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Steam windows are going black? Here’s what to do
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Valve’s platform allows gamers to download and play games, make friends and interact with each other via the app. Unless theclientgets broken.
For some users, the Steamclient‘s windows go black, not allowing access to Store, Library, News, Friend list, and Profile sections.
We managed to come up with a series of fixes in order to help you fix the black screen on Steam for Windows, so be sure to check them out below.
Also, after making your screen properly work, we strongly recommend taking a look athow to use Steam Screenshot Manager.
Can I get Steam on a monitor without a PC?
Keep in mind that all Steam games run on a PC, so you can’t play them on a console or other smart device.
With just a monitor, all you have is a display, there’s no means for it to run games. In order to be able to play your favorite Steam games, you have to go with a Windows, Linux, or Apple computer.
What can I do if the Steam screen suddenly turns black?
1. Temporarily disable your antivirus software
In order to disable a specific antivirus program on Windows 10 or 11, generally, you can right-click the program icon at the right ofWindows taskbar, and chooseDisable.
If you’re not sure about how to perform the process for your own software, it is best to access the manufacturers’ official page and check the dedicated steps listed there.
Sometimes the cybersecurity measures you install on your PC can interfere with certain programs or applications, such as using Steam.
Even if this is not always recommended, a good solution is to temporarily disable your antivirus. On the other hand, if the problem persists, re-enable your antivirus and continue with the steps below.
2. Stop running Steam as administrator
Some Steam users have reported that if you stop running Steam as administrator, then the screen no longer goes black.
3. Update video card driver
Sometimes Windows can’t automatically find the latest drivers for your software, so a specialized tool such asOutbyte Driver Updatercan help you without the hassle.
4. Reinstall Steam
Although not necessarily desirable, as a last resort you can try reinstalling Steam. This will ensure that the black screen no longer appears when you start it up.
Also, be sure to check out our helpful guide dedicated tofixing common Steam errors on Windows 10.
Many users reported thatSteam Link is sometimes not going full screen, and if you’ll ever face this issue, make sure you follow some useful steps.
What other Steam issues can I encounter?
Of course, screen-related problems are not the only ones that you can face while running this app.
Because it’s important to be aware of some of the most common Steam issues, make sure you check the list below:
We hope that you could find our guide on how to fix the Steam black screen useful. If you know other working solutions, leave us a comment in the section below.
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
