A popular social gaming platform, Steam is where millions of players can purchase different games and use the forums to discuss various topics related to gaming. Unfortunately, hindering the experience are problems such as ‘Error Communicating With Steam Servers’ which prevents users from logging into their account and accessing games in their library.
- Also Read: Steam Error 16 Explained: How To Fix Quickly
The ‘error communicating with the Steam servers’ message is followed by ‘Please try again later.’ Even if you try to log into your account after some time, chances are that the error will pop up again, leaving you frustrated. We have the solutions to combat this problem in our guide.
Reasons For Error Communicating With Steam Servers
Steam rarely encounters any problems. However, during summer sales or holiday events, its player base could peak and the servers may overload. ‘Error communicating with Steam servers’ is usually caused by a server error from Steam’s side, provided that players don’t have a faulty connection themselves.
In other cases, antivirus or VPN might be affecting the connection between the Steam client and the host, or the DNS cache data needs to be flushed and renewed.
How To Fix Error Communicating With Steam Servers On PC?
Listed below are a few solutions for the Error communicating with Steam servers issue:-
Check The Server Status Of Steam
The first thing you should do after encountering ‘error communicating with Steam servers’ is check Steam’s server status. If it is down for maintenance or due to a server overload, you won’t be able to access its online features. The most reliable websites to check if the Steam servers are operational are Steamstat.us and Downdetector, as they provide real-time information about server issues.
Disable VPN or Antivirus For Better Steam Connectivity
VPNs can allow players to change their IP address and location to access games that weren’t available in their country. Unfortunately, such third-party apps can also hinder the connection between the host and Steam client. Disable your VPN by using the following steps:
- Open the system settings of your VPN on your PC and select Network & Internet.
- Select VPN and the VPN connection you have been using.
- Choose the Disconnect option and check if that fixes the issue by re-loading Steam.
If you think your Antivirus protection is hindering the operations of Steam, you can also disable it by navigating to the Settings section of the Antivirus application such as McAfee or Kaspersky.
Delete DNS Cache On Your PC Device
A potentially corrupted DNS cache is problematic for online applications such as Steam. Players may see the ‘error communicating with Steam servers’ on their screen each time they try to log into their account. Clear DNS cache via the following steps:-
- Use the Windows Search bar to find Command Prompt and run it as administrator.
- A pop-up window will ask for confirmation. Choose Yes to continue.
- Enter the command ipconfig /flushdn and press Enter.
Delete & Reinstall Steam On Your PC
The last fix for ‘error communicating with Steam servers’ is to reinstall Steam after deleting the application. To delete the application, you need to uninstall it from the Apps & Features section. It can be reinstalled from https://store.steampowered.com on PC. That said, here is how you can delete Steam:
- Search for and open Settings with the Windows Search bar.
- Select Apps –> Installed Apps. You will notice three dots appearing on the right side of each app.
- Select the three dots next to Steam and click Uninstall.
Once you have remedied the ‘error communicating with Steam servers’ issue, you can log into your account and continue using the gaming platform as you please.
