The Steam community overlay is an in-game interface that allows access to many Steam Community features while playing games. The default keybind of Shift+Tab will open the overlay in any game where it is supported and enabled.

Beyond giving access to Steam community features, many games utilize the overlay in the background to support in-game features that require Steam. You may not even realize that a game is using the overlay in these cases.

Because the Steam overlay is a customizable Steamworks feature, games will use it differently depending on which features it supports and how the developer incorporated it. More detailed information can be found in the Steam community or by contacting specific game developers.

What can the overlay be used for?

• In-game purchasing
  If a game offers micro-transactions, item purchases, or any other type of in-game purchasing, the Steam overlay will be required. The overlay enables the game to communicate with Steam and allow your purchase to be made while playing.
  
  
• Friend, game & group invites
  You can access your friends list, Steam chat, as well as group/game invites while in the overlay. Some games utilize the overlay for party and matchmaking invites. If it is not enabled, the invites will not work.
  
  
• Screenshots
  Steam allows screenshots to be captured in-game by using the default keybinding of F12. This feature requires the overlay to capture the screenshots. The screenshots can be accessed in-game by using the overlay as well.
  
  
• Trading & Market features
  Many games with in-game inventory systems will use the overlay to allow players access to inventory features while in the game. If a game supports trading or market purchasing while in-game, the Steam overlay will be required.
  
  
• Other community features
  The overlay interface gives access to most other features that are available through the Steam website. Along with access to these features specifically, the overlay has a built in web browser.

Overlay Not Opening

The overlay interface does not open when pressing its default shortcut (Shift+Tab).

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure that the Overlay is actually enabled and that your keybinding is correct. Specific instructions can be found below.

If the overlay is still not opening, make sure to follow all the Basic and Advanced steps in this article.

Overlay Freezes or Becomes Unresponsive

Because the overlay is a supplemental component of the game you are playing, it will be automatically closed should your system's resources come under heavy load.

You'll want to make sure that your system is in a good state by updating all major drivers, limiting the amount of programs running during gameplay, as well as updating your operating system to its latest version.

Detailed steps can be found in the troubleshooting sections below.

Enabling the Steam Overlay

Steam has a global setting that will enable or disable the Steam overlay:

Open the Steam client and navigate to the Steam > Settings > In-game tab. Toggle on Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.



Additionally, you can turn on/off the Steam Overlay per game.

• Find the game in your Library -> Properties...
• Under the General tab, you'll find a checkbox for Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game

Basic Steam Troubleshooting

The following steps will ensure that Steam is in a good state for the overlay to work. These can be performed with a minimal amount of technical knowledge.

Restart Computer

It's always a good first step to make sure that you restart Steam as well as your computer.

Restarting the computer flushes all kinds of system states and caches, while resetting other programs and releasing locks on files and other resources.

Verify Local Game Files

Sometimes files on hard-disks and other storage devices become corrupted. Some of these files may be associated with the way the game utilizes the overlay. Verifying local files can fix this.

Find Game in Library -> Right click the game or select the gear icon -> Properties... -> Local Files -> Installed Files -> Verify Integrity of Game Files...

Reinstall Steam

The Steam installer can be downloaded here and reinstalled to the same location where it is already installed.

This will ensure that all files required by the Steam overlay are in a good state. This process will have no effect on your installed games.

WARNING! Uninstalling Steam will delete all game content.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the overlay is still not working correctly after following the fixes outlined above, it is possible that something outside of Steam is responsible.

Because these are advanced troubleshooting steps, we highly recommend that you contact a local IT support specialist in your area for further assistance with these steps.

Investigate Firewalls

Certain firewalls may prevent Steam from communicating with the game that requires it. You'll want to work with a tech support specialist to ensure that the Firewall is not interfering. You may even need to temporarily disable it for testing purposes. It may be necessary to add exceptions in your firewalls for Steam.

Investigate Anti-Virus Software

AV software hooks very deep into user systems and can affect disk and network operations which will cause issues with Steam. Some games also use copy protection technology that can appear as malicious software to an AV scanner, resulting in potential false-positive alerts.

You'll want to work with a tech support specialist to ensure that your AV software is not interfering with Steam. You may even need to temporarily disable it for testing purposes. It may also be necessary to add exceptions for Steam in your AV configuration (for example, excluding Steam Library folders from live monitoring services).

Investigate Other Programs Interfering

Any software that modifies or monitors system, disk or network activity can cause issues with the Overlay's functionality. These programs and services can run in the background and are typically associated with software like Anti-Virus, ad-blockers, web-optimizers, firewalls, system cleaners, recording software, proxies, performance boosters etc.

You'll want to work with a specialist to ensure that no outside software is interfering with the Steam Overlay.

Upgrade Your System

If your system is at or below the required or recommended specifications for the game, the overlay may have difficulty functioning correctly.

You'll want to work with a specialist in your area to consider upgrading your operating system, or even the hardware that your system uses.