Fixing the error where Steam Servers Are Currently Unavailable or Too Busy

Question

Answer

Change your Download Region

Try changing your Download Region to see if it affects the issue:

On Windows

1. Start Steam
2. Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads tab
3. Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
4. Try launching or installing the game once more

On Mac

1. Start Steam
2. Click on Steam > Preferences > Downloads tab
3. Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
4. Try launching or installing the game once more

 

Repairing corrupted Steam files

It is possible that over time your Steam files have become corrupted. Try the following to repair your Steam files.

On Windows

To fix this error use the following steps:

• Exit Steam
• Navigate to your Steam installation directory. (C:\Program Files\Steam\ by default.)
• Delete everything in that directory EXCEPT the following:
  • steam.exe
  • steamapps directory (All of Steam’s game files are kept here.)
• Restart Steam to test the issue

On Mac

To fix this error use the following steps:

• Exit Steam
• Navigate to Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam by default.)
• Delete everything in that directory
• Launch Steam.app from your Dock or Applications folder

 

Connection Issues

Many Steam issues can be caused by a firewall, anti-virus, or a problem with your router or internet connection.

Please use the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity guide to ensure that your network is properly configured for use with Steam.

 

Disable any programs which interfere with Steam

Please consult the topic linked below and make sure any programs on the list are either disabled or uninstalled:
Programs Which Interfere with Steam

 

Remove Spyware, Adware, and Viruses

If the issue persists it is possible that a virus, adware, or spyware may be interfering with the installation process. Please see the topic linked below for instructions to remove the offending program:
Spyware, Adware, and Viruses Interfering with Steam

 

Steam Network Outage

If the Steam Network is experiencing a large amount of traffic or if the network is temporarily off-line, you may not be able to use Steam immediately. Please follow the link below to check the Steam Network Status page:

Steam Network Status

 

Recent purchase not recognized yet

If you experience this error while trying to install or register a game, log out of Steam and log back in to determine whether or not your purchase was successfully processed:

1. Right click the Steam icon
2. Select the Settings option, then Log in as a different user…

After Steam restarts you will be prompted for your username and password. After logging in you should be able to download and/or install the games.

Empire: Total War

If you are receiving this error when attempting to install or launch this game, it may be a result of activating an extra content key (Additional units, etc) without activating the primary key for this game. Please make sure you have activated the CD Key found on the back cover of the game manual.

When Adding non-Steam games to your Library

Question

Answer

Adding a shortcut to a non-Steam game

1. Launch Steam.
2. Click the Games menu, choose Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.
3. Browse for games on your computer or put a check next to the game(s) you wish to add to the Library.
4. Click Add Selected Programs

Fix the error with TCPView and Slow Download Issues

Question

Answer

Some users have tried temporary workarounds with TCPView or other software to disconnect from slow download servers in hopes of finding a faster server connection.

If you are a user who is experiencing slow downloads on a regular basis, please contact Steam Support with this link and specify your Category as Steam Questions > Servers are busy.

With a brief description of your issue and geographical location, please include a listing of your Active Connections using this process:

1. Run your download from Steam until you experience the slow connection.
2. Bring up your Run command line in Windows (Start>Run or the Windows Key + R).
3. Type “cmd” and click OK.
4. In the new window type “netstat -na” to bring up your active connections.
5. Copy all TCP and UDP connections and include them as a .txt file or in the text of your submission to Steam Support.
6. Additionally, go to C:\Program Files\Steam\, locate the Steam.log and submit this file along with the netstat report. (This file should appear to be a Text Document)

Steam Language Settings

Question

Answer

Changing the language of the Steam client

The Steam language setting determines which language the Steam client application displays, as well as the language which games are presented in. (Third-party titles may have their own language settings – these settings will generally be independent of the Steam language setting)

1. Log into your Steam account
2. Click the Steam menu in the top menu bar (this is the first option on the left at the top of the window)
3. Go to the Settings option
4. Go to the Interface tab
5. Select the language you wish to use from the drop-down menu
6. Click OK and then select the option to Restart Steam
7. Once Steam restarts, you will be able to use Steam and Valve games in the language which you selected.
8. If you have games installed that support the language you have selected, files for that language may need to be downloaded before you can play.

 

Changing the language of individual games

The language of many games can be changed independently from the Steam client language.

1. Log into your Steam account
2. Right click on a game from the Steam game library and choose Properties.
3. Go to the Language tab
4. Select the language you wish to use from the drop-down menu
5. Click OK
6. If the game supports the language you have selected, files for that language may need to be downloaded before you can play.

 

If you are experiencing problems enabling a language, make sure your desired language is selected in both locations.

Note: Some languages may not be available for the game you wish to play. Check the Steam store page for the game to see which languages are offered.

How to Disable Steam from running at startup

Question

Answer

With Steam open, click the Steam menu, and choose Settings.

Click on the Interface tab, and uncheck the box that says:

“Run Steam when my computer starts.”