Update your Windows install

Please visit Microsoft support for instructions on how to make sure your version of Windows is fully updated. This also includes the Microsoft .NET Framework (all versions) that is available through Windows Update, as AMD Radeon drivers and certain games require the Framework to be installed and fully updated.

Update drivers for your computer

Make sure you have the latest drivers for the various components of your machine.

Verify Integrity of Game Files

If a game won't launch, this is often caused by corruption in your extracted game files. Please see our Verify Integrity of Game Files article for instructions on verifying the integrity of your game files.

Disable non-essential software

Games may not launch if you're running software which interferes with Steam. Please see our Programs Which May Interfere with Steam article for detailed information on software conflicts you may be experiencing.

While the article may be long, the information included is helpful in eliminating common software conflicts which may prevent games from launching.

Check the game's system requirements

Games may not launch if your machine is just at or below the game's system requirements. Please compare your machine's specs against the game's system requirements on the store page, and note that a machine at or near system requirements may experience performance and/or launch issues when playing.

Update Linux

If you're running an older version of Linux there may be conflicts with the game you're trying to run. It is also a good idea to make sure your graphics drivers are up to date as well.

Verify integrity of game files

If a game won't launch this can be caused by corruption in your extracted game files. Please see our Verify Integrity of Game Files article for instructions on verifying the integrity of your game files.

Disable non-essential Linux applications

Games may not launch if you're running software which interferes with Steam. Please see our Programs Which May Interfere with Steam article for detailed information on software conflicts you may be experiencing.

Check the game's system requirements

First, double-check that the game or DLC is specifically available for Linux. Even if the game is available for Linux, games may not launch if your machine is just at or below the game's system requirements. Please compare your machine's specs against the game's system requirements on the store page, and note that a machine at or near system requirements may experience performance and/or launch issues when playing.

If game itself does not support Linux but you are trying to run it using the Steam Play Proton feature for Linux, we recommend checking the Steam Play community discussion forum as other users may have encountered the same problem and have suggestions. You can also report any bugs you find when using Steam Play to the Valve - Proton Github bug database using a GitHub account. This database is regularly reviewed by the Valve development team.

Update macOS

If you're running an older version of macOS there may be conflicts with the game you're trying to run. To update macOS:

• Click on the Apple in the corner of your screen, then choose System Preferences
• Select Software Update
• Click Update Now or Upgrade Now to proceed with updating

Verify integrity of game files

If a game won't launch this is often caused by corruption in your extracted game files. Please see our Verify Integrity of Game Files article for instructions on verifying the integrity of your game files.

Disable non-essential Mac applications

Please disable non-essential background applications that may interfere with Steam.

Some common Mac software that is known to interfere with Steam includes Little Snitch, Peer Guardian and Norton/Symantec Internet Security.

If you have enabled the internal Mac firewall, this may also interfere.

Check the game's system requirements

First, double-check that the game or DLC is specifically available for Mac. Even if the game is available for Mac, games may not launch if your machine is just at or below the game's system requirements. Please compare your machine's specs against the game's system requirements on the store page, and note that a machine at or near system requirements may experience performance and/or launch issues when playing.