invalid CD key

[Jack-Timbers]

Purchased a game in 2011 worked fine everytime I played it now I re download and it no longer works this is a game I purchased through steam so it should be a steam key. Steam support is absolutely useles

[Zekiran]

You might want to be MUCH more specific.

WHAT game? When did you delete the game from your hard drive? What computer were you last on that it ran on? How many updates to that computer's OS or drivers have occurred since that time?

[Kargor]

Or, in a more general way: publishers often stop supporting a game after a few years; a 2011 game might just have bugs that didn't cause problems back then, but prevent it from running properly now.

Usually, information can be found in the forum for the game, or on PCGamingWiki, or similar sites. This may or may not get you a working solution.

[ReBoot]

If you have the game on Steam, you domt need any CD key to install it.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

OP please be clear so others and understand, and can assist you.

A. Was this key for multiplayer access online activation? Or to activate a game that requires internet access? Either check the game servers are still online, or contact the game devs/pubs if still around for help.

B. Was this for GFWL? Can only be redeem once, and bound to account that you made with Microsoft.

C. Did you mistaken letters for numbers? Pay attention to O and zero, same with one and I or L, stuff like that.


Just to inform you, not all keys are Steam keys, if the game CD key was used to redeem the game, it was due to the game Dev/Pub putting the request to activate a key that used to redeem. Not all keys will be for Steam, so they may not work at all. Again since you said you claim your game, and got it, that's basically it for Steam, as Steam can't help you beyond that, such as game issue which they suggest asking in the game forum, or pointing you to google search for help, as game issue would need to be handle either seeking for help from community, or if account/key related only game Dev/pubs can help, as they have power over that when comes to their games.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Jack-Timbers:

Steam support is absolutely useles

Steam support is for account and billing issues, not individual games tech issues.

Please provide more information, so we can help.

[Tammy the Muffin]

Steam support is absolutely useless.

Steam has no need in giving you Steam cd-keys for games you purchace, those activate automatically when game is added to your library.

If you got a key when purchaced game via Steam, its a key for side services. Like, those who purchaced Elder Scrolls Online in 2014 got TESO in their library AND a cd-key to activate their accounts on Bethesda.

But there's a chance your game's dev was changed and new dev changed rules with disabling old accounts like it was with DC Universe Online. So game along with all purchaced DLCsis still in Steam Libabry, but when you trying to use your Steam account it shows you middle finger and tells you own nothing.

You better contact devs directly instead of Steam Support bots.

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by Kelthorian:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

If you have the game on Steam, you domt need any CD key to install it.

Yes you do depending on the game. IIRC my steam copy of Spellforce requiers a CD- key when launching it fof the first time after installation.

Ofc this purchase also came with a key which steam reminded me to enter before launching the application.

That wouldn't be a Steam key then. The OP is specifically rambling about it not being a valid Steam key.

[Tammy the Muffin]

OP purchased game in 2011, and it worked.
OP installed it in 2019, and it doesnt work anymore.
OP says some heresy about keys.

Maybe he changed OS in those 8 years? And game that worked fine on his, I dunno, Pentium 3, doesn't work on Win10 and modern hardware...

Who knows. OP tells nothing about what game he talking about or what error happens