drives, keyboards, printers, and mouse.

It is even better to remove all the external devices else mouse and try accessing the Steam again.

Fix 5: Restart Steam Client

Sometimes, Steam keeps running some of its applications in the background that interferes when you actually launch the Steam itself. However, to make steam launch without any error, it is recommended to exit all already-reading steam applications.

You can quickly end the processes from the taskbar and restart the Steam client. If you are unaware of how to do it, no problem! Follow these steps to end the background running steam apps:

1. Launch the Task Manager by pressing Alt+Ctrl+Dlt keys at the same time.
2. In the processes tab, locate for all Steam-related applications.
3. If there are any, right-click them and select “end task” for each such that no steam applications are present in the list.
4. Close the task manager, and relaunch the steam application again.

Fix 6: Restart Router

This unusual tweak will make your Steam running. Here is how to do this simple fix:

1. Firstly, turn off/shutdown your PC.
2. Now, go to your router and turn it off from the power button. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
3. Restart your router and wait a few minutes till it is working completely fine.
4. Turn on your PC and launch the Steam application.

Fix 7: Delete Steam AppCache

AppCache might be containing some corrupt files that hinder the launch of Steam. You can delete the AppCache and relaunch your Steam, it will take a few minutes to install the necessary data, and it will be up and running as it should.

Here is how you can remove AppCache:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows+R key simultaneously.
2. In the dialog box, type this C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam Steam and press enter. If you have installed Steam at some other place than the above-mentioned default directory, navigate to that folder.
3. Locate the folder named “appcache” in the directory.
4. Copy that folder on your desktop, and delete it from the directory.
5. Once it is removed, relaunch the Steam application, and it is recommended to “run it as administrator.”

Fix 8: Use “Steam://flushconfig” Command

This command will help you clear all your local download cache and this in return will make your steam work properly. Follow these steps to use this command:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows+R key at the same time.
2. Once the Run windows pop up, type steam://flushconfig command in the dialog box and press enter.
3. A window will open, asking you the confirmation to clear the local download cache. Click OK.

After clearing the cache, you can relaunch the steam app and enjoy your favorite game without any hindrance!

Fix 9: Fix Hard Drive Errors

Hard drives get corrupt after long usage. However, checking the drive time to time is recommended for all windows users. But, if you are facing the steam problem, it is a necessity!

1. Firstly, go to “This PC” from taskbar or search bar.
2. Right-click the C drive and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
3. Go to the “Tools” tab and click the “Check” button.

This will check your hard drive for any possible error that might be occurring. Once the errors are detected, you can easily fix them.

Fix 10: Run Steam In Compatibility Mode

If you are still trying your luck until this method, now is the right time you try this fix. Launch Your Steam in Compatibility mode to play games, and here is how you can do that:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows+R button simultaneously.
2. Once it opens, type C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam and press enter.
3. Search for the folder named “SteamApps” in this directory and open it.
4. In this folder, locate another folder named “Common.” This folder contains all the games that are installed in your computer.
5. Right-click the game you want to play, and click the “properties” from the drop-down menu.
6. Select the “Compatibility” tab and check the “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”
7. From the drop-down menu, select “Windows 8” and apply the changes.
8. Now, close this window and relaunch the Steam to run your game.

Fix 11: Disable Third-Party Antivirus

Steam won’t run properly due to several third party applications. The usual programs that might cause interference can be:

• VPNs
• Firewalls
• Antivirus
• P2P clients
• Download accelerators
• Web server applications
• Anti-spyware software

So, if you have recently installed any of the above-mentioned software, we recommend you completely deleting it or disabling it temporarily.

1. Search for the “Control Panel” in the search bar.
2. Go to “Uninstall a program” from the given options.
3. From the given list, you can search for the third-party app that you want to install. On a side note, if you don’t remember the name or you want to see which application you recently installed, sort the list of the programs by date. In this way, it will be easier for you to identify the application that might be causing the problem.
4. Click uninstall after selecting the application.
5. Relaunch the Steam again.

By uninstalling the protection apps, we aren’t trying to imply that you should never use one. It is more than important to secure your computer. However, you should use windows defender or make Steam as an exception in your protection apps.

Fix 12: Overclocking Problem

People use overclocking for good reasons such as speeding the performance of the system. However, if you are facing the Steam error, it is better to disable it and find an alternative to it.

1. Click the windows icon on the bottom left of your system.
2. Select the gear icon located right above the windows icon to launch settings.
3. Select Update & Security from the settings.
4. Once the windows pop up, select the button “Restart Now.”
5. Now, your computer will reboot but with an advanced startup. Now go to “Troubleshoot” option and then select “Advanced Options.”
6. Then select “UEFI Firmware Settings” and then click “Restart.”
7. After your computer restarts, go to the “Advanced” tab and turn off the overlocking option from there.
8. Now, you need to save changes by pressing f10 and reboot your computer again.

Fix 13: Connect To Different Network

Some internet providers save bandwidth. If that is the case, your Steam won’t open. Therefore, try using any other network, preferably by some other internet provider.

If this makes your steam problem go away, we suggest to temporarily or permanently change your internet.

Fix 14: Perform Clean Boot

Clean Boot identifies what is interfering in your system and reboots your computer with only necessary applications. So, if any application is bugging your Steam, the clean Boot will surely block it for now.

1. Log in to the PC as an administrator.
2. Once you have logged in, run dialog box by pressing Windows+R key.
3. Type MSConfig in the dialog box and press OK.
4. Once the configuration window opens, go to the services tab.
5. Check the “Hide all Microsoft services” button at the bottom and disable the rest of the services by clicking the “Disable all.”
6. Now, go to the startup tab and select “Open task manager.”
7. In the startup tab, disable each application one by one and once you are finished close the task manager.
8. You will be back at configuration windows, apply the changes and click OK.
9. Now reboot your computer and launch the Steam again.

Fix 15: Reinstall Steam

Before uninstalling Steam, backup your game files. Once you are done backing up, uninstall the steam control panel.

Then restart your computer, and go to Steam website and reinstall the latest version of the Steam. Follow the on-screen instructions for the installation and copy your backup back to the Steam folder.

This method will remove all the corrupted files if any. And, make your steam work again.