Fix: Steam Disconnecting Randomly

Steam is one of the best platforms on which you can play a wide variety of games on your system. From Windows to Mac, you can use the platform on almost all operating systems. However, like any other application on the internet, it also has its own shares of problems. But among all, the one that has been troubling users the most is the connectivity issue with the Steam Client.

Many users have reported that the Steam client is not connecting to the internet. Whereas, there have also been some cases where Steam automatically gets disconnected from the internet. So, if you are also dealing with the same issue, then this is the place where you need to be.

In this post, we are going to talk about how to fix the Steam randomly disconnecting problem. Plus, we will also share different reasons causing the issue. So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into the topic.

Reasons Behind Steam Disconnecting Randomly

There can be multiple reasons that can cause the connection issue with the steam client. But among all, the most common ones are listed below.

1. Like any other application, if Steam has stored a lot of cache data, then you are most likely to face different problems including the connection issue.
2. The DNS servers you are currently connected with can also trigger the mentioned problem.
3. A third-party application, mainly anti-virus can interfere in the smooth functioning of the Steam client.

Now that you are aware of all the possible reasons causing the problem, let’s take out how to get rid of them.

Fix: Steam Disconnecting Randomly

As of now, there isn’t any specific solution available to get rid of the problem. Thus, you will have to try different workarounds mentioned in the post and stick with the one that fixes the problem. So, check them out one by one.

Fix 1: Clear Cache Data

Before proceeding further in this method, make sure you are aware of the different effects after clearing the Steam cache data. If not, check out the below points.

As per Steam, you won’t face any adverse effects by clearing the cache data. No doubt, you will lose all the progress of your current downloads. Furthermore, make sure you are aware of your Steam credentials. Because, as soon as you clear the cache data, you will be logged out of your account automatically. So, you will have to log in again using your username and password.

Clearing cache data will also remove any mod you have installed on either of your games. For instance, if you have installed a mod on GTA 5, it will get automatically deleted as soon as you clear the cache data. So, make sure you have backed up all the mods installed in different games before you proceed further in the article.

Nevertheless, here’s what you need to do to clear Steam Cache Data.

1. Head over to the “Steam” app on your system.
2. If you are using a Windows PC, in the Steam menu, tap on “Settings.” And if you are using a Mac, you will have to tap on “Preferences”.
3. A new window will pop up. Tap on “Downloads.”
4. Now, just tap on “Clear Download Cache”.
   

It’s surprising, but yes, it’s that simple to clear cache data on Steam. As mentioned, you will now be logged out of your account. Now enter your credentials to log into your account.

Once logged in, check if the connection issue is fixed or not.

Fix 2: Remove 3rd Party Antivirus Program

Many third-party antivirus programs have the tendency to interfere in the smooth functioning of Steam. It can cause different issues in the platform including randomly getting disconnected from the internet problem. Thus, make sure you disable or remove any third-party antivirus program that you have installed on your system.

Note: You should only continue with this method if prefer playing games on Steam more than the overall health of your system.

1. Press the Windows key from your keyboard to open the Start menu on the system.
2. In the search bar, type the “Control panel” and press enter.
3. Click on “Uninstall a Program” present under the “Programs” option. Here you will have the list of all the installed applications on the system.
4. Right-click on the name of the third-party antivirus program that you have installed on your system, and choose the “Uninstall” option.

That’s it. Now restart your system, check if the connection issue is resolved with the Steam Client or not.

Fix 3: Flush DNS

Flushing the DNS settings is another effective way to fix the Steam randomly disconnecting problem. So, here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Open the Start Menu by pressing the Windows key.
2. In the search bar, type command prompt and click on the “Run as administrator” option present at the right panel of the screen.
3. In the command prompt window, type the below-mentioned commands and press enter.

ipconfig /release 

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew 

netsh int ip reset 

netsh winsock reset

Now, the command prompt will take a few seconds to execute the command. Once completed, restart your Windows PC and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Fix 4: Change Firewall Settings

Sometimes Windows Firewall can also can the mentioned issue. In such a case, you can change the settings and check if it makes any difference. To do so, here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Press Windows + S shortcut key to open the start menu.
2. In the search bar type Windows Defender Firewall, and press enter.
3. Click on the “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” option present at the left panel of the screen.
   
4. In the window that pops up, select, the “Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” option.
   
5. Lastly, click on ” Ok” to save the applied settings and exit the window.

Now, check if the problem is fixed or not.

Fix 5: Download Latest Network Driver

If you haven’t downloaded the latest network driver, then also you are most likely to deal with the issue. To download the latest network drivers on your system, follow the below steps.

1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
2. Now in the search bar, type Device Manager and press enter.
3. The Device Manager window will pop up.
4. Double-tap on “Network Adaptors” to expand the option.
5. Now, right-click on WAN Miniport (IP), and select “Update”.
   
6. Repeat the same process with, WAN Miniport (PPTP), and WAN Miniport (IPv6) as well.

Once the update process is complete, restart your PC, launch Steam, and check if the connection issue is fixed or not.

Fix 6: Change DNS Server

Changing DNS is the best way to fix the Steam connection issue. Steam will keep on disconnecting from the internet at regular intervals if you are connected to a server. As a solution to it, make sure you are connected to the fastest DNS server. Google and Cloudfare’s public DNS are recommended DNS servers to play games on Steam. Nevertheless, these are the steps you need to follow to connect to a faster DNS server.

1. Open the Control Panel in Windows 11.

1. In the Control Panel, go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

1. Tap on “Change adapter settings” present in the left panel.
   

 

1. Right-click on the network via which you are connected, and select “Properties”.
   

 

1. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and tap on “Properties”.
2. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
3. Now, if you want to use the Google public DNS server, type “8.8.8.8” in the “Prefered DNS server” and “8.8.4.4” in the “Alternate DNS server.”
   
4. And type “1.1.1.1” in the Preferred DNS server box and “1.0.0.1” in the Alternate DNS server, to connect to Cloudfare’s public DNS server.

1. Once done, tap OK.

The above-mentioned settings will be helpful if you are on an IPv4 network. But if you are connected to an IPv6 network, follow the below-mentioned steps.

1. In the WiFi Properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and tap on “Properties”.
2. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
3. Now, if you want to use the Google public DNS server, type “2001:4860:4860::888” in the “Prefered DNS server” and “2001:4860:4860::8844” in the “Alternate DNS server.”
   
4. And type “2606:4700:4700::1111” in the Preferred DNS server box and “2606:4700:4700::1001” in the Alternate DNS server, to connect to Cloudfare’s public DNS server.

Now re-launch Steam, and check whether the connection issue is fixed or not.

Fix 7: Modify Firewall Settings

If you are still facing the problem, the last thing you can try is to modify the Firewall Settings. To do so, here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Head over to the Windows 11 settings by pressing the Windows + I shortcut key.

1. On the left panel of the screen, click on “Privacy and Security.”
2. In the Privacy and Security window, tap on Windows Security.
3. Now, click on Firewall and network protection.
   
4. A new window will pop up containing all the firewall settings.
5. Tap on the “Allow an app through the firewall” option.
   
6. Click on “Change settings”.
   
7. Click on “Browse” and add the path of the “.exe” file of Steam.
   
8. Lastly, tap on “Add”.
   

This was how you could breach an application through the firewall settings. However, if you are still facing the problem, you can try disabling the firewall. Here are the steps to disable the firewall on Windows 11.

1. Come to the “Windows Security” page by following the above-mentioned steps.

1. Click on “Open Windows Security”.

1. In the new window that pops up, choose “Firewall & network protection”.
2. Click on “Public Network.”
   
3. On the following page, disable the Microsoft Defender Firewall by tapping on the toggle bar.
   
4. Click on “Yes” to the confirmation window that pops up.

Launch Steam and you’ll notice that you are no longer facing the connection issue.

Final Words

This was all about how to fix the Steam disconnecting randomly problem. Let us know in the comments whether the problem is fixed or not. You can also share any other workaround that you think will be helpful in the situation.