could i get banned on steam for using a vpn for non-steam purposes

[Viewbob]

want to play a game earlier that isnt on steam but just wondering if steam will detect that its there or if i could maybe close steam or somethin

[max]

I'm not sure about bans, but I think this will break the rules described when you created the steam account.

[max]

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Is using a VPN against Steam Terms of Service?

Yes. The Steam VPN rules are very clear. Using a VPN is absolutely against Steam Terms of Service, Steam parent company Valve reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban your account if you are caught using Steam with a VPN.

But if you want to play geo-restricted games on Steam, a VPN is pretty much your only option. Just understand that you run the risk of an account ban.

If you’re going to risk it, it behooves you to pick the right VPN provider, one sophisticated enough to avoid a Steam VPN ban.

[Viewbob]

Originally posted by Maxwell:

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Is using a VPN against Steam Terms of Service?

Yes. The Steam VPN rules are very clear. Using a VPN is absolutely against Steam Terms of Service, Steam parent company Valve reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban your account if you are caught using Steam with a VPN.

But if you want to play geo-restricted games on Steam, a VPN is pretty much your only option. Just understand that you run the risk of an account ban.

If you’re going to risk it, it behooves you to pick the right VPN provider, one sophisticated enough to avoid a Steam VPN ban.

its also not for steam, so like would steam still know im using a vpn if i close steam completely

[max]

Originally posted by Viewbob:

Originally posted by Maxwell:

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Is using a VPN against Steam Terms of Service?

Yes. The Steam VPN rules are very clear. Using a VPN is absolutely against Steam Terms of Service, Steam parent company Valve reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban your account if you are caught using Steam with a VPN.

But if you want to play geo-restricted games on Steam, a VPN is pretty much your only option. Just understand that you run the risk of an account ban.

If you’re going to risk it, it behooves you to pick the right VPN provider, one sophisticated enough to avoid a Steam VPN ban.

its also not for steam, so like would steam still know im using a vpn if i close steam completely

Probably Not, but always remember to use with caution.

[Meatloaf Cocktail]

Just quit Steam while using a VPN. Problem solved.

[Viewbob]

Originally posted by Meatloaf Cocktail:

Just quit Steam while using a VPN. Problem solved.

just too risky

[nullable]

Originally posted by Viewbob:

want to play a game earlier that isnt on steam but just wondering if steam will detect that its there or if i could maybe close steam or somethin

Valve only cares what you do in regards to their own store. They're not the computer police. There's nothing wrong with using a VPN in of itself, there's perfectly legitimate uses. It's only when you use a VPN on Steam to defraud Valve is there an issue Valve cares about.

And any accidents or mistakes where you "forgot" are on your own head.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Viewbob:

want to play a game earlier that isnt on steam but just wondering if steam will detect that its there or if i could maybe close steam or somethin

As long as you are not using a VPN to make purchases ON STEAM, then you can use a VPN for what ever you want and Steam/Valve won't care.

Remember, the VPN just can't be used to make purchases on Steam. You can still use one when posting, playing games, ect, on Steam.

Even using it when making a purchase may be fine, provided you are not trying to bypass any regional restrictions or get a lower price from another region.

[Gergith]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by Viewbob:

want to play a game earlier that isnt on steam but just wondering if steam will detect that its there or if i could maybe close steam or somethin

As long as you are not using a VPN to make purchases ON STEAM, then you can use a VPN for what ever you want and Steam/Valve won't care.

Remember, the VPN just can't be used to make purchases on Steam. You can still use one when posting, playing games, ect, on Steam.

Even using it when making a purchase may be fine, provided you are not trying to bypass any regional restrictions or get a lower price from another region.

You think this applies for downloading games as well?

[nullable]

I don't imagine downloading games themselves over VPN would be an issue. If you're trying to use the VPN to get around region restrictions, that would be a different issue.

[MancSoulja]

As long as you're not using the VPN to break any rules, you can do what you want with your own PC.

[Santi]

Unless you're doing purchases with a VPN, it should be fine.

[76561199418627359]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.