Steam must be running to play this game (SteamAPI_init() failed).

[Rubicon]

When trying to start the game I´m getting the "Steam must be running to play this game (SteamAPI_init() failed)." error...

Things I tried so far:

Running as an Administrator
Try different Windows compatibility modes
Reinstall the Game
Restart Steam
Restart Computer
Veryfiy the Game Files
Clean Steam chache files
Install the game at C:\programm files
Start via shortcut

Nothing worked...
My System: Win 8.1, I7 3770 CPU, Nvidia GTX 960, 8 gig. RAM

Any help appreciated

[Kacper]

Ok! let us look in to it. Did you launch the game from Steam?

[DIAMOND]

I had this problem with another game...

Try to copy the steam_api.dll and steam.dll to the game folder.

I'm not 100% sure if it will work, but try it :)

[Rubicon]

I launched the game from Steam and also tried to run the game from the steam dirctory as an administrator

Edit:
Moving the steam.dll to the game folder didnt work either.....

[Rubicon]

Finaly I solved the problem, it was Steam related
Found the solution in an old post :

Автор сообщения: JayceM

First try this:

Exit Steam

Go to your steam folder directory, and delete everything except:

Steam.exe (also known as the application under 'type)
Steamapps (contains your game files)
Userdata (This is optional, as it contains game saves for *some* games)

Launch Steam again, and re-test the issues.

[frankjoss]

Same (SteamAPI_init() failed problem
JayceM's soluce seem's a bit drastic
Any ideas Kacper ?
Windows 10
8 Go RAm
Phenom X4
GTx 650

[brodacious]

i have the same problem how do i fix

[brodacious]

windows 7

[Leh]

buy the game again '-'

[Veruyo]

Check your firewall settings. My Comodo had put Scrap Mechanic in it´s sandbox.

[Maxicle]

help! i have this issue too! i have tryed evrything. please help!!

[PicSoul]

I had this issue but it seems to have fixed itself. Weird!

[Plume]

I sometimes have this issue (recently with Borderlands the presequel :o).
Rebooting steam fixed the issue.

[Tyger]

Restarting Steam seemed to work for me.

[YankelMyWankel]

I'm trying to run the dedicated server via installation with SteamCMD ... Having this issue.

[Laddan]

I think I know a soulotion to the problem:
Go on antivirus go on blocked programs and unblock any games/programs that you want to run

hope this helps!