Steam Support
Offline Mode
Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without having an active connection to the Steam Network. This feature is useful when you have limited or no internet access.

Any Steam client feature that requires a connection will be unavailable while offline.

How to setup Offline Mode

Please follow the instructions below to successfully configure Offline Mode on your PC:
  1. Start Steam online - make sure the "Remember me" box on the login window is checked.
  2. Verify that all game files are completely updated.
  3. Launch the game(s) you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further update or installation requirements. Shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played.
  4. Go to Steam > Settings > Security to ensure the "Don't save account credentials on this computer" option is not selected
  5. From the main Steam window, go to the Steam menu and select Go Offline...

Troubleshooting Offline Mode

If the Steam client is requiring a login, there is no option to bypass that without going online. It is for this reason that we encourage users to make sure they understand the behaviors that affect offline mode, so that issues can be avoided.

Also keep in mind that while in Offline Mode, Steam and your games will not receive important updates. It's always a good idea to go online to update the Steam client as well as your games.

  • Losing stored information
    Stored information is required for offline mode to function correctly. To prevent this information from being lost, make sure that you manually close Steam before shutting your computer down. Don't force quit Steam either.

    You'll also want to make sure that you don't have any interfering programs affecting Steam or its installation files.

  • Network settings
    Firewall settings may prevent the Steam client and games from updating. Please see the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity FAQ for further instructions.

  • Initial game start-up
    Most games require an initial start-up while connected to the Steam Network before they will work in offline mode. If your game's status is "100% - Ready", but you receive the message "This game cannot be started in Offline Mode" when attempting to play offline, the Steam client and/or game files need to be updated.

  • Game requirements
    Games that require an active connection or use an external launcher will not work in offline mode.

Need help with Steam?
Use the Steam help wizard to narrow down your topic and get the help you need.
Community Help
Post or search in Steam Discussions for an answer to your question.