It can be frustrating when you’re eager to play your favorite game but can’t even log in to your Steam account. But don’t worry, in this article, I will provide a range of practical solutions to address Steam sign-in errors, covering basic troubleshooting techniques to more advanced ones. So let’s dive in and explore all the ways to fix Steam sign-in problems.
Table of Contents
Before We Start
Here’s a list of simple solutions I would like you to try first. Later, you can move on to more advanced troubleshooting methods.
- Check your internet connection.
- Restart your computer.
- Check if Steam is undergoing maintenance or if there is any ongoing server outage.
- Your Steam account got banned due to prohibited activities like piracy, fraud, buying or selling an account, abuse, and more.
- Re-install Steam.
- Disable interfering programs like VPN apps, IP filtering/blocking programs, Firewalls & Security applications, and more.
- After too many failed sign-in attempts or frequent password changes, you must wait for a cooldown period before trying to sign in again to your Steam account.
1. Ensure You’re Using Username
Sometimes it’s easy to accidentally use your email address or real name instead of your username. To login to Steam, try entering your username in the Account Name field. You can find your username in your Steam installation folder if you’ve forgotten it. In my case, it’s this path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\configNext, open the config.vdf file in Notepad and locate the section labeled Accounts. Below that, you will find your Steam username.
Try to sign in to Steam using your username to see if this resolves the issue.
2. Switch to a Different IP Address
The Steam login issue may be related to your current IP address. In that case, you can use a VPN, switch to an ethernet connection, or use a mobile hotspot. Once you’re signed in, you can return to your preferred internet connection mode. This has personally worked for me as well when I switched to a different Wi-Fi network.
3. Sync Your Date and Time
Sometimes the problem could be with your computer’s date and time which could lead to a hard time signing in to Steam. Therefore I would recommend you sync your clock. For that, navigate to Settings (Windows Key + I) > Time & language > Date & time and click the Sync now button.
4. Deactivate Steam Guard Authenticator
Note: If you don’t have 2FA enabled for your Steam account, skip this section.
Removing the 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) from your Steam account may fix the log-in issue. Many users on forums reported success after they did that. It’s worth giving it a shot.
To remove 2FA from your Steam account, follow the below steps:
1. Open the Steam mobile app on your phone and navigate to the Steam Guard section on the bottom bar.
2. Tap on Settings (gear icon) in the bottom-right corner and select the Remove Authenticator option from the pop-up.
3. Tap the Remove Authenticator button and Re-confirm your decision by tapping the Remove button.
4. After that, hit the Done button.
You successfully signed in to your Steam account, you can later reinstate 2FA on your account.
5. Reset Steam Password
Have you tried resetting your Steam password? I know it’s a hassle to reset and remember it again, but trust me, it’s worth doing. Many users were able to sign back into their Steam accounts using this method. So here’s a step-by-step process:
1. In the Steam app, click Help, I can’t sign in.
2. Select I forgot my Steam Account name or password.
3. Enter your email associated with your Steam account and click Search.
4. Click Email an account verification code… option.
5. Check your email, click Resume Recovery, and follow the link to reset your password.
Re-open the Steam app and try to log in with your new password. It should fix the issue.
6. Delete Steam Package Files
I discovered that several users could successfully sign in to their Steam account after deleting the Steam package files. Therefore, it might be worth trying to check if that fixes the Steam login issue on your device.
To delete the Steam package files, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\package. After that, use the Ctrl + A keyboard shortcut to select all files and hit the Delete button.
7. Delete Steam Cache Files
Steam too stores cache in its directory to increase the app’s performance. However, sometimes a missing or corrupted cache can do more harm than good. So, to fix login issues, you might want to clear the app data.
For that, open File Explorer and navigate to this path:
C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Steam Next, select all the folders using Ctrl + A keyboard shortcut and hit the Delete button.
Replace the UserName with your username account on your Windows PC.
A few of the folders will be hidden. To unhide them click on the View button in the top toolbar, select the Show option from the dropdown menu, and then enable Hidden items.
If Steam is running in the background, close it by clicking the arrow icon in the taskbar, then right-click on the Steam app and select the Exit option.
Also Read: Here’s what happens when you clear the Steam download cache.
8. Try to Log in Using the Steam Mobile App
If you already have a Steam app on your phone, you can use it to sign in to your Steam desktop app. Here’s how:
1. Open the Steam mobile app and proceed to the Steam Guard section.
2. Tap on the Scan a QR code button and point your camera toward the QR code (Sign-in screen of Steam desktop).
3. When the scan is completed, hit the Sign in to Steam button and you will be logged in to your Steam account.
9. Scan for Malware
If your PC has fallen victim to malware, it’s likely causing trouble signing in to Steam, as viruses can disrupt the functioning of applications. I would recommend using reliable anti-malware software to protect your PC. Alternatively, you can use the free built-in malware scanner app in Windows, known as Windows Security.
Don’t Get Steamed Up
If you are still not able to log in to your Steam account using the above methods, then the only option left for you is to contact Steam support. I am sure if you have violated none of Steam’s T&C, their team will help you fix your Steam login issue.
