Fix: Steam Crashing or Freezing on Windows 11

Valve Corporation’s Steam is a widely used digital distribution service for video games, offering a standalone desktop client that enables users to install and play games on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. Notably, the Steam client also allows users to add and play non-Steam games. However, recently, some users have encountered issues with Steam crashing or freezing on Windows 11, which is unexpected.

Microsoft launched the stable build of Windows 11 after initially releasing the beta channel through the Insider Preview program. Although Windows 11 boasts improved PC gaming support compared to its predecessors, the Steam client appears to be experiencing difficulties for some users. Reports indicate that the Steam client is either crashing at startup, experiencing issues downloading or installing games on Windows 11, or facing freezing and stuttering problems.

Fix: Steam Crashing or Freezing on Windows 11

Microsoft has recently released a patch update for Windows 11 that basically fixes a bug with the app crashes apart from the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) error too. However, it seems that the Steam desktop client is eventually getting crashed quite often even after installing the latest build. According to the users, even after upgrading Steam to the latest version, the problem persists. Luckily, the issue is specific to a few Windows 11 users right now.

Now, if you’re also facing the same issue then you can check out this troubleshooting guide to quickly resolve it. Here we’ve shared with you a couple of possible workarounds that should help you out. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Update Windows

It seems that outdated Windows OS or build can have some buggy elements or stability issues whatsoever. If you haven’t updated your Windows version for a while then make sure to follow the steps below to check for updates.

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Windows Update from the left pane > Click on Check for updates.
• If there is an update available, make sure to Download and Install it.
• The update installation process may take some time and you’ll have to reboot your computer to apply changes. (when prompted)
• Once done, you can try launching Steam to check for the crashing or freezing issue on Windows 11.

2. Check for Optional Updates

You can also check for optional updates on your Windows computer to check out whether additional driver or software updates are available. If so, make sure to install those updates straight away by following the steps below:

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Windows Update from the left pane > Click on Advanced options.
• Now, go to Optional updates (under Additional options) > Click on Driver updates to expand the list.

• If there are driver or application updates available, select them one by one whatever you want to update.
• Finally, click on Download & install > Wait for the update process to be completed.
• Reboot your PC to apply changes.

3. Update Graphics Driver

Make sure to check for the graphics driver update on your Windows 11 PC to ensure there no updates are pending. Sometimes an outdated or corrupted graphics driver version can cause several compatibility issues with the games or applications to run properly. To do so:

• Press Windows + X keys to open the Quick Start Menu.
• Click on Device Manager > Double-click on Display adapters.
• Right-click on the graphics card > Select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers.
• If there is an update available, it’ll automatically download and install the update.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to apply changes.

4. Run an SFC scan

By running the SFC scan on your Windows 11 PC you’ll be able to find out whether any program file or the disk drive has some issues or not. If there is an issue, you can try manually fixing it out.

• Click on the Start Menu and type cmd.
• Now, right-click on Command Prompt from the search result.
• Select Run as administrator > If prompted, click on Yes to give admin privileges.
• Once the command prompt window opens, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it: [There is a space before /]

sfc /scannow

• Now, wait for the process to complete.
• Once done, restart your computer to change effects immediately.

5. Change Video Performance Settings (32-bit only)

Note: This method only works on the 32-bit architecture. So, if your PC is running on the 64-bit then skip this method.

• Click on the Start menu > Search for advanced system settings.
• Click on it from the search result > Select Advanced.
• Make sure to click on Settings under the Performance tab.
• Select the Data Execution Prevention tab > Click on the ‘Turn on DEP for all programs except those I select’ option.
• Now, click on Add > Select the Steam executable file that has the issue.

6. Uninstall Sonic Studio 3

Some reports are coming out that uninstalling the Sonic Studio 3 application on the PC did fix the Steam crashing or freezing issue.

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Apps from the left pane > Click on Apps & features.
• Search for Sonic Studio 3 and click on the vertical dots icon from the right.
• Now, select Uninstall > Make sure to reboot the PC to apply changes.

7. Enable Game Mode

As we’ve mentioned above, Windows 11 is more compatible with PC gaming than its predecessors as Microsoft has added plenty of gaming features apart from a lot of improvements. That’s why over a period of time, you’ll get improved gaming performance on your Windows 11 computer with the existing or upcoming gaming titles whatsoever. If you don’t know, Microsoft has also added some features like Game Mode, Auto HDR, and DirectStorage.

If you haven’t enabled the Game Mode feature on your computer yet, you can do so by following the steps below:

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Gaming from the left pane > Click on Game Mode.
• Click on the Game Mode toggle to turn it on.
• Now, you can try launching the Steam client on your PC to check for the crashing issue.

8. Temporarily Disable Windows Security

You should try temporarily disabling any security programs on your Windows 11 PC like the Windows Defender Firewall, Virus & threat protection, or any other third-party antivirus software. To do that:

• Click on the Start menu > Search for virus & threat protection.
• Click on it from the search result and turn off the real-time protection manually.
• Next, search for defender firewall from the Start menu > Open it and turn off manually.

As we’ve mentioned, if you’re using any third-party antivirus software, make sure to turn off the real-time scanning or protection temporarily. Once done, you can check for the Steam crashing or freezing issue on Windows 11.

9. Reinstall Steam

If none of the methods worked for you, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Steam client on your Windows 11 PC as a final resort. Sometimes reinstalling the program on Windows can fix multiple issues with the system glitch or corrupted application. To do this:

• Press Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Apps > Scroll down the list of installed apps and locate Steam. [You can also directly type steam and search for it]

• Click on Steam and select Uninstall.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
• Once done, make sure to restart your PC to change effects.
• Next, head over to the Steam Installation webpage and grab for your Windows 11.
• Finally, open Steam > Sign in to your Steam account > Download and Install games.
• You’re done. Enjoy!

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.