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Steam Client Crashing Issue: Opens and Closes Immediately

2023/12/24
PC Repair

Key Notes

  • Update or revert your graphics drivers.
  • Repair corrupted Steam services.
  • Uninstall and reinstall Steam if all else fails.

Resolving Steam Client Crashes on Windows 10 and 11

Experiencing frequent crashes with the Steam Client? This guide outlines actionable solutions to tackle the issue effectively.

Comprehensive Solutions for Steam Client Crashes

If you’re encountering persistent crashes or your Steam Client opens and closes immediately, follow these methods:

  1. Roll back or reinstall your graphics card driver
  2. Opt out of Steam Beta
  3. Repair the Steam Service
  4. Temporarily disable your antivirus
  5. Delete files inside the Steam folder
  6. Uninstall and reinstall the Steam Client

Let’s explore each solution in detail.

Step 1: Roll Back or Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

Crashes may stem from outdated graphics drivers. To address this:

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your graphics driver and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the Driver tab and check for a Roll Back option.
  5. If it’s available, select it to revert to a previous driver version.

Pro Tip: If the Roll Back option is unavailable, uninstall your graphics driver and then reinstall it using the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

Step 2: Opt Out of Steam Beta Program

Exiting the Steam Beta may solve your crashing issues. First, close the Steam Client completely via the Task Manager.

Once closed, navigate to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\package

If a file labeled beta exists, remove it. Restart Steam and allow it to download necessary files anew.

Step 3: Repair the Steam Service

Corrupted Steam files can lead to crashes. To repair the service:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type in the command: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe" /repair and hit Enter.

After this repair, launch Steam to check for improvements.

Step 4: Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Your antivirus might incorrectly flag Steam and prevent it from running properly. Temporarily disable it and check if the issue resolves. If it does, add Steam to your antivirus’s exclusion list for smoother operation.

Step 5: Remove Files in the Steam Folder

For a fresh start, clear out the contents of the Steam folder:

  1. Close Steam entirely, ensuring no processes are running in Task Manager.
  2. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.
  3. Delete all files and folders, except steamapps and Steam.exe.

Upon restarting Steam, it will automatically download needed files.

Step 6: Uninstall and Reinstall the Steam Client

If prior solutions fail, consider uninstalling the Steam Client entirely, then download and install the latest version from the official Steam website.

Summary

In this guide, we explored step-by-step methods to fix the common issue of Steam Client crashes on Windows 10 and 11, from updating drivers to reinstalling the application.

Conclusion

We hope these troubleshooting steps resolve your Steam Client issues. Persistent problems may require contacting Steam support or checking their online forums for additional assistance.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What should I do if my Steam Client crashes frequently?

Follow the aforementioned troubleshooting steps, focusing on graphics drivers and Steam settings.

Can I repair my Steam installation without uninstalling?

Yes, you can repair the Steam service using the command provided in Step 3 of our guide.

PC Repair