Solved: How to Fix Steam Error Code E8 on Windows PC

If you are facing Steam Error Code E8 on your Windows PC, don’t worry. In this article, we will provide you with comprehensive solutions to fix Steam Error Code E8.

Question/Problem Description

Steam is one of the most popular platforms for PC gaming that has a vast user base, but sometimes it can encounter errors that prevent you from enjoying your favorite games. Some Steam users encounter an error called Steam Error Code E8 while launching their games, this error usually occurs when you try to launch a game or update Steam. This error indicates that there is a problem with the Steam client or the game files, and it can be frustrating to deal with. This error can be frustrating, and it can prevent you from playing your favorite games. If you are one of those users who are facing this issue, don’t worry.

Fortunately, there are some possible solutions that you can try to fix this error and get back to gaming. In this blog post, we will elaborate in detail and in point form how to perform each solution for how to fix Steam Error Code E8 on Windows. Before you start, make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough disk space on your PC.

In this article, we will provide you with some easy and effective solutions to fix Steam Error Code E8 on your Windows PC.

What is Steam Error Code E8?

Steam Error Code E8 is a common error that occurs when Steam is unable to connect to its servers. This error usually appears when you try to launch a game on Steam, and it prevents you from accessing your game library. There can be many reasons behind this error, including network connectivity issues, Steam server problems, or a corrupted installation of Steam. When you encounter the E8 error, you will see a message that says “Steam Error Code E8 – Unable to connect to server.”

Potential Causes

There are several reasons why you might be experiencing Steam error E8. Some of the most common causes of this error include:

• Network issues: Poor internet connection or firewall settings can prevent Steam from connecting to the server, leading to the E8 error.
• Server problems: Sometimes, the Steam server might be down or experiencing issues, leading to the E8 error.
• Corrupted files: Corrupted game files can also cause the E8 error. If the game files are corrupted, Steam might not be able to connect to the server.
• Conflict between the Steam client and the antivirus software installed on your computer.

To fix this error, you need to identify the root cause of the problem. In the next few paragraphs, we will discuss some common causes of Steam Error Code E8 and provide you with solutions to fix them.

Pre-check

Check your internet connection

As mentioned earlier, one of the most common reasons behind Steam Error Code E8 is network connectivity issues. Therefore, the first thing you should do is check your internet connection. If your internet connection is unstable or slow, Steam may not be able to connect to its servers, resulting in the E8 error. Make sure your internet connection is stable, there are no firewall settings blocking Steam, and that you are able to access other websites and online services.

Check your login credentials

Make sure you are using the correct login credentials for your Steam account.

Solution 1: Disable VPNs and Windows Firewalls temporarily

If you are using a VPN or firewall, try disabling it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type control firewall.cpl and press the Enter.

Step 3: Click on the Turn Windows Firewall on or off on the left side of the window.

Step 4: Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option for both private and public networks.

Step 5: Click OK to save changes.

Solution 2: Add Steam.exe into Windows Firewall allow exception list

Step 1: Open the Start menu.

Step 2: Search for the Firewall, when Firewall & Network Protection appears, then click on it to open.

Step 3: Click the Allow an app through firewall.

Step 4: Click the Allow another app button.

Step 5: Click on the Browse option to select the Steam.exe file from the location you have installed Steam.

Step 6: Click on the Add button and Steam will be allowed full inbound and outbound access.

Solution 3: Restart Steam and your PC

Sometimes, the Steam client might have a temporary glitch that causes the E8 error. In such cases, a simple restart the Steam client can solve many issues with Steam and your PC. This can clear any temporary files or processes that might be interfering with Steam or the game. To do this:

Step 1: Exit Steam completely by clicking on Steam > Exit in the top-left corner of the Steam window.

Step 2: Restart your PC by clicking on Start > Power > Restart.

Step 3: Once your PC has rebooted, launch Steam again and try to run the game or update Steam.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 4: Restart/Power cycle your router or modem

To disconnect your internet router, locate the power button, which is typically situated at the rear of the device, and press it to turn off the router.

Step 1: Unplug the power cable of your router or modem from the power source.

Step 2: Wait for at least 2 – 3 minutes before plugging it back in.

Step 3: Plug the cable back into the power outlet and the router.

Step 4: Wait for your router or modem to fully restart before trying to connect to Steam again.

Solution 5: Use different network or wired connection instead of Wi-Fi

Connect your computer directly to your router using an Ethernet cable. Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

Solution 6: Use QR Sign-In

If you have a smartphone with a camera, you can use QR Sign-In to log in to your Steam account. To do this:

Step 1: Open the Steam app on your phone.

Step 2: Tap on the QR Sign-In on the login screen.

Step 3: Scan the QR code that appears on your computer screen.

Solution 7: Change the Target field in Steam client’s shortcut

Change the Target field in Steam client’s shortcut to resolve the login issue. Follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Right-click on Steam Client.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: Go to the Compatibility tab and then add -login -noreactlogin to the address in the Target field.

Step 4: Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Step 5: After changing the Target field, launch Steam and log in.

Solution 8: Run Steam as an administrator

Another possible cause of the Steam Error Code E8 is that Steam does not have enough permissions to access some files or folders on your PC. To fix this, you can try running Steam as an administrator, which will grant it full access to your system. To do this:

Step 1: Right-click on the Steam shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu and select Properties.

Step 2: In the Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.

Step 3: Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Step 4: Launch Steam again and try to run the game or update Steam.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 9: Clear Steam Download Cache

Another solution to fix Steam Error Code E8 is to clear the Steam download cache. Steam stores temporary files on your PC, and if these files become corrupted, it can cause errors like E8. To clear the Steam download cache, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Steam client and click on Steam in the top left corner.

Step 2: Select the Settings from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Click on Downloads.

Step 4: Click on Clear Download Cache button.

Step 5: Follow the prompts to clear the download cache.

Step 6: Restart the Steam client and try connecting again.

Solution 10: Verify the integrity of game files

Sometimes, the game files on your PC might be corrupted or missing, which can cause the Steam Error Code E8. To fix this, you can use the Steam feature called Verify Integrity of Game Files, which will scan and repair any damaged or missing game files automatically. To verify the integrity of game files on Steam, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch Steam client and go to your Library.

Step 2: Right-click on the game that is causing the E8 error and select Properties from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: In the Properties window, click on the Local Files tab.

Step 4: Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Step 5: Wait for the verification process to complete and then close the Properties window.

Step 6: Restart the Steam client and try connecting again to see if the error is gone.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 11: Update your graphics drivers

Another possible cause of the Steam Error Code E8 is that your graphics drivers are outdated or incompatible with Steam or the game. Graphics drivers are software that allow your PC to communicate with your graphics card and display images on your screen. To fix this, you can try updating your graphics drivers to the latest version available from your graphics card manufacturer’s website. To fix this error, you can update your drivers by following these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Device Manager.

Step 3: Identify your graphics card model and manufacturer by going to Device Manager > Display adapters and looking at the name of your graphics card.

Step 4: Right-click on the device that needs updating and select Update Driver.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.

Step 6: Alternatively, you can go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website and find the latest driver for your graphics card model and Windows version. Download and save the driver file on your PC.

Step 7: Run the driver file and follow the instructions on the screen to install the driver.

Step 8: Restart your PC and launch Steam again. Try to run the game or update Steam and see if the error is gone.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 12: Update Steam Client

Step 1: Open Steam and click Steam in the top-left corner of the window.

Step 2: Click the Check for Steam Client Updates.

Step 3: If there is an update available, click Download and Install.

Step 4: Wait for the update to finish installing before trying to connect to Steam again.

Solution 13: Uninstall and reinstall the Steam client

If none of the above solutions work, then there might be a problem with your Steam installation itself. In this case, you can try reinstalling Steam completely, which will remove any corrupted or outdated files and settings from your PC. However, before you do this, make sure you back up your game files so that you don’t lose any progress or data. To do this:

Step 1: Launch the Steam client.

Step 2: Go to Settings > Downloads > STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS.

Step 3: Note down the location of your Steam library folder, which is where your game files are stored. By default, it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.

Step 4: Exit Steam completely by clicking on Steam > Exit in the top-left corner of the Steam window.

Step 5: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features and find Steam in the list of programs.

Step 6: Right-click on it and select Uninstall.

Step 7: Follow the prompts to uninstall Steam from your computer.

Step 8: Download and install Steam from the official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is Steam error E8?
Answer: Steam error E8 is an error that occurs when the Steam client is unable to connect to the server. Steam Error E8 is an error that can occur due to conflicts between the Steam client and antivirus software, corrupt game files, outdated drivers, or issues with the network.

Question: Can Steam Error Code E8 be fixed on its own?
Answer: In most cases, Steam Error Code E8 cannot be fixed on its own. You need to take some troubleshooting steps to fix this error.

Question: Is it safe to disable my firewall or antivirus software temporarily?
Answer: It is safe to disable your firewall or antivirus software temporarily, but make sure to re-enable them once you have resolved the issue.

Question: How do I repair Steam client?
Answer: Performing a Steam repair is a straightforward process that can be achieved through the use of PowerShell commands. To begin, it is necessary to launch PowerShell with administrative privileges and confirm the UAC prompt by selecting “Yes”. Then, execute the prescribed command listed below to start the Steam service repair process:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe”/repair

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed some common solutions to fix Steam Error Code E8 on your Windows PC. Steam error E8 can be frustrating, but there are several potential solutions you can try. These include verifying your game files, updating your graphics drivers, disabling your antivirus software, resetting your Steam client, and contacting Steam support. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to gaming without interruption. We hope that these solutions will help you resolve the issue and get back to playing your favorite games on Steam.