If the Steam client does not start, there can be various reasons for this. In most cases, the problem can be solved without losing any game data.
Steam no longer starts: These are the reasons
If the Steam client no longer starts, you should first try the following solutions:
- General error: Restart your computer. This often solves the problem.
- Corrupted cache: You will find a cache folder in the Steam installation directory, which in rare cases can be corrupted. Since this only contains temporary files, you can safely delete the contents. By default, the path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\appcache.
- Missing rights: If missing permissions prevent Steam from starting, you must start Steam on your PC as an administrator. To do this, right-click on steam.exe and select Run as administrator out of.
- System requirements not met: Steam now only supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, but no longer supports Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you are using one of these versions of Windows, Steam may no longer start. If possible, you should switch to a newer version of the operating system.
- Problem with background applications: The problem may also be caused by another program running on your PC, such as antivirus programs or firewalls, so you should create exception rules for these in Steam. Other security tools or VPN software can also affect how Steam works.
- Operating system or driver out of date: Make sure your Windows installation is up to date and download any available updates. Also, update your graphics card drivers, as outdated or faulty graphics drivers can cause issues with Steam launching.
Steam doesn’t work: These are other causes
There can be many other reasons why Steam may stop working, so you should also try these approaches:
- Missing internet connection: Since Steam requires an Internet connection for most functions and also for downloading updates, your PC should have access to the Internet.
- System overclocked: If you have overclocked your PC in the past, you should undo the changes and check whether Steam then starts properly again.
- Hard drive error: Steam startup problems can be caused by errors on the hard drive. You can check the drive by right-clicking it in Explorer and then Properties > Tools > Error Checking: Check > Scan Drive You can also use chkdsk.
- RAM faulty: Similarly, damage to the RAM can also prevent Steam from starting. Press (Win) + (R) and run the command mdsched Then click Restart now and check for problems. Wait for the result of the check. If errors are found, you may need to replace the RAM.
- Steam installation faulty: If Steam still won't start, you can reinstall the software. You may then need to re-download any games you've already downloaded from the Internet.
Steam still won't start: Force reload program data
There is another alternative to reinstalling Steam: you can try deleting Steam's program data. This will automatically reload it the next time you start it. However, please note that this is not an official troubleshooting method and may cause further problems.
- Go to the Steam installation directory. By default this is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.
- Delete all files and folders except the steam.exe and the folder steamapps.
- If you delete the steamapps folder, all downloaded games will be removed from your hard drive.
- Now start Steam. All necessary files will be downloaded again.