Many users complain that Steam won’t open from taskbar, although they can see the icon. The problem occurs on Windows 7, 8, and 10 computers without an exception. Some people report that the program boots in Big Picture Mode and logs them in, however, a blank screen appears afterward. The first thing we recommend checking is whether the service of the game client is down. This will help you determine whether it is a temporary issue from the service end. To check this, you can go to steamstat.us website and see the info according to your region. Additionally, please remember that Steam has scheduled maintenance routine that typically takes place every Tuesday around 1-3 p.m. Pacific time. During this time, some outages are expected. Let’s dive straight into the list of methods on how to fix Steam not opening in 2020.
Fixes to Steam Won’t Open problem (Windows 7, 8, 10)
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Method 1. Restart Steam Client
Steam might be running some of its processes in the background, which prevents you from opening it. To launch the program without bugs, we need to prepare a clean start for it. Therefore, end the active processes and open Steam using these steps:
Method 2. Restart computer
Restarting the computer often fixes many problems. To be precise, you need to reboot it, not log off/log in your account.
Method 3. Run Steam as administrator
Steam won’t open? You might need to run it as Administrator. Users report that this often fix the issue for them. All that you need to do is to right-click the Steam icon and choose Run as Administrator. If the program still won’t launch, try the next methods we listed.
Method 4. Unplug external devices
In case you have recently connected some external devices while gaming, we suggest removing them one by one and checking if the issue with Steam persists. It could be a new keyboard, headphones, speakers or some other gadgets.
Method 5. Update Windows
You may have seen “update and restart” option in the previous method, so if that’s the case, choose this option. Otherwise, you might need to check for Windows updates manually. To do so, follow the given steps.
Method 6. Update Date & Time Settings
Suprisingly, wrong Date & Time settings can cause a lot of problems on your computer, including Steam won’t open Windows 10. It is so because the gaming client collects some date and time data as you play. Therefore, the right Date and Time settings is a must. To ensure that time settings are ok, follow the given steps.
Method 7. Restart Your Router
Restarting router is one of the simplest ways to fix Steam that won’t open.
Method 8. Run Automatic Error – Fixing tools
You can check your hard drive for errors as well as scan the system for corrupted files and fix these problems using two simple Command Prompt commands. These methods are used for many PC-related issues. Of course, they can come in handy when dealing with a Steam that won’t open for you.
Method 9. Perform Clean Boot of Windows
Clean Boot can help identify if third-party apps and services are interfering with the game client and causing Steam won’t open issue. Here is how to perform a clean boot: IMPORTANT NOTE. If you managed to open and use Steam successfully in this mode, this could mean that one of the services you disabled is interfering with the gaming client. In such case, we strongly recommend tracking back the apps you installed recently and uninstalling them. To boot computer in normal mode, repeat all the steps but don’t forget to enable all the services and startup processes you disabled previously. Then restart your PC.
Method 10. Uninstall third-party apps that prevent Steam from opening
Steam won’t open from taskbar for several third-party programs that might interfere with it. Typical programs that might cause the problem are:
Antivirus software;Anti-spyware software;VPNs;Firewalls;P2P Clients;IP Filtering Programs;Download Accelerators;FTP/Web Server Applications.
If you have recently installed and started using any of these programs, they might be preventing Steam from opening. In such case, follow the instructions presented below.
10.1 Uninstall unnecessary third-party apps
In some cases, third-party programs can interfere with Steam and prevent it from running. Here’s how to uninstall some recently installed programs that might be interfering with Steam:
10.2 Check if third-party antivirus blocks Steam
In some cases, third-party antivirus solutions are to blame for steam won’t open 2020 issue. First of all, you need to check if you’re running to security solutions at once (in case you’re using a third-party antivirus). Therefore, start by disabling Windows Defender (also known as Windows Security). TIP. NEVER leave your computer unprotected (without real-time protection). Turn on either Windows defender or try another antivirus provider which will allow Steam Games at all times. Another solution would be creating an exception rule in your antivirus for Steam or particular game you’re playing.
Method 11. Update drivers to fix Steam won’t open on Windows
This is often the “it” solution for “why I can’t open Steam” problem. It is time-consuming task, so be prepared to spend some time here.
Method 12. Recover using System Restore
System Restore points is an excellent way of rolling back in time before any problems started to occur. If you create them manually or have set to create system restore points automatically, check the instructions given below. Windows might also create system restore points before installing updates. TIP. If you do not have a restore point or if you have an old one, you might want to skip this method as too many data might be lost.
Method 13. Run Professional PC Repair software
One of the problems causing Steam won’t open after logging in could be errors in Windows OS components such as Registry files. Therefore, we suggest running a popular and well-reviewed PC repair software, called RESTORO, to replace faulty files with healthy ones. The program can also check for malware remains and remove them for you.
Method 14. Test RAM to fix Steam won’t open
RAM issues are equal to gaming issue such as Steam won’t open chat window one. This is what you need to do to identify if you’re experiencing RAM-related problems.
Method 15. Repair or Reinstall Steam
15.1 Repair Steam
15.2 Reinstall Steam that won’t open
Method 16. Disable Overclocking
If you have previously decided to use overclocking to speed up Windows performance, we suggest you check better ways to do it. Meanwhile, you need to disable overclocking.
Method 17. Try connecting to a different network
Some network providers tend to save bandwidth by compressing the data transmitted. Therefore, we suggest connecting to a different network (preferably by a different Internet provider) and checking if Steam will open then. If that is the problem, you might need to temporarily or permanently change your Internet provider.
Method 18. Turn off Compatibility Mode (Windows 7)
If you’re using Steam, most likely you’re using the latest version of it, which is designed for Windows 10. This gaming client doesn’t have compatibility mode for earlier Windows versions. To solve this issue, the operating system enables Compatibility Mode as a workaround for frequent gaming issues. Unfortunately, this mode isn’t recommended with the gaming client, and that is why we suggest disabling it. Compatibility Runner interferes with Steam and might prevent it from opening. Therefore, use this method if you’re dealing with Steam won’t open Windows 7 issue. Warning: This method involves editing Windows Registry, which is NOT recommended for inexperienced PC users.
Method 18.1. Disable Compatibility Mode for Steam
Method 18.2. Disable Compatibility via Windows Registry (Advanced)
We hope that one of the given methods was the right fix for the Steam won’t open problem. In case you have found a different cause for this problem, please share it in the comments section. You might save a day for someone!
Method 19. Fix Steam Won’t Launch Games
If you have noticed that Steam won’t launch games no matter what and nothing happens when you click Play, you should try this method. It required verifying game integrity.
