Steam Guard is an extra layer of security that can be added to your Steam online gaming account. If Steam Guard is on, users trying to log into your Steam account from an unknown computer must complete an additional verification process before being allowed to log in. Enabling Steam Guard will help secure your account from undercover or fraudulent actions.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Verifying Email Address
Step 1. Open Steam's "Settings" (Windows) or "Preferences" (Mac) menu
You can access it by clicking the "Steam" menu and selecting "Settings"/"Preferences".
If you are using the Steam website, click on your profile name in the top right corner and select "Account details"
Step 2. Click the "Verify Email Address" button
Follow the instructions to send a verification email to the email address you used when signing up for Steam.
Step 3. Open the verification email
The email will be received after a while. Follow the link in the email to complete the email verification process.
Solve the problem
Step 1. I didn't receive the verification email
If you don't receive a verification email, there are several possible causes.
- Make sure you check the email you used when you created your Steam account. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to register, contact Stem Support at support.steampowered.com/newticket.php.
- If you're using Gmail, the verification email might appear in the "Updates" tab.
- Check the Spam folder if the message does not appear. If the email still doesn't show up, add [email protected] and [email protected] to your list of trusted email addresses.
Part 2 of 3: Enabling Steam Guard
Step 1. Reboot Steam twice to automatically activate Steam Guard
Once your email address is verified, Steam Guard will automatically activate itself if Steam is restarted twice. This is a safety precaution.
Step 2. Click the "Enable Steam Guard" button in the Settings or Preferences menu
This is the way to enable Steam Guard if you've just verified your email address, or if you've disabled Steam Guard before.
Step 3. Make sure Steam Guard is enabled
In the "Accounts" tab of the Settings or Preferences menu, "Security Status" will display "Protected by Steam Guard" if Steam Guard is enabled.
Note: After activating Steam Guard, you must wait 15 days before you can trade or use the Community Market
Solve the problem
Step 1. The "Enable Steam Guard" button is not showing
If the "Accounts" tab in the Settings or Preferences menu doesn't show an "Enable Steam Guard" button, your account may have been recently restored by Steam Support. Make sure you log out of Steam and then log back in for the button to appear.
Part 3 of 3: Using Steam Guard to Login
Step 1. Log in from a new computer or web browser
When Steam Guard is activated, you will be prompted to enter a code every time you log in from a location or device that is not already associated with your account. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your Steam account.
Step 2. Open the verification email
The "Your Steam account: Access from a new computer/device" email will be sent to the email address you verified with Steam when you activated Steam Guard.
Check the Spam folder if the message does not appear. If it still doesn't appear, add [email protected] and [email protected] to your list of trusted email addresses
Step 3. Copy the code in the verification email
Your verification email will contain a five-digit code that will be used to bypass Steam Guard.
Step 4. Click "Next" in the "Steam Guard" window, then paste your code into the field
Step 5. Check "Remember this computer" if you access Steam from a personal device
Uncheck it if you are logging in from a public computer.
Step 6. Give a "recognizable name" to the computer you use frequently
This is to easily distinguish what devices have been authorized for your Steam account. For example, you can give the name "Office" for your work computer.
Step 7. Log into Steam
After entering the code and clicking "Next", you will be logged in and will be able to use Steam as usual. Note that when a new device is authorized, you will be locked out of trading and the Community Market for 15 days on that device.
Solve the problem
Step 1. Steam always asks for a code every time I log in from the same computer
This is usually caused by an authentication file problem on the computer. There are a few things you can try to fix it:
- First, try restarting Steam. Log out completely then log back in. This will fix most problems.
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Delete the ClientRegistry.blob file. Restart Steam afterwards. You can find this file in the following default location:
- Windows - C:\Program Files\Steam
- Mac - ~/User/username/Library/Application Support/Steam
Step 2. I'm still being asked for the code
If the above still doesn't work, you can delete all of your Steam program files. This will not affect the game files. Exit Steam and then go to the same location as above. Delete everything except the SteamApps and steam.exe (Windows) and UserData (Mac) folders. Restart Steam and re-download the required files.
Tips
- Steam Guard is automatically enabled by default for all Steam users. However, if your Steam Guard was disabled from your account settings, you will need to follow the steps described in this article to re-enable it.
- Do not use an email address password for your Steam account.
