Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via Valve

How to restart Steam

Time for a refresh!

It can be frustrating to want to use your Steam application, only to have it act up on you. That's why we've created a guide to show you how to restart Steam and hopefully get it to function smoothly again.

Recommended Videos

How to restart your Steam app

Restarting the Steam app is really simple and quick to do. Click the Steam button in the top left of the application, then hit Exit at the bottom of the options list. This will make the Steam app fully shut down, rather than simply sleep in the background as it does at times. Open the app again after a few moments, and the program will have fully restarted.

Related: How to cancel recurring subscriptions on Steam

How to restart Steam when it is frozen or not responsive

Screenshot by Pro Game Guides

If your Steam app is frozen, using typical methods to restart the program is not going to be very helpful for you. If the program is completely unresponsive, the best method to employ is to pull up Tas Manager by typing Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously, and then choosing the Steam option on the menu before hitting End Task. Once you have done this, try opening Steam again. If you cannot get Task Manager to pull up, this may be an issue with your computer and not Steam. At that point, you'll need to hard restart your computer.

Want to read more about Steam? If so, check out How to refund a game on Steam on Pro Game Guides.


Pro Game Guides is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
We have upgraded our commenting platform! Existing comments will be imported over the next few weeks.
Author
Image of Bethany Barber
Bethany Barber
Bethany has been a writer at Pro Game Guides for over two years, but she has been into both gaming and writing for countless years. When not writing helpful guides for fellow gamers, she can be found playing on her PC or Switch, writing short stories, and watching horror movies.