Steam API (Application Program Interface) consists of multiple application program interfaces for retrieving various steam data and presenting it to users through the web, app, or the service owned and identified on your API key sign-up form. The API specifies how software components should interact.
The Steam API is one of the most appreciated and used gaming platforms. However, it has its own undesirable perks! This article will help tackle one such error known as the ‘Unable to initialize Steam API‘ error.
Also Read:
Contents
Causes of Unable to Initialize Steam API
‘Unable to initialize Steam API’, if you see this error appear on your computer screen, then you must understand that you are trying to run a game from your Steam game library without any results.
The causes for this error can differ from user to user, and there is no specific reason that could be held accountable for displaying this error. This error can appear for various reasons depending upon various factors related to the game you are trying to run or to the settings of your computer system.
However, we’ve tried our best to pen down a few common reasons that might be the cause of displaying this error on your computer screen:
- The Antivirus installed on your system might be blocking the .exe file from running by building a firewall against it.
- Also, your Windows firewall settings might cause Steam to refuse the internet connection.
- If you have Comodo Internet Security installed on your computer, it may also be the reason for preventing the game from running on your PC by directing it in the Auto-Containment list, just as it does for most of the games that are launched by Steam.
- If you are using the Steam Beta Client and receiving the updates ahead of time, then there’s a chance that these may contain bugs that could prevent the Steam from launching by displaying the ‘Unable to initialize Steam API error.’
If the above-mentioned causes match your query, you must refer the article to find effective solutions.
How to Fix Unable to Initialize Steam API Error
We have mentioned four solutions that would help our clients effectively. Follow a few simple steps to get your issue resolved in no time!
Solution 1: Make An Exception For The Game’s Executable In Your Firewall
The simple way to help your game execute on your computer system is by changing your antivirus settings. Hence changing the settings of the firewall which is blocking the execution of the game.
Step 1: Firstly, click on the Start button at the bottom of the screen and click on the cog-wheel icon to open Settings
Step 2: From the displayed icons, select the ‘Update and Security’ A new window will be opened.
Step 3: Look for the Windows Security option on the window’s left side and click on it.
Step 4: Select the option Firewall and Network Protection. A new window will open.
Step 5: Now click on the option, ‘Allow an app through firewall.’
Step 6: Once you have selected the above option, all you have to do is find Steam or the game application in the displayed list and then set it to be allowed through a firewall by marking the checkbox.
Step 7: Lastly, click on OK and further restart your PC again to apply these settings successfully.
If, by any chance, the above procedure is not helpful in warding off the error, then you can go for other solutions listed below:
Solution 2: Opt-out Steam Beta and Restart Steam
Clients having Steam Beta on their computer systems receive the updates which are ahead of time, and there’s a chance that these may contain bugs that are responsible for blocking the execution of the games on your PC.
To avoid this, the solution is to disable Steam Beta by using the steps below:
Step 1: Look for the Steam icon on the desktop screen or search for it in the search bar and open it.
Step 2: A new window will appear on the screen. From the menu bar, select the option Steam and further select the Settings option.
Step 3: Now, in the Account tab, select the option Change.
Step 4: In the new window, look under Beta participation and click the down arrow to open a dropdown menu.
Step 5: From the dropdown menu, select the option, NONE- Opt-out of all beta programs.
Step 6: This is an important step, to exit Steam completely, you must go to the Steam option on the menu bar. Select the EXIT option rather than clicking the cross icon on the top right.
Step 7: Now, right-click on the Windows icon at the bottom and select the option Task Manager.
Step 8: It would open a new window showing all running processes on your PC. Now click on More Details at the bottom of the window.
Step 9: A list of all the programs is displayed. Now search for programs such as Steam Client Bootstrapper, Steam.exe, and for each of them, click on End process and further click on Yes.
Step 10: Lastly, restart your PC to apply the changes to your system.
If you have Comodo Internet Security installed on your PC, then you should refer our next solution.
Solution 3: Disable Auto-Containment on Comodo Internet Security
This solution is as simple as the first one. You just have to make sure that the firewall created by the Comodo antivirus doesn’t block the execution of your game. To do that, you just need to follow a few simple steps:
Step 1: Open the Comodo Internet Security application and go to the Settings window.
Step 2: Now, in the Settings window, look for the Containment tab. Click on the down arrow and, from the given options, choose the Auto-Containment option.
Step 3: Now, uncheck the checkbox of Enable Auto-Containment. Or else you can just find the gaming program in the list. Then turn the slider off to disable the Auto-Containment.
Step 4: Click on OK to confirm the changes and restart your system to apply the changes.
If you are still unsatisfied with the above solutions’ results, then this would be the last solution that we would suggest you do. But we sincerely believe that the above methods are much simpler and less time consuming than this one.
Solution 4: Reinstall Steam
If you are left with no other option, then this is the last thing you could do to help your game execute successfully on your PC.
Step 1: Open the Steam application by clicking on its icon or by searching in the search bar. Now click on the Steam button in the upper left corner and Exit steam (do not press the cross icon in the upper right corner)
Step 2: Once you have exited Steam completely, go to start and then go to Computer. In the Computer window, the default location for the Steam folder is Local Disk C. Open it by double-clicking and now the default folder in Program Files (x86).
Step 3: Open the folder Programs Files (x86) and find, ‘Steam’ folder and open it and find the ‘SteamApps‘ folder.
Note: Do not delete the SteamApps folder & the steam application.
Step 4: Delete the rest of the files and launch the Steam application by clicking on it. It will start updating.
Step 5: A new Steam window will open. Choose ‘Login to an Existing Account,’Â type in your Account Name and Password. A tab appears on the screen showing, ‘Updating Steam Information.’
Step 6: Once it is done, a new Steam window will appear. Now go to Library and click on All Games to see the list of all the games you’ve installed.
Step 7: The games that are saved on other drivers are not showing up in the list: click on the game and press the Install button. Then select the drive by clicking the down arrow and folder from the list. Next, press the Select button, and the game would show up in the Library.
Also Read:
Conclusion
The above four solutions have helped different clients according to their system’s needs and purposes. So firstly we recommend you to analyze your problem properly. Then go for the most suitable solution for these four solutions. It will help you to get the issue resolved effectively and in no time.
