Error Code -138

[saturos]

I am having trouble accessing all the portions that require internet to connect to in the Steam client. Everything works fine in a browser. My firewall is set up to allow all programs related to Steam out, and I have tried deleting the download cache, deleting the web browser cache and cookies, and restarting my computer. Games that require internet work fine, this issue is only with the client itself. More specifically, all store links, community links, and profile links are not connecting for me. Help?

[Nx Machina]

Check your firewall is not blocking Steam.

[saturos]

I have. Everything related to Steam is allowed out.

[saturos]

To make matters more confusing, if I change my username in a web browser such as Firefox, the changes appear near instantly in the client; same with avatar changes, but I still cannot view my profile, for instance.

[Nx Machina]

Is your anti virus blocking the steam exe?

[saturos]

As far as I know, Windows anti-virus does not do that.

[Nx Machina]

I use Malwarebytes so cannot check.

The article linked tells you how to set an exception for Steam in Windows defender.

https://appuals.com/how-to-add-steam-as-an-exception-to-your-antivirus-or-firewall-software/

[saturos]

That does not help, but thank you.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by droob:

That does not help, but thank you.

Your welcome.

Last thing I can think of is to clear Steam's web cache, exit Steam then reboot Steam.

You could also switch to the Steam client beta if you are not currently on it or opt out if you are on the beta.

[Dranak]

Originally posted by droob:

That does not help, but thank you.

Yes it does, i did not reply, reason is Nx Machina already point out why , but you might have made a mistake in allow out , its "IN" that matter not out, it might not matter in detail if app is not better then that in and out in same combined rule, but tech person see this as huge diffrence and not same thingy.

im not here to debat what a app do or work as intended, but in and out seen from a network technician is not same thingy and never will be.

please recheck if it could be that . gl with it.

ps.
if you said "IN" in the topic,i will not even catch something was wrong.

[Jack Schitt]

Try this:
https://www.saintlad.com/fix-steam-error-code-137-and-138-failed-to-load-webpage/

Set the firewall to completely ignore any traffic both in and out from Steam.
In reality unless you work for a government agency or the computer you use has extremely sensitive information on it like it runs a bank's account information there really is no need to have and use a firewall. You're playing video games you're not guarding Fort Knox.

For the client and multiplayer games traffic in and out matters. Out is more important but we also need to allow traffic in from games otherwise we're not going to get information from other players we're playing with.

[saturos]

The thing about the in and out rules for the firewall are, steam should not be sending me data without me requesting it first. There is not much reason for packets of information to be sent to my computer without me first clicking something, or doing any other type of action.

[Dranak]

Originally posted by droob:

The thing about the in and out rules for the firewall are, steam should not be sending me data without me requesting it first. There is not much reason for packets of information to be sent to my computer without me first clicking something, or doing any other type of action.

ahh then we are done talking, its your job to know traffic , steam dont need to get or be Granted access to your network.

and we are back at Deal with your security issue , have a nice day.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally posted by droob:

The thing about the in and out rules for the firewall are, steam should not be sending me data without me requesting it first. There is not much reason for packets of information to be sent to my computer without me first clicking something, or doing any other type of action.

Yes, it does. It updates constantly to check and notify you if there's new content to things your subscribed to like forum threads, new friends list chat messages, announcements, game and client updates, and more. Steam isn't going to attack your computer. Of the 20+ years I've been using Steam I've never heard of someone being able to use Steam's servers to hack in to other people's accounts.

You have to open your network completely allowing all steam and your steam game's traffic in and out as it wants and needs. Otherwise the Steam Client and your games aren't going to work right.

The problem is your firewall settings. In and out need to allow Steam. Both ways. Completely.
No restrictions.
That's how you fix this issue. You don't even need to be running a firewall at all.

I'm leaving this thread as Iceira did. Good luck.