Restarting Steam can help solve network-related problems that arise when running or playing games. You can restart Steam by closing and reopening it. Apart from that, you can also repair and reload Steam files that have been modified, corrupted, lost, or incorrectly configured by the operating system.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Restarting Steam
Step 1. Click the “Steam” option in the toolbar at the top left of the Steam window
Step 2. Select the “Exit” or “Exit Steam” option
” After that, Steam will close.
You can also right-click the Steam icon on the desktop taskbar and select the option “Exit.” If you are using Windows, the taskbar is at the bottom right of the desktop. If you're using Mac OS X, the taskbar is at the top right of the desktop
Step 3. Double-click the Steam icon on the desktop to run it again
If you can't find the icon on the desktop, look for "Steam" in the Windows Start menu or in the Applications folder on Mac OS X.
Method 2 of 4: Repairing and Reloading Steam Files on Windows
Step 1. Close Steam by following the first step and the second step written in the First Method
Step 2. Press Windows key + R at the same time
This will open the Run window.
Step 3. Type the following command into the Run window and press the Enter key: steam://flushconfig
This command will repair and reload Steam files.
Step 4. Shut down and restart the computer and open the C folder:
Program Files\Steam.
Step 5. Double-click the “Steam” or “Steam.exe” program to run it again
This will open the Steam program directly from the installation folder. Do not run it by opening a shortcut on the desktop.
Step 6. Play the games available on Steam
After following the steps listed in this method, the Steam files will be repaired and reloaded.
Method 3 of 4: Repairing and Reloading Steam Files on Mac OS X
Step 1. Close Steam by following the first step and the second step written in the First Method
Step 2. Open Safari and type “steam://flushconfig” in the URL field (address bar or the field where you can write website address)
Step 3. Press “Enter” key and close Safari
Step 4. Shut down and restart the computer and open Steam
After following the steps listed in this method, the Steam files will be repaired and reloaded and you will be able to play the game again.
Method 4 of 4: Repairing and Reloading Steam Files on Linux
Step 1. Open Terminal and type “steam --reset”
Step 2. Press the “Enter” button
” The message “Installing bootstrap /home/[username]/.steam/steam/bootstrap.tar.xz” will appear on the screen. This message indicates that the Steam file has been repaired and reloaded.
Step 3. Shut down and restart the computer and open Steam
After following the steps listed in this method, the Steam files will be repaired and reloaded and you will be able to play the game again.
Tips
- Try restarting Steam if the game won't start after downloading and installing. Some games may require you to restart Steam before they can run.
- Try repairing and reloading Steam files by following the Second, Third, or Fourth Method listed in this article if restarting Steam doesn't fix any game or network related issues. Repairing and reloading Steam files will return them to their original settings without affecting or removing any installed games.
