Steam’s Linux client now requires glibc 2.31 or newer. Valve set that cutoff for August 15, 2025, so it has already taken effect. If your Linux system has an older glibc version, Valve says the Steam client will no longer run on it.
What changed, and what is affected?
The cutoff is based on the installed glibc version, not simply the name of your Linux distribution. Valve’s Steam for Linux Client README states: “Starting from 2025-08-15, glibc 2.31 or newer will be required.” Steam Support likewise says that after August 15, 2025, the Steam Client will no longer run on a version of glibc older than 2.31 (Steam Linux Support).
This concerns the Steam client on affected Linux systems. Valve’s statement does not establish that Linux as a whole has stopped supporting Steam, or that every Linux game has stopped working.
Which Linux distributions may be below the cutoff?
Valve names Debian 10, RHEL/CentOS 8, Slackware 14.x, and Ubuntu 18.04 as examples of older distributions affected by the change in its README. These examples are a warning to check your installed glibc, not a substitute for checking it: distribution releases and system configurations can differ.
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How to check whether your system meets the glibc requirement
- Open a terminal in your Linux environment.
- Run
ldd --versionto display the installed GNU C Library version. - Compare the version shown with 2.31. The Steam requirement is glibc 2.31 or newer; a lower version is below the stated cutoff.
If the command is unavailable or you are unsure how to interpret its output, consult your distribution’s documentation. Do not rely only on the distribution name.
What should you do if your glibc is older than 2.31?
Use a distribution version that meets the glibc requirement, following the official upgrade guidance for your current distribution. Valve recommends the latest Ubuntu LTS for Steam for Linux and cautions that older Ubuntu LTS branches may stop working in future client releases in its client README. Valve’s Steamworks guidance says the latest Ubuntu LTS receives the most testing by Valve and the Linux community.
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Valve does not specify a separate upgrade procedure for each distribution named above. Before upgrading, check your distribution’s official documentation for a supported path from your current release; the right steps depend on that release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.glibc is not the only Linux requirement
Meeting the glibc threshold alone does not guarantee that Steam will work on every system. Valve also lists a 64-bit Linux kernel, plus both 64-bit and 32-bit glibc and graphics drivers, among the Steam for Linux requirements in its README. If Steam still fails after an operating-system upgrade, a separate driver or system requirement may be involved.
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