Steam won't launch even in Safe Mode

[Divinitar]

Hello everyone,

I'm running Steam on Window 7 and recently I have encountered this error.
When I click on the Steam.exe, nothing happens, no preparing message, no Steam related process in Task Manager.
I have tried reinstalling Steam and also run in Safe mode with networking but there is no difference.
I'm using Intel(R) HD Graphic 4000 and all my drivers are up to date.
Could anybody help me troubleshooting the error?

[The Giving One]

What happens exactly, in detail, when you try to launch Steam in safe mode with networking ?

You do have "networking" enabled in the boot options menu, right ? Because your title only says "safe mode" when later you did say "with networking". It's important to make sure you do have "with networking" enabled.

[m3sla]

Press Win+R and type in steam://flushconfig, this might help

[Divinitar]

Thank you for your fast replies

Originally posted by The Giving One:

What happens exactly, in detail, when you try to launch Steam in safe mode with networking ?

You do have "networking" enabled in the boot options menu, right ? Because your title only says "safe mode" when later you did say "with networking". It's important to make sure you do have "with networking" enabled.

Yes, of course I ran Steam in Safe Mode with Networking included. But nothing happens even when I do that, no messages or process related to Steam appears in Task Manager.

Originally posted by m3sla:

Press Win+R and type in steam://flushconfig, this might help

I did that and nothing happens.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Divinitar:

Yes, of course I ran Steam in Safe Mode with Networking included. But nothing happens even when I do that, no messages or process related to Steam appears in Task Manager.

How are you trying to run Steam ? From a shortcut or directly from the .exe ?

Boot into safe mode with networking and stay there. You can post here while in this boot.

Download a new installer I have linked below (while in the safe boot or before) :

Now follow the instructions below, exactly. DO NOT uninstall Steam first.

Reinstall Steam

The Steam installer can be downloaded here: http://store.steampowered.com/about/ and reinstalled to the same location where it is already installed.

This may fix potential issues with Steam client and service files. Installing into same location will preserve all installed games.

WARNING! Uninstalling Steam will delete all game content.

DO NOT boot into normal Windows yet. After you install to the same path, post exactly what happens this time when you try to run Steam while still in safe mode with networking.

[Divinitar]

Originally posted by The Giving One:

How are you trying to run Steam ? From a shortcut or directly from the .exe ?

I have tried both, and nothing happens.

Originally posted by The Giving One:

Boot into safe mode with networking and stay there. You can post here while in this boot.

Download a new installer I have linked below (while in the safe boot or before) :

Now follow the instructions below, exactly. DO NOT uninstall Steam first.

Reinstall Steam

The Steam installer can be downloaded here: http://store.steampowered.com/about/ and reinstalled to the same location where it is already installed.

This may fix potential issues with Steam client and service files. Installing into same location will preserve all installed games.

WARNING! Uninstalling Steam will delete all game content.

DO NOT boot into normal Windows yet. After you install to the same path, post exactly what happens this time when you try to run Steam while still in safe mode with networking.

I'm posting this comment in Safe mode after having downloaded and reinstalled Steam in the same folder.
There's still nothing happens when I run Steam. My cursor only changes to waiting state for a split second and that's it.
Other apps are running fine.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Divinitar:

I'm posting this comment in Safe mode after having downloaded and reinstalled Steam in the same folder.

You mean safe mode "with networking", correct ? If you don't say "with networking", then it looks as if you are only using safe mode. And you cannot connect to the network at all if you don't have "with networking" enabled, as I am sure you know.

Post the exact computer you are using, model and model number. If it is custom built, post the exact motherboard, please.

Post if your Windows 7 is 32 or 64 bit, please.

How are you trying to connect to the internet ? Wireless or ethernet only ?

[Divinitar]

Originally posted by The Giving One:

You mean safe mode "with networking", correct ? If you don't say "with networking", then it looks as if you are only using safe mode. And you cannot connect to the network at all if you don't have "with networking" enabled, as I am sure you know.

Post the exact computer you are using, model and model number. If it is custom built, post the exact motherboard, please.

Post if your Windows 7 is 32 or 64 bit, please.

How are you trying to connect to the internet ? Wireless or ethernet only ?

Yes, always with networking.

I'm using HP 450 Laptop (D5J87PA). Since this problem only appeared recently, I don't think it's a problem with hardware.

My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

I have also switched to both Wireless and Ethernet, but no difference.

[The Giving One]

I am having issues searching that model. Go here, please :

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/laptops

Use the auto detect tool there and find your exact model. Then link that here, please.

Just to clarify, you are still seeing nothing whatsoever happen when trying to run Steam in safe mode with networking, directly from the Steam.exe file, and when at some point on ethernet only from the source unit (modem) directly to the computer ?

Is that correct ?

[Divinitar]

Originally posted by The Giving One:

I am having issues searching that model. Go here, please :

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/laptops

Use the auto detect tool there and find your exact model. Then link that here, please.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-450-notebook-pc/5224999/model/5225001?sku=D5J87PA

Originally posted by The Giving One:

Just to clarify, you are still seeing nothing whatsoever happen when trying to run Steam in safe mode with networking, directly from the Steam.exe file, and when at some point on ethernet only from the source unit (modem) directly to the computer ?

Is that correct ?

Yes, that's correct.

[The Giving One]

Thanks. Now are you absolutely sure that you have each and every device driver up to date found in the drop menu on that page ?

Originally posted by Divinitar:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-450-notebook-pc/5224999/model/5225001?sku=D5J87PA

I am not talking about GPU drivers, as you seem to mention in the OP.

Originally posted by Divinitar:

I'm using Intel(R) HD Graphic 4000 and all my drivers are up to date.

Are you sure your Windows Firewall is fully allowing Steam through ? I know you said you were using Steam fine before, but we are working the problem step by step, and even the simplest things need to be checked and covered, just in case.

Steam "should" run in safe mode with networking. Unless you have a firewall issue with the source unit or router, depending on if you are on ethernet or wireless.

[Divinitar]

@The Giving One

After I reinstall DirectX, my Steam is running normally again. Thank you for your advice anyway, I really appreciate the help.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Divinitar:

@The Giving One

After I reinstall DirectX, my Steam is running normally again. Thank you for your advice anyway, I really appreciate the help.

Hey, that's great. Thanks for replying what you did to fix it, as that can help others, perhaps. Take care and good luck to you always.