Computer games have long been considered the main engine of computer industry progress. For the first time, the great Doom (end of 1993) sent users a new thing to the store, followed by Half-Life (November 1998), FarCry (March 2004) and Crysis (November 2007). But the idea that money can be earned not only by selling games, but also by distributing them, has appeared relatively recently. September 12, 2003 Valve released gin from a bottle and opened access to the Steam service. However, despite the numerous and obvious advantages, he is still plagued by many technical problems: the client’s inoperability, a license rally, spontaneous account lockout and many others. But the most unpleasant is the Steam network connection error, when the user is completely cut off from the service. Today we’ll talk about the causes of the error and how to eliminate it, because you can try to figure it out on your own in terms of problems.
Network Connectivity Troubleshooting
Known Issues with Internet Service Providers
This usually happens when the user tries to log into the client. Solution 1. If we encounter an error, we can try changing the protocols to see if they are a problem.
This should pop up the “Launch” application.
Solution 3: Troubleshoot your Internet connection
Remember to include a space after the default line in the target dialog box. Apply the changes and close the window. We hope that your client will work as expected. If it still does not work, follow the steps below. Open a browser and check if your computer can properly connect to the Internet. You should also check if the network adapter is working properly.
Steam Network Connection
Install pirated versions of games
They use a modified steam client, or before starting the game, the background process is activated, which “deceives” the program. But if you try to launch an honestly bought game under these conditions, it will refuse to work.
Below are the steps to verify and verify. 
This icon means that your network adapter is currently turned on and working as expected. - This means that your network adapter is currently disabled. 
If the problem still persists, we can proceed to resolve the problems.
Decision 4
Now we will try to reset some network settings. This should launch the command line. . Please note that this will not erase your gameplay data. This should open the task manager. Locate the following files and folders. . User data folder.
- Solution. First, delete the hacked game, and if this does not help, reinstall the Steam client (http://store.steampowered.com/about/?l\u003drussian).
The result of the anti-virus protection system
If your favorite Kaspersky or Dr.Web proudly reported that it had prevented unauthorized access to your computer or blocked access to the network for steam_api.dll, it’s too early to rejoice. The file name may be slightly different, but it does not change the essence of the matter. In the official Steam client, there can be no threats by definition, and the protection that attacks the harmless files is hardly worthy of your attention.
Skins Folder. Delete all files other than those mentioned above and start the steam from the launcher.
- After installation is complete, you will be asked to enter your credentials.
- After a successful login, the client will work properly.
Failed to connect to the steam network. May be due to a problem with your connection or with your steam network. If you ask support for this question, answer that. Configure a firewall. Make sure the following applications are on the firewall exclusion list to avoid the most common connection problems.
- Solution. Look at the event log of your antivirus, and if you are among the blocked ones needed files, make them an exception. It is also worth thinking about choosing a different protection system. Sometimes the firewall perceives game traffic as undesirable and blocks its access to the network. Then either force it or disable the firewall for the duration of the game. This will reduce the security of the computer, but will allow you to connect to the network until the reasons for the lock are clarified.
Cardinal solution to the problem
If you are using another firewall application, you need to check the website of your application to find out how to access and add programs to the exclusion list. This link. Connection of a demilitarized network. If you still have connection problems after following the recommended measures, write to us.
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Solving the problem of blocking network access for steam_api.dll
Login and / or password issues
Many factors can be to blame for them, with Valve officials acknowledging the problem. And if you do not want to enter into a long dialogue with technical support, you will have to deal with setting up a client connection yourself.
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- Solution. Right-click on the client’s icon, select the “Properties” tab, and in the “Object” line write “-tcp –login XXX YYY” at the end, where XXX is your username and YYY is your password. That is, you should get something like this: "C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ Steam \\ Steam.exe tcp –login Sasha_Push Onegin."
Network Adapters Failure
Most often this happens on modern motherboard with several built-in network adapters. In other words, if an Ethernet controller, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are simultaneously active in the system, the Steam client may not connect to the server.
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- Solution. Open the "Network and Sharing Center", click "Change adapter settings" and disconnect each unused device (right-click on the icon, the "Disable" item).
Change adapter settings
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Settings network adapter
Incorrect network settings
When the browser or Skype works, they do not appear, but when you start the Steam client, which works according to its own rules, erroneous parameters can block its Internet access.
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Incorrect network settings
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- Solution. Open the settings of your network adapter (see the previous paragraph). Uncheck “QoS Packet Scheduler”. Next, in the properties of the TCP / IPv4 protocol, in the line "Preferred DNS server", write the address "8.8.8.8".
Settings for the used network adapter
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TCP / IPv4 Properties
Windows update
Sometimes system patches of the OS instead of fixing certain security problems serve as a source of headache for the user. Therefore, if you have automatic updating enabled, the reason for the lack of communication between the Steam client and the server should be looked for in the operating system updates.
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- Solution. Open the update log: “Control Panel” - “Center windows updates"-" View the update log ", then click" Installed updates. " Next, remove the latest updates one by one (right-click on the corresponding line, click "Delete"). When everything is ready, reboot the computer.
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Damaged Steam Configuration Files
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View update log
Delete installed updates Windows
Closed ports
Both a firewall and a router can block them. At the same time, one should not confuse the ban on access to the network for the Steam client and the inaccessibility of the ports necessary for its normal functioning ( full list can be found at https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref\u003d8571-GLVN-8711).
- Solution. Physically reboot the router using the power button. If using a Wi-Fi connection, try temporarily switching to a wired connection. Make sure that the required ports are in the allowed list (instructions on the router manufacturer’s website or in the firewall user guide).
Steam file issues
They may occur due to incorrect update client, virus attack, or spontaneous system failure. But you must understand that “can” and “arise” - the words are completely different, therefore the recipe below is better to use when other methods have already been tried and have not brought the desired effect.
- Solution. First, try deleting the “ClientRegistry.blob” file, which is located in the Steam directory. If this does not help, delete all the contents from it, except for the Bin directory and the Steam.exe executable itself.
Steam file issues
If all of the above tips did not help, and there is no connection with the Steam server for several days, you will have to reinstall Windows. To minimize losses, we recommend that you first make a copy of the system ( Acronis True Image, Paragon Hard Disk Manager), and immediately after completion install the Steam client and try to connect to the server. If the connection is established, you can begin reinstalling the necessary drivers and programs. If the situation repeats, then deploy the previously created image and contact the technical support of the service.
Not infrequently, Steam users encounter a problem when there is an Internet connection, browsers work, but the Steam client does not load pages and writes that there is no connection. Often a similar error appears after updating the client. In this article we will consider the causes of the problem and how to fix them.
Perhaps the problem is not with you, but with Valve. It may be that you tried to log in at the moment when the maintenance work is being carried out or the servers are loaded. To be convinced of this, visit and see the number of visits in lately.
In this case, nothing depends on you and you just need to wait a bit until the problem is resolved.
No changes applied to the router
Perhaps after the update, the changes were not applied to the modem and the router.
You can fix everything simply - disconnect the modem and router, wait a few seconds and reconnect.
Steam Blocking by Firewall
Of course, when you first start Steam after the update, it asks for permission to connect to the Internet. You may have denied him access and now windows firewall blocks the client.
You must add Steam to the exceptions. Consider how to do this:
Computer virus infection
You may have recently installed some software from unreliable sources and a virus has entered the system.
You need to check your computer for spyware, adware and virus software using any antivirus.
Modifying the contents of the hosts file
The purpose of this system file - Assigning certain IP addresses to specific website addresses. This file is very fond of all sorts of viruses and malware in order to register your data in it or simply replace it. Changing the contents of a file may result in blocking some sites, in our case, Steam blocking.
In order to clear the host, go to the specified path or simply enter it in the explorer:
C: / Windows / Systems32 / drivers / etc
Now find a file called hosts and open it using Notepad. To do this, right-click on the file and select "To open with…". In the list of suggested programs, find "Notebook".
Attention!
The hosts file may be invisible. In this case, you need to go to the folder settings and in the "View" option enable the display of hidden elements
Now you need to delete the entire contents of this file and paste this text:
# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP / IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
#Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a "#" symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host
# localhost name resolution is handle within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# :: 1 localhost
Launched programs that conflict with Steam
Any antivirus program, anti-spyware application, firewall, or security application can potentially block games from accessing the Steam client.
Add Steam to the antivirus exclusion list or temporarily disable it.
- AVG Anti-virus
- IObit Advanced System Care
- NOD32 Anti-virus
- Webroot spy sweeper
- NVIDIA Network Access Manager / Firewall
- nProtect GameGuard
Steam file corruption
During the last update, some files necessary for the client to work correctly were damaged. Also, files could be damaged under the influence of a virus or other third-party software.
Now, the next time you run Steam, the client will check the integrity of the cache and download the missing files.
Steam is not compatible with the router
The router’s operation in DMZ mode is not supported by Steam and can lead to connection problems. In addition, wireless connections not recommended for games on the network, since such connections are very dependent on the environment.
- Close the Steam client application
- Go around the router by connecting your machine directly to the modem output
- Restart steam
If you still want to use a wireless connection, you need to configure the router. If you confident user PC, then you can do it yourself by following the instructions on the manufacturer’s official website. Otherwise, it is better to seek help from a specialist.
We hope that with the help of this article you were able to return the client to working condition. But if none of the above methods helped, then perhaps you should think about contacting Steam tech support.
