Origin requiring key code to play

[Bunkagunk]

Hey Guys! As soon as I click play on steam, it pops up on origin saying activate unidentified game, and requires a key code to activate. Anybody having this same issue? Most of the forum posts with similar issues are over 3 years old, and come to no solid conclusions.

[adamiyam]

I already had an Origin account and had the same issue the first time I tried to run the same from Steam. I had already linked my Steam account to my Origin account and had both programs open. After being unable to find a key in any E-mails or Steam account pages, I just clicked Cancel on Origin's activation windows and the game had appeared in my Origin library, with the Steam icon on the game image. I am now able to start the game through either Origin or Steam (which seems to open Origin in the background anyway) without issue. Not sure if that's any help to you though...

[Illes8]

Originally posted by adamiyam:

I already had an Origin account and had the same issue the first time I tried to run the same from Steam. I had already linked my Steam account to my Origin account and had both programs open. After being unable to find a key in any E-mails or Steam account pages, I just clicked Cancel on Origin's activation windows and the game had appeared in my Origin library, with the Steam icon on the game image. I am now able to start the game through either Origin or Steam (which seems to open Origin in the background anyway) without issue. Not sure if that's any help to you though...

How did you link your steam account to your Origin?

[Leowinhill]

same issue，and unsolved

[Chronoz]

yeah me too

[adamiyam]

Originally posted by Illeststyl:

How did you link your steam account to your Origin?

I'm afraid I can't 100% remember, but I think it was through an option in Origin? Clicking "EA Account & Billing" in Origin brings up a screen confirming the linked accounts, but I can't seem to find an equivalent in Steam. Sorry I can't be more help.

[adamiyam]

After looking a bit further, it looks like I might have linked my accounts when trying to play Apex Legends through Steam? I don't actually remember doing this (I only remember playing it directly though Origin but I might have just forgotten), but doing this is mentioned here (https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/apex-legends/apex-legends/preparing-to-play-apex-legends) and implied here (https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/account/linking-your-origin-account-with-your-psn-id-and-gamertag). If you have an Origin game on your computer, you could try adding it using the "Add a Non-Steam Game" button on Steam and seeing if any new options appear.

[Bunkagunk]

Originally posted by adamiyam:

After looking a bit further, it looks like I might have linked my accounts when trying to play Apex Legends through Steam? I don't actually remember doing this (I only remember playing it directly though Origin but I might have just forgotten), but doing this is mentioned here (https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/apex-legends/apex-legends/preparing-to-play-apex-legends) and implied here (https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/account/linking-your-origin-account-with-your-psn-id-and-gamertag). If you have an Origin game on your computer, you could try adding it using the "Add a Non-Steam Game" button on Steam and seeing if any new options appear.

That was absolutely my issue. I figured it out shortly after making the post - My steam account was linked to an alternate origin account that I haven't used in half a decade, after logging into that account, it worked right away! :D