Steam Bootstrap Error Fix Procedure

[oculus]

While attempting to start Steam I recieved a generic Bootstrap Error Message.

The error is quite common and no clear procedure for diagnosis and repair exist online.

Steam support only gives broad general advice which is largely inaccurate and not support for actually finding the source of the error or providing a fix.

Posting PC stats etc.. is largely a waste of time.

Learning to find errors and correct them accurately is much more useful and SIMPLE.

I have detailed the proper procedure for repair to diagnose and repair the issue for Windows Operating Systems.

1. Use Windows search features to locate Eventviewer.
2. View specific system error at the time Steam error occured,

there are multiple causes of this error message this is the easiest way to locate the source of any issue without formating your hardrive, reinstalling operating systems, deleting all data etc. this is a simple diagnositc procedure.

3. Google search Event ID revailed by Eventviewer
4. DO NOT INSTALL ANY REGISTRY ERROR PROGRAMS THESE ARE VIRUSES AND SCAMS.
5. Read details of Event ID on Google.
6. My specific Event ID was 1000 which indicated a DNS Error and Registry Errors
7. The fix was uninstalling HideMY IP a privacy software
8. Uninstall Steam Client Only (not games and data) the issue is with the connection from your machine to Steam.
9. Running CCcleaner and CCLeaner Registry Tools
10. Run Disk Cleanerup as Administrator
11. Open Command Prompt as Administrator, Type Ipconfig/ flushdns push enter, Type Ipconfig/ Renewall

This rendews all ip addresses and DNS records also useful for resolving connection issues.

12. NO RESTART REQUIRED

13. In my experience there is no benefit to running Steam in Compatibility mode if Steam was already operational on your machine with your operating system. Searching EVENT ID in EVENTVIEWER is the only way to locate the SPECIFIC cause of your problem. There can be many fragments of programs and processes operating on your machine. Using Taskmanager and Performance monitor assist greatly with locating processes which are contributing to errors that occur on your machine.

Anti-Virus and other programs are often blamed for errors however typically antivirus programs are not to blame for errors unless multiple antivirus programs or malware programs are in use at the same time.

Disabling startup programs in the Windows search bar using Msconfig can result in memory and ram not showing up.

To solve this error be sure maximum processors and maximum ram ARE NOT checked or all memory will not show up and the machine will run slowely.

Startup programs can also be disabled in Taskmanager

Restricting startup programs eliminates sources of errors and contamination as well as improves performance.

Many Fixes online call for multiple restarts, starting in safe mode etc. these can be valid steps however they are not really essential in solving this error and generally just waste time. restarting, system cleanups, defrags etc are great once the real problem is fixed completely.

Also if your system logs are full and you have many errors running disk cleanup and clearing system logs is a good way to help isolate errors in Eventviewer. Attempting to run the crashing program while using Event Viewer will show the specific error codes with a time stamp. You are effectively duplicating the error and isolating the cause or causes so that you can research and cure the problem.

[Disgruntled]

This thread should be pinned, if the moderators would be so kind.

I'm having this issue myself, and the problem has persisted even after doing the winsock fix.

Unfortunately, Event Viewer isn't providing much insight into why this is happening, as it only gives the following:

Faulting application name: steam.exe, version: 4.5.3.68, time stamp: 0x5760922c
Faulting module name: unknown, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x00000000
Exception code: 0x00000000

In addition, while the Event ID is the same as the one you got (1000), the DNS flush and renew commands didn't fix anything.

As it stands, Steam still cannot update, and I cannot open steam to turn off updates either. With so many people having this problem, it REALLY needs to be officially addressed and remedied as soon as possible.

[Stratman]

I have the same problem since some days ago. NEVER before, so is not my computer fault, is a STEAM fault. There are many people out there with the same problem, and we need a real solution, maybe turning off the last update/s. Please, FIX YOUR PROBLEM!

[Surskit]

3 minutes ago, peridot just sucked your lips off.