How to Fix Steam Crashing on Your Computer
Some users may encounter issues with Steam crashing or failing to launch properly. This article provides several effective solutions to help you resolve these problems and ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Method 1: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers could be one of the reasons for Steam crashes. To ensure proper functionality of both games and Steam, it's recommended to update your graphics drivers. You can use Driver Sentry to automatically detect and update drivers, saving time and preventing errors.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry, install it, and open the software, then click "Scan".
Once the scan is complete, the software will show which drivers are missing or need updating. Find your graphics driver in the results list and click "Update".
After updating, it's advisable to restart your computer to ensure the new drivers work properly.
Method 2: Restart Steam and Your Computer
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
In the "Processes" tab, find "Steam Client Bootstrapper" or any other Steam-related processes, right-click on them, and select "End task".
Click the "Start" menu and choose "Restart".
After restarting your computer, open the Steam client again, log in, and check if the crashing issue has been resolved.
Method 3: Disable Third-Party Software
Open your firewall or antivirus software and go to the "Settings" or "Options" menu.
Temporarily disable real-time protection or firewall features.
Restart the Steam client and check if it still crashes.
If disabling the firewall or antivirus resolves the issue, add Steam to the whitelist to prevent further conflicts.
Go to the whitelist or exclusion list in your firewall or antivirus software and manually add the Steam executable file (Steam.exe).
After testing, make sure to re-enable your security software to keep your system safe.
Method 4: Verify Steam Cache Files
If a specific game keeps crashing, you can verify its file integrity.
In the Steam client, go to the "Library" tab, find the game, right-click on the game's name, and select "Properties".
In the "Properties" window, go to the "Installed Files" tab and click "Verify Integrity of Game Files".
Open the Steam client, click the "Steam" menu at the top left, and select "Settings".
In the Settings window, choose the "Downloads" option.
Click "Clear Download Cache". This will not affect installed games but may require you to log in again.
Method 5: Reinstall the Steam Client
Before reinstalling Steam, it's best to back up your downloaded games.
Open the Steam client, click the "Steam" menu, choose "Backup and Restore Games", and follow the prompts.
Open the "Control Panel" and select "Uninstall a program".
Find Steam in the program list, right-click on it, and select "Uninstall".
Visit the official Steam website and download the latest version of the Steam client.
After installation, log in to your Steam account and restore your backed-up games.
Once reinstalled, restart your computer and run Steam to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 6: Check Windows Updates
Press Windows + I to open the Settings window and select "Update & Security".
In the "Windows Update" tab, click "Check for updates", and the system will automatically search for and download any available patches.
If updates are available, click the "Download and Install" button.
Wait for the updates to finish, then restart your computer to apply the changes.
After updating Windows, reopen the Steam client and check if the crashing issue is fixed.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve Steam crashes and restore normal operation. If the problem persists, it's recommended to contact Steam support or seek professional assistance.
See also:
How to Fix Ethernet Not Working Issues
8 Ways to Fix Network Latency Issues
