Steam Error -118 usually means the client cannot reach or load a Steam web service, such as the Store or Community. It is not generally a game-file or graphics-driver error, and Valve does not publish a definitive code-specific explanation. The cause may be Steam maintenance, DNS or routing trouble, a firewall or proxy, or the Steam client itself. First test Steam in a browser and on another network; those checks show whether to troubleshoot your PC, home network, or Steam availability.
First find out where the connection is failing
Before changing DNS or security settings, compare the Steam client with a browser and, if possible, another network. Steam’s connectivity guidance lists local network configuration, interfering programs, ISP problems, and maintenance or outages among possible causes: Steam connectivity troubleshooting.
- Open the Steam Store and Community in a regular browser. If both load there but not in the client, focus on the client and local security software.
- Try Steam on another device connected to the same Wi-Fi. If multiple devices fail, suspect the router, ISP, network filtering, or Steam availability.
- If practical, connect the affected PC to a phone hotspot and test again. If Steam works on the hotspot but not home Wi-Fi, investigate the home network rather than reinstalling Steam.
- Check Valve’s guidance for Steam server unavailability and maintenance. If Steam is experiencing a service problem, waiting is more useful than changing PC settings.
| What you observe | Likely area to investigate |
|---|---|
| Browser and client both fail on one network | Network resolution, routing, filtering, firewall, or Steam availability |
| Browser works but the Steam client fails | Client process, embedded web component, proxy, or security software |
| Library works but Store or Community does not | Steam web-service connectivity rather than installed game files |
| Hotspot works but home Wi-Fi fails | Home router, DNS, ISP routing, or network controls |
| Only one PC fails | That PC’s firewall, proxy, DNS cache, or Steam client |
| Every device on the network fails | Router, ISP, network policy, or a Steam-side issue |
Try the quick, reversible fixes
Fully exit and reopen Steam
- In Steam, select Steam > Exit.
- If it did not close normally, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and end remaining Steam processes.
- Reopen Steam and test the Store or Community.
Closing the window may leave Steam running in the background. End only Steam processes; do not delete client folders as an initial troubleshooting step.
Restart the modem and router
Exit Steam, restart the modem and router, and wait until the connection is stable before reopening Steam. This is especially relevant if several devices are affected or other websites also load inconsistently.
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Check Windows date and time
If browsers show certificate warnings or several secure websites fail, open Windows date and time settings, enable automatic time and time-zone settings, and synchronize the clock. Then restart Steam. Incorrect system time can disrupt secure connections, but this is a secondary check rather than a specific Error -118 fix.
If Steam works on a hotspot but not home Wi-Fi
Flush Windows’ DNS cache
Open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfig /flushdnsRun Command Prompt as administrator if Windows requests elevated permission. Windows should report that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed. This clears locally cached name-resolution data; it does not repair a Steam outage, a blocked connection, or an ISP problem.
Test a different DNS resolver
If flushing the cache changes nothing, you can temporarily test another DNS resolver. The following addresses are examples cited in an unofficial Steam Community troubleshooting guide, not a Valve requirement:
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|---|---|---|
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| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 |
Record your current settings before changing them. Windows 10 and Windows 11 menu labels may differ; use your network adapter’s DNS settings and restore the recorded values if the test does not help. A different resolver may help if your current resolver is returning stale, failed, or filtered results. It will not fix an outage, firewall block, captive-portal login, or broken internet connection. The addresses are alternatives to test, not a guarantee of better speed or safety.
Check router controls and ask your ISP if needed
Review parental controls, content filters, and other router rules that may block Steam. If Steam still works on a hotspot but not on the home connection after basic checks, ask your ISP whether it is having a routing or DNS issue.
If the browser works but the Steam client does not
Focus on the client and software that filters its connections. Fully exit Steam first, then check whether a proxy or security product is interfering. Avoid deleting arbitrary Steam files or relying on old instructions for a web-browser cache control; client menus and behavior can change.
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Check firewall and security software without leaving protection off
Valve provides firewall troubleshooting guidance. On Windows, open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall and confirm Steam is allowed for the network types you actually use. If you have third-party antivirus or endpoint-security software, check its application or network-blocking logs for the specific Steam process or connection.
Do not leave Windows Firewall disabled, create broad disk-wide exclusions, or allow unrelated executables just because they are in the Steam folder. If you temporarily disable a security feature to isolate a block, restore it immediately after the test. Prefer a narrow permission for the identified Steam component.
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Check proxy and VPN settings carefully
Remove an unnecessary proxy
In Windows, check Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Disable a manually configured proxy only if you do not need it for work, school, or another organization. An optional Command Prompt diagnostic is:
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netsh winhttp reset proxyThis resets the WinHTTP proxy configuration and may affect other applications that rely on it. It is not a universal Steam fix; note existing settings first and do not reset an organization-managed configuration without approval.
Use a VPN only as a temporary diagnostic
A VPN can help distinguish a local ISP-routing problem from a client problem, but it can also add latency, trigger security checks, and obscure the cause. It is not the preferred permanent fix. Do not use one to bypass regional restrictions or to make purchases in a way that conflicts with Steam’s terms. The unofficial Steam Community guide also cautions against VPN use for bypassing restrictions and purchases.
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Managed and public networks may require a captive-portal login or restrict Steam connections. Sign in to the network portal if one is presented. If Steam remains blocked, contact the network administrator rather than trying to bypass its rules. Valve’s network connectivity documentation is the right reference for current connection requirements; avoid relying on a static port list that may be outdated.
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When to contact Steam Support or stop troubleshooting
Contact Steam Support if -118 continues across multiple networks, the client and browser both fail for an extended period, or the problem involves sign-in, account restrictions, or security warnings. Include when the issue began, whether the browser works, whether another network works, what network changes you tried, and screenshots of the error. Contact your ISP if the hotspot test isolates the problem to your home connection.
Reinstalling Steam is a last resort: it consumes time and bandwidth and cannot resolve an outage, DNS, router, or ISP fault. Try it only after network, firewall, and proxy checks point to a client-specific problem. Protect your Steam library folders and account credentials, and do not remove library data while reinstalling the client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Error -118 caused by slow internet?
Not necessarily. A stable connection can still have a DNS, routing, filtering, firewall, or Steam-side problem.
Is Error -118 the same as Error 138?
No. They are distinct Steam error codes; do not treat troubleshooting for one as a definitive explanation for the other.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
Should I disable my firewall to fix it?
No. Check whether Steam is permitted and inspect security logs; do not leave firewall protection disabled.
Does reinstalling Steam usually fix Error -118?
It is a last resort for a client-specific problem, not a remedy for a Steam outage or network fault.
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