15 Best Ways to Fix Steam Won’t Open Issue

Are you a Steam user who has encountered the frustrating issue of the Steam client not opening or launching? It can be disheartening to experience this problem when you’re eager to dive into your gaming library. This issue can arise due to various reasons, such as background processes still running or interference from other software. In this article, we will explore the possible solutions to help you fix this issue and get your Steam client up and running.

Steam has evolved into a reliable gaming platform, offering a multitude of services such as selling, updating, and supporting games, as well as providing the Steam Workshop for mods. However, occasional errors can still occur, such as Steam not opening or the Bootstrapper starting but then closing without loading the program. These issues can be especially annoying when you only want to spend your valuable gaming time immersed in your favorite virtual worlds. In this guide, we will discuss troubleshooting methods to resolve Steam startup problems and get you back to gaming as quickly as possible.

How To Fix Steam Won’t Open issue?

Numerous Reddit users have reported experiencing an issue with Steam not opening on their Windows PCs. Here are some posts detailing their experiences with this problem.

Steam won’t open
by u/A1CMcDetails in Steam

Steam won’t start ? [but it works]
by u/woodygfx in Steam

Steam Won’t Open Sometimes
by u/DSG_Flynx in Steam

Fixing this problem isn’t a tough job, but you must keep in mind that you have to use a powerful Windows optimization & security suite to boost your PC performance. Now, let’s dive into our fixes for you to fix this error.

Fix 1: Try to Restart Steam Client

This problem generally occurs when some of its processes run on its background and prevent you from opening it. However, to restart the Steam client, follow the steps given below.

1. First of all, we need to press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the task manager, or you can also open it by right-clicking on the Windows icon and choose the task manager from there.
2. After that, go to the Processes tab and locate the Steam-related processes.
3. When you find any related process, click on it and then press the button End task.
   
4. However, you need to repeat step 3 until each ends and then open the Steam application to see whether it is fixed.

Fix 2: Restart Your Windows 10 PC

Well! Restarting is the only solution that fixes many problems. However, you need to reboot your PC and not log in/log off your account.

1. First of all, you need to tap on the Windows icon followed by the Power icon and choose the restart option.
2. Now, wait until the reboot is completed. Once your Windows 10 system is rebooted, open the Steam app again to see if the problem is resolved or not.

Fix 3: Run Steam as Administrator

This might be helpful for you if you are also having a problem while opening the Steam application. What you need to do is run the Steam app as an Administrator. To run Steam as an administrator, follow the steps given below:

1. First of all, right-click on the Steam app icon.
2. Now, from the drop-down menu, select the option Run as Administrator.
3. That’s it. If the program is still not open, you need to try the Fix 4 mentioned below.

Fix 4: Unplug External Devices to Fix Steam Won’t Open on Windows

Steam app won’t open issue might also occur due to some new recently connected external devices while gaming. We recommend you remove them and then inspect if the problem is resolved or not. New connected external devices might be anything such as a keyboard, speakers, headphones, Pen drive, or other gadgets.

Fix 5: Try to Update Windows 10

Sometimes an older version of OS might be the main reason why most of your PC applications won’t open. So, it would be best if you check for Update manually. Well! Many users won’t even know how to check for updates manually. Don’t worry! Follow a few steps given below.

1. The first and foremost step is to tap on the Windows icon and click on the settings icon, which similarly looks like a gear.
2. Now, what you need to do is directly go to Updates & Security, then tap on the Check for Updates to check for the latest software updates manually.
3. You will finally see that it would automatically start installing if any update is available for your PC.
4. Now, reboot your Windows 10 PC after the Update is completed and see if the Steam app is opened or not.

Fix 6: Upgrade the Date & Time Settings

Yes, we know it looks quite surprising to you. Unfortunately, sometimes due to wrong Date & Time settings can be the cause of many issues on your PC in which Steam won’t open on Windows 10 included. Therefore, the most important step to fix this issue is that you properly set your Date & Time settings. If you don’t know how to do this, then follow the steps given below.

1. Open the Run box, type the “Control panel”, and press the enter button. You may also directly open the control panel from the startup menu.
2. Go to the settings options and click on the Clock & Region.
3. After that, tap on the Date & Time followed by Internet Time. Now, under internet time settings, select the option Change Settings.
   
4. Now, checkmark the box located in front of the Synchronize with an Internet time server. Then, tap on the Update now option to change the date & time and press the OK button.

Fix 7: Try to Restart Your Router

A good connection plays an important role while you’re gaming. However, sometimes, the Steam app won’t open due to a poor connection. So, it is the best option to restart your router to ensure a good connection speed. To reboot your router follow the procedure step-by-step carefully:

1. Completely shut down both your Windows 10 PC well as router. Once all the lights go off means both were completely shut down.
2. Now, wait for 3 to 5 minutes and then turn on your router. Then, wait for a while so that your router makes the connection.
3. After you notice that your internet network is good enough, then turn on your PC and open the Steam to inspect whether the problem is solved or not.

 Fix 8: Run Windows Error Fixing Tools

You can run automatic error fixing tools to solve this problem error. To run automatic error fixing tools, follow the steps given below.

1. Well! At first, you need to run the cmd as an administrator.
   
2. Now, you need to click on the yes button when you see the User Account Control window. After that, your cmd will appear with elevated privileges on your screen.
3. Then, type SFC/scannow and press the enter button. However, it would be best if you waited until the process is over.
4. After that, type chkdsk/f/r and press the enter button. Now, type the Y key and hit the enter button again.
5. Now, you need to reboot your PC. Step 4 will now start performing automatically once the reboot is completed.

That’s it. Now, check if the Steam won’t open on Windows 10 resolved or not.

Fix 9: Perform Clean Boot Of Windows

1. Open the Run box and type MSConfig, and hit the enter key.
2. Now, go to services and checkmark on the Hide all Microsoft services and disable them.
   
3. After that, you need to go to the Startup menu and directly open the task manager. Now, locate all the enabled entires.
4. Once you locate them, select each one of them and disable then close the task manager.
5. Under the system configuration window, click on Apply to save the changes you have made.
6. At last, reboot your Windows 10 PC and then try to run the Steam application.

Fix 10: Uninstall Third-Party Apps That Prevent Steam From Opening

The third-party application might interfere and prevent Steam from opening—some of the third-party application that you need to uninstall.

• VPNs
• Antivirus Software
• Anti-spyware software
• Firewalls
• IP filtering programs
• P2P Clients
• Downloading Accelerators
• FTP/Web Server Application

Uninstalling these applications isn’t so tough. You need to go to the control panel> uninstall a program. After that, you’ll see a list of programs from that list. Choose the program that you need to uninstall and uninstall it b clicking on it.

Fix 12: Recover Using System Restore

1. First of all, you need to go to windows settings. Then, click on the Update & Security, followed by the Recovery option.
2. After that, find the option Advanced Startup and tap on the Restart Now option found under it.
3. Then, choose the Troubleshoot option from the advanced startup options window.
4. Now, select the Advanced Options, and then under this, choose the option System Restore.
5. After that, you need to choose a restore point and hit the next button. Now, wait until the system rolls back.

 Fix 14: Repair Steam

1. At first, you need to create a backup for your Steam files on your PC. Then, open this PC.
2. You need to go to Windows C drive and then type Steamapps in the search bar located at the top right corner of the screen and wait till it searches for it.
3. If an identically named folder appears on the screen, right-click on it and choose the Open Folder Location option.
4. After that, when you reach the original folder location, copy the Steamapps folder and paste it into your desired location, such as local disk D, E, etc.
5. Then, run the SteamInstaller.exe. You can locate the .exe file on your PC using Cortana windows search. If you want, then you can also download it from Steam’s official Website. Now, if it asks, then agree with the file repair option.
6. Now, wait until the repair is completed and then check if the Steam Won’t Open issue is solved or not.

Fix 15: Reinstall Steam Client

1. Close the Steam client and take a backup of your game data. Then, open task manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.
2. Now, under the processes tab, end if there are any active Steam Processes.
3. After that, close the WTM and then open Control Panel.
4. Now, click on the Uninstall a Program and select Steam to uninstall. Then, wait till it gets deleted from your PC completely.
5. Once it gets uninstalled, restart your Windows 10 PC.
6. From Steam’s official Website, download the Steam installer. Once it is downloaded, run it and follow the on-screen instruction to install it on your PC.
7. Now, previously the Steamapps folder that you backed up use it to restore your gaming data. Simply by copy-pasting it.
8. Lastly, open the Steam application to check if Steam Won’t Open issue fixed or not.

Conclusion

These are some top fixes that we have for you to fix this issue. We recommend you first make a backup before applying any of the above methods. And in case none of them helps, then you can reinstall a fresh copy of the Steam client as it will clear all the problem.