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What Steam Error -118 means
Error -118 commonly appears when the Steam Store, Community, profiles, or other embedded web pages fail to load. The Library and installed games may remain usable because this error is not necessarily a game-launch problem. Other websites working normally does not rule out a Steam-specific connection issue: Steam depends on particular services and routes that can be affected independently.
Valve does not provide a dedicated definition or single fix for Error -118. Its network connectivity guidance and connection troubleshooting cover broader causes such as service availability, local network or ISP problems, and interfering software. Treat -118 as a symptom, not proof of a DNS failure.
First find out whether the fault is Steam, the client, or your network
Run these comparisons before making changes. They help narrow the cause and avoid reinstalling Steam or altering network settings unnecessarily.
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- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
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- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
- Check Steam’s servers unavailable or too busy support page. If Steam services are unavailable, wait and retry; local troubleshooting cannot restore a Steam-side outage.
- In a normal browser, open store.steampowered.com and steamcommunity.com. If both browser and client fail, consider service availability, DNS, ISP routing, firewall, proxy, or network restrictions. If the browser works but Steam does not, focus on the client, its web data, and its firewall rule.
- If possible, try Steam on another device connected to the same network, then try the affected PC on a permitted mobile hotspot. If the hotspot works but home Wi-Fi does not, the router, DNS resolver, ISP route, filtering, or network policy becomes more likely. If only one Steam feature fails, it may be a service-specific problem or client web data rather than a general internet failure.
- Ask a friend on a different connection whether the same Steam pages load. A third-party status checker can be another signal, but it is not definitive.
Restart Steam and your network equipment
Fully exit and reopen Steam
- In Steam, select Steam > Exit.
- Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. End any remaining
steam.exeorsteamwebhelper.exeprocesses. - Relaunch Steam and test the Store and Community.
Closing the window may leave Steam processes running. Ending them can clear a stuck client session, but it does not repair an underlying connection or service problem.
Restart the modem and router
- Exit Steam and unplug the modem and router from power.
- Wait at least 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the modem first. Wait until it has re-established an internet connection, then reconnect the router.
- Reconnect the PC and test Steam.
This is more relevant if other devices on the connection are also affected. If only one computer has the error, focus on its settings and software. Microsoft also recommends restarting network equipment in its Windows connectivity guidance.
Reset Windows DNS and network settings
On Windows 10 or 11, use these commands if the problem persists and your comparison tests point to the PC or connection. They renew local network configuration and clear cached DNS records; they do not delete Steam games or account data.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
- Enter each command in order, pressing Enter after each:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsnetsh winsock resetresets the Winsock catalog used by applications for network communication.netsh int ip resetresets TCP/IP configuration.ipconfig /releasereleases the current DHCP address;ipconfig /renewrequests another.ipconfig /flushdnsclears locally cached DNS records.
- Restart Windows if prompted, then test Steam again.
Microsoft documents these commands in its network troubleshooting guide. The full Windows Network reset feature is more disruptive: it removes installed network adapters and resets their settings. Reserve it for later, particularly if you use VPN software, virtual adapters, custom network settings, or saved network profiles.
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- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Try a different DNS resolver
If clearing the DNS cache did not help, temporarily test another resolver. A different DNS service may help if your current one returns stale, incorrect, filtered, or unreachable results; it will not fix a Steam outage, a firewall block, or every ISP routing problem. The addresses below are examples, not a ranking or guaranteed Steam fix.
| Resolver | IPv4 primary | IPv4 secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 |
8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 |
1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 |
149.112.112.112 |
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then the active connection.
- Find DNS server assignment (the wording or location can differ by Windows build and adapter), choose its edit option, and enter the IPv4 addresses for one resolver.
- Save, restart Steam, and retest. If there is no improvement or other connections behave worse, return DNS assignment to Automatic.
If the exact Settings path differs, search Windows Settings for DNS server assignment. Steam’s network troubleshooting guidance also discusses reviewing or reverting DNS changes.
Check VPN, proxy, firewall, and security software
Test VPNs and proxies safely
Temporarily disconnect a VPN, system-wide proxy, traffic tunnel, network filter, or ad-blocking DNS service, then restart Steam. If Steam works on a hotspot or through a VPN but not on your usual connection, that points toward the original network’s route, DNS, filtering, or ISP—not proof that a VPN is the right permanent fix. A VPN can add latency and interfere with downloads, purchases, matchmaking, or account-security checks. Do not install an unfamiliar free VPN, or use one to bypass a school, workplace, parental-control, or ISP policy without authorization.
Allow Steam through Windows Firewall
Do not leave the firewall turned off. In Windows Security, open Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall, then allow the Steam client on the appropriate network profile. If Steam is already listed but the rule appears damaged, remove and add it again. Restart Steam and test. Microsoft recommends allowing a blocked app rather than disabling firewall protection; see its Firewall and network protection guidance and Steam’s firewall troubleshooting page.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Check other security tools
Third-party antivirus web shields, endpoint security, parental controls, and DNS-filtering tools can interfere with Steam pages. If you suspect one, temporarily pause only the relevant network or web-protection feature, test once, and immediately turn it back on. If that identifies the cause, create a narrow Steam exception instead of leaving protection disabled. On a managed PC, ask the administrator before changing security controls.
Refresh Steam’s embedded web data and check beta participation
This branch is most useful when Steam pages work in a browser but fail inside the client. Use Steam’s built-in option to delete web-browser data if it is available in your installed version, then restart Steam and test again. Menu wording and location can change with client updates. Clearing embedded web data is different from clearing the download cache, which is primarily intended for download or update problems.
If you are using a Steam beta build, open Steam settings, find the beta-participation control, select the option to opt out, and restart the client. Also allow Steam to update normally. These are client-side troubleshooting steps, not guaranteed Error -118 fixes; community recommendations about web data and beta builds are anecdotal, not a dedicated Valve diagnosis (Steam Community discussion).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Investigate restricted networks and ISP problems
University, workplace, hotel, public Wi-Fi, and some managed home networks may use proxies, filters, or policies that block Steam traffic. Ask the network administrator whether Steam is allowed; do not try to bypass a policy. Steam lists ports relevant to login and downloading, including remote TCP 80 and 443 and remote TCP and UDP 27015–27050, in its required ports guidance. That page notes that university networks and proxies may block required ports.
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
These ranges are useful information for a network administrator, not a reason to forward every port on a home router. Store-page failures do not automatically require game-specific port forwarding, and unnecessary forwarding can reduce security. If Steam works on a permitted hotspot but not your ISP connection, contact the ISP with that comparison. If it fails only at particular times, record when it happens and test later; Steam notes that time-dependent failures can involve ISP blocking or traffic shaping (Steam network troubleshooting).
Advanced checks: hosts file, IPv6, and reinstalling
Inspect the hosts file only if there is evidence of blocking
The Windows hosts file is C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts. If Steam domains have been deliberately blocked or the file was recently changed, back it up and remove only clearly identified, unauthorized entries that block Steam. Do not replace the whole file with an online copy or add arbitrary Steam IP addresses. Ask an administrator before editing a managed computer. Hosts-file changes are an advanced possibility mentioned in community reports, not a standard Valve diagnosis (Steam Community discussion).
Use IPv6 only as a temporary diagnostic
Disabling IPv6 is not an established general fix for Error -118. If other checks point to an adapter-specific connectivity problem and you are comfortable changing network settings, record the original setting, temporarily disable IPv6 on the active adapter, restart and test, then re-enable IPv6 if there is no improvement.
Reinstall only after network causes are ruled out
Reinstalling Steam will not fix a Steam outage, blocked ISP route, proxy restriction, or DNS failure outside the PC. Before considering it, confirm the problem persists across networks and check firewall, security, and client-data causes. Back up important configuration and saved data, and preserve the steamapps folder if avoiding game redownloads matters. Use official Steam installation files; do not assume every setting or saved item will be preserved automatically.
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What to avoid
- Do not assume -118 means DNS is the cause or that a particular public DNS resolver will fix it.
- Do not leave Windows Firewall or antivirus protection disabled.
- Do not forward every Steam port on a home router as a routine Store-page fix.
- Do not treat a VPN as a guaranteed or permanent solution.
- Do not use unofficial “Steam repair” utilities, scripts, or random hosts-file replacements.
- Do not delete
steamappsor reinstall Steam while a wider outage or network restriction remains plausible.
When to contact Steam, your ISP, or a network administrator
- Contact Steam Support if the error persists across multiple networks after Steam services are available, or if account access, purchases, or a possible account compromise is involved.
- Contact your ISP if Steam works on a permitted hotspot but consistently fails on the ISP connection, especially if failures vary by time of day.
- Contact a school, workplace, hotel, or other network administrator if the issue occurs only on that managed connection or security settings are controlled centrally.
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