When you try to connect to your Steam account, you will see that Steam client bootstrapper not responding or that Steam is not responding. In a nutshell, it may cease responding for no apparent cause. Bootstrapper is a required service, so you will be unable to execute the launcher if there is a problem with it. This may happen because we have different hardware and configurations on our desktops. Continue reading to fix Steam client bootstrapper not starting issue.
How to Fix Steam Client Bootstrapper Not Responding in Windows 10
We’ve put up a list of all the possible methods to fix Steam client bootstrapper not starting issue, beginning with the most effective and easy ones. So, work your way down in the same order.
Basic Troubleshooting Methods
Before going through the advanced troubleshooting methods, follow these basic preliminary steps to fix the issue.
1. Restart PC
Simply restarting your computer might sometimes resolve Steam client bootstrapper not responding. So, just restart your computer and use only the steam program to ensure a smooth running experience.
1. Press the Windows key.
2. Then, click on the power button.
3. Select the Restart option.
2. Reconnect to Internet
The bootstrapper relies on the internet. Sometimes obstacles or sluggish internet are to be blamed for Steam client bootstrapper not responding 2016. Disconnect and rejoin the internet to repair Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue. Close all active windows on your computer and relaunch the Steam client. I hope this solution helps those who are having internet problems.
Here are the possible troubleshooting methods to solve the problem.
Method 1: Run Steam as Administrator
Steam probably lacks the specific authorities required to launch, which is why the bootstrapper fails to load in this scenario. You might try running Steam as an administrator.
Option I: Through Context Menu
1. Go to This PC and double-click on Local Disk C.
2. Double-click on the Program Files(x86).
3. Then, open the Steam folder.
4. Right-click on the Steam app and select Run as administrator.
This will give Steam all of the rights it requires, and it should start up normally.
Option II: Through Compatibility Properties
Your system may have a problem where Steam client bootstrapper not responding due to compatibility concerns. Here’s how to run Steam in compatibility mode.
1. Navigate to the Steam app folder.
2. Right-click on the Steam.exe shortcut and select Properties.
3. Go to Compatibility Tab.
4. Make sure to uncheck the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for. Click on Apply and OK.
5. Launch Steam with administrator privileges.
Check if Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue persists or not.
Method 2: Run Big Picture Mode
If you see Steam client bootstrapper not responding when trying to install a game, try running Steam in Big Picture Mode. This is not a solution rather, it is a workaround that has worked for many users and may work for you.
1. Hit the Windows key, type Steam, and click on Open.
2. Click on the View menu, then select Big Picture Mode.
Method 3: Update Date and Time Settings
If the date and time settings are wrong, the server security certificate may look suspicious to network services, and they may refuse to enable the machine to connect to that server. As a result, we’ll update the Date and Time Settings. Follow the given steps to fix Steam client bootstrapper not starting issue by updating the date and time setting.
1. Press the Windows + I keys together to launch the Settings.
2. Select the Time & Language setting.
3. Now, scroll down and select the Add clocks for different time zones option from the right pane.
4. Switch to the Internet Time tab in the pop-up window and choose Change settings.
5. Check the Synchronize with an Internet time server option in the Internet Time Settings window, and then select an internet server from the following screen.
6. Close the window by clicking the Update Now button in the following window.
Check to see whether this resolves the Steam client problem.
Method 4: Update GPU Drivers
The issue of steam client bootstrapper not responding can also be caused by outdated graphics drivers. To fix the issue, make sure the drivers are up to date. As a result, in this step, we’ll try to upgrade the GPU drivers in the hopes of resolving the problem. Read our guide on 4 ways to update Graphics Driver in Windows 10.
Method 5: Clear Download Cache
The data from update files and download files accumulate, causing the Steam client to become overloaded. Steam client bootstrapper not responding error happens as a result. To address the Bootstrapper problem, we should try emptying the download cache.
1. Launch the Steam app from Windows Search.
2. Go to Settings.
2. In the Settings panel, look for Downloads.
3. Click on the Clear Download Cache button. After a few moments, Steam will ask for your login credentials.
4. Click OK to confirm your decision.
Steam will start as anticipated after signing in again.
Method 6: Disable Cortana
Cortana may occasionally collide with your program. It is also messing with the Steam client program for many users. As a result, you should disable Cortana to fix the problem.
1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and hit the Enter key to launch Registry Editor.
3. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
4. Navigate to the following folder path in the Registry Editor.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Note: It’s possible that you won’t locate a folder called Windows Search. If that’s the case, you may make one by yourself as shown below.
5. Right-click on Windows key folder and select New > Key option.
6. When you’re in Windows Search, right-click on a blank spot, click on new, and choose DWORD (32 bit) from the drop-down menu.
7. Following the selection of the choice, a new listing will emerge, ready to be titled. Name it AllowCortana.
8. After you’ve given it a name, double-click it to make sure the Value Data is set to 0.
9. Restart your computer after closing the Registry Editor.
10. Cortana will be long gone, and you may use Run as administrator to open Steam.
Note: If this method doesn’t work and you want Cortana back, open the Registry Editor and remove the folder we just created. Cortana should be available again after restarting your computer.
Method 7: Disable VPN and Proxy Server
Steam has recently recognized several apps that provide masking or VPN services as being incompatible with Steam. VPN apps can be temporarily disabled or uninstalled. Read our guide on How to Disable VPN and Proxy on Windows 10 to do so.
Method 8: Reset Winsock
Winsock is a critical component for Web applications that handles input and output requests. You won’t be able to connect to Steam if there is a bug in it. As a result, try deleting it to address the problem of Steam client bootstrapper not starting.
1. Search for cmd in the Windows search bar. Click on Run as administrator.
2. Execute the following command now.
netsh winsock reset
3. If it doesn’t work, try issuing the command below.
netsh winsock reset catalog
4. If nothing of the above commands worked for you, try these instead.
netsh int ip reset reset.log hit ipconfig / release ipconfig / renew
5. Restart your computer after that to see whether the problem persists.
Method 9: Reset IP Settings
Even though you can ping a machine on your network, if your TCP/IP settings on your computer are glitched or bugged, you won’t be able to fetch some webpages correctly, and your internet will function for some addresses but not for others. Read our guide on How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Problems on Windows 10 to do so.
Method 10: Add Exception in Antivirus
There are several options for adding steam as an exception to antivirus software. If you don’t see your preferred antivirus listed below, go to its official website and follow the instructions. We have shown McAfee LiveSafe Antivirus as an example. In McAfee Antivirus, The only option is to turn off your antivirus completely till the game is updated. Follow the steps listed below to fix Steam client bootstrapper not starting issue.
1. Hit the Windows key, type McAfee LiveSafe and click on Open.
2. Click on the three lines on the top left side.
3. Then, click on My Protection.
4. Next, click on Real-Time Scanning.
5. Finally, click on Turn off.
6. Then, to ensure the integrity of game files, follow the steps below. Read our guide on How to Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam to do so.
Method 11: Disable Antivirus Program (If Applicable)
Most antivirus systems will block files connected to the Steam application. As a result, it is suggested that you temporarily disable your antivirus application before attempting to start the Steam Client. Read our guide on How to Disable Antivirus Temporarily on Windows 10 to do so.
Method 12: Disconnect Xbox 360 Controller
This problem may be caused by a conflict between the Steam beta and the Xbox 360 controller. The Xbox 360 (and even PS4) controller seems to have a glitch in the Steam beta. Follow the instructions below to fix Steam client bootstrapper not starting issue.
1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously.
2. Right-click on the Steam process and select End task. This guarantees that the modifications we make are permanent and stored and that the client does not exhibit any problems when we relaunch it.
3. Disconnect your controller from the port after all the processes have been closed, and close any open apps that manage the controller hardware.
4. To opt-out of the Steam beta, refresh your screen and go to the next step.
Note: If you opt out of beta, you will not get updates until they are officially released. The beta phase offers both advantages and disadvantages. You get to test out new features before they’re officially published a few months later; but, upgrades may still be problematic and cause you troubles. Attaching a controller causes Steam to crash in this situation.
5. Launch the Steam app, click on the Steam menu in the upper left corner, and select Settings.
6. When you’re in the settings, select Account. There is an option called Beta participation here. We need to make sure your client isn’t in any beta testing.
7. Click on Change.
8. Choose NONE- Opt-out of all beta programs option.
9. Then, terminate all Steam processes.
10. Next, restart your PC and relaunch Steam. If you were a beta tester, your client will need to upgrade before you can play your games again.
If you have any difficulties opting out of beta, go to your directory and remove the beta files there. Follow the steps below to do so.
11. Go to This PC and double-click on Local Disk C.
12. Double-click on Program Files(x86).
13. Double-click on the Steam folder.
14. Click on the Package folder.
15. Delete any files that begin with beta in the Package folder.
16. Close the window and restart the Steam client, then follow the instructions in step 4 to opt out of the beta program.
Method 13: Delete Config File
We can easily delete the config file from the PC, and Steam should immediately generate it without losing any data. However, you may see that some of your choices have been reset. To do this, you must:
1. Navigate to the Steam folder.
2. Double-click on userdata.
3. Double-click on the subfolder, then open the config folder.
4. Inside this folder, there should be a localconfig.vdf file, which might be substituted with your username or a random number, but there will almost surely be a .cfg file.
5. To delete this file from your computer, right-click on it and select Delete.
Check to verify if the problem still exists after relaunching Steam.
Method 14: Reinstall Steam
If nothing else works, we’ll have to go to the last option, which is to reload the Steam Client. So, remove Steam from Windows Settings, then download and install a fresh copy on your PC. It should, hopefully, address the problem of Steam client bootstrapper not starting.
1. Press the Windows key, type control panel, and hit the Enter key.
2. Select the option Category in the View by drop-down menu in the top-right corner and select the option Uninstall a program under the Programs section in the menu.
3. Select the Steam app in the list and click on the Uninstall button at the top bar to initiate uninstalling the Steam app.
4. Click on the Uninstall button on the Steam Uninstall window to uninstall the Steam app on your PC.
5. Delete the Steam folder in the location path Local Disk (C:) > Program Files (x86) by pressing the Delete key.
The steps explained below will help you reinstall the Steam app on your PC from scratch.
6. Open the official website of the Steam app on your default web browser and click on the Install Steam button on the top-right corner of the home page.
7. Click on the INSTALL STEAM button on the next page to download the Steam app on your PC.
8. Click on the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file in the bottom-left corner of the page to launch the Steam app on your PC.
9. Click on the Next button on the Steam Setup window to initiate the setup of your Steam app on your PC.
10. Select the language of your choice in the next window and click on the Next button in the wizard.
11. Select the destination folder of the Steam app by clicking on the Browse… button and clicking on the Install button to complete the installation of the app.
12. Click on the Finish button on the Completing Steam Setup window to complete the steam setup.
13. Create a new account or log in to your existing account using the login credentials on the Steam app.
The Steam Client issue might be solved by replacing the drive where Steam is installed. This procedure is identical to reinstalling, except that before re-downloading Steam, you must first change the intended location. Before you begin, make a backup of your files in case something goes wrong and follow the above steps to install Steam in a different location.
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We hope you found this information useful and that you were able to fix Steam client bootstrapper not responding in Windows 10. Please let us know which technique was the most beneficial for you. Please use the form below if you have any queries or comments.