Using a VPN

[nicodemus_gw]

I've been getting conflicting information about using a VPN with Steam. I don't intent to change my region, so is it okay to use a VPN to access Steam, play games, or even buy games?

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by nicodemus_gw:

I've been getting conflicting information about using a VPN with Steam. I don't intent to change my region, so is it okay to use a VPN to access Steam, play games, or even buy games?

Don't use it to make purchases outside your state or bypass regional content outside your country.

[Wolf Knight]

using a VPN is USE AT OWN RISK. its not supported. so long as the VPN is not being used to change regions or mask what region you are actually in, steam does not care.

[Chika Ogiue]

A VPN won't help you buy from a region other than the one you're in. IP address no longer affects the store region of existing Steam accounts. However, it's probably not a good idea to attempt a purchase when connected to one. If Valve do detect the VPN during checkout, they are within their rights to limit your account, e.g., remove your ability to make further purchases, even if it isn't giving you an advantage.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:

A VPN won't help you buy from a region other than the one you're in. IP address no longer affects the store region of existing Steam accounts. However, it's probably not a good idea to attempt a purchase when connected to one. If Valve do detect the VPN during checkout, they are within their rights to limit your account, e.g., remove your ability to make further purchases, even if it isn't giving you an advantage.

I have never turned off my VPN. Valve doesn't care unless they find out you are using it to bypass regional restrictions or pricing.

[Quirckey]

It is not allowed to use a VPN on Steam based on your agreement.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by Chesmu:

It is not allowed to use a VPN on Steam based on your agreement.

You need to read it a bit more carefully.

[Chika Ogiue]

Originally posted by SlowMango:

I have never turned off my VPN. Valve doesn't care unless they find out you are using it to bypass regional restrictions or pricing.

As I said. If they detect it, they may choose to take action. With the change to the store system that removed IP address as a factor, Valve simply choose not to take action in the vast majority of situations. You'd have to be doing something really suspicious/dodgy these days for that to change.

Steam and I have a long history of VPN usage. And that at the suggestion of Valve themselves many years ago due to consistent problems they were having with their geofencing in my region.

[Quirckey]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Originally posted by Chesmu:

It is not allowed to use a VPN on Steam based on your agreement.

You need to read it a bit more carefully.

:qr:

You shuold too:

"You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to order or purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account."

[Boblin the Goblin]

Originally posted by Chesmu:

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

You need to read it a bit more carefully.

:qr:

You shuold too:

"You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to order or purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account."

Except Valve doesn't use IP to determine the place of your residence anymore. It's all determined by payment method.

So using a VPN doesn't disguise anything anymore.

Also, that description is only under the Payment Authorization section. That says the 'any other purpose' clause is tied to authorizing your payment on the store.

General VPN use does not interfere with that.

[( ( < < <20🤖1> > > ) )]

does say "may" and not "will" is this a question for steam support...

[Quirckey]

Originally posted by SlowMango:

Except Valve doesn't use IP to determine the place of your residence anymore. It's all determined by payment method.

So using a VPN doesn't disguise anything anymore.

If that's true, then yeah it can be used for some cases. Because the only reason it gives for not using one, is to not hide the place of your residence.

[Player]

Can you use vpn to Play online ?
I wanna use vpn to play AC: unity cuz it wont connect to my friends , will steam ban me for this ?

[blunus]

Originally posted by Knight:

Can you use vpn to Play online ?
I wanna use vpn to play AC: unity cuz it wont connect to my friends , will steam ban me for this ?

You can, yes. Valve only punishes people for bypassing regional restrictions to get items cheaper.

[DeadPhoenix]

I use a VPN all the time. I got DDoS a while back and decided to use a VPN to stop it from happening, plus it does hide your activity as well. But i don't use it to change regions. So i doubt it get banned for this.

[Watermelon {JESUS IS LORD}]

win11 has built in vpn so i doubt steam would ban it