Steam connection error

[†]

Steam connection error while not using VPN
Hello world !

I come before you with one big weird issue.
Here comes, whenever I try to connect to Steam while using my VPN (1.1.1.1) everything goes right. But if I try connecting normally (as I'm mostly all the time without VPN active) it tells me "Steam Error - Could not connect to Steam Network".

Rebooted the router, reinstalled Windows, did not help

So I believe that there is a problem with my Ethernet Connection Settings on Windows, and nothing with my Firewall or router because I have no issue with VPN on.

[Elucidator]

Its not really a virtual 'private' network if it tunnels your stuff to another computer on the very same network, privacy wise. It is however a virtual network that maybe private (as in, your ownership). The problem is, if the VPN host is on the same LAN, then you get the same IP from your IAP, so it becomes meaningless as a means for privacy at least.

If something is indeed wrong with your ethernet connection settings, you may want to look at TCP/IP settings first. Try a different DNS for example and see if that fixes the issue.

You can also try resetting your IP in windows.

netsh int ip reset

might as well do:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release.
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

See if that does anything.
(Run the commands in CMD or PowerShell (as admin) )

When you use a VPN Service (Provider), like NordVPN or something, not just a 'VPN', then your data is encrypted before it is tunneled through to the VPN's server, where it gets decrypted before arriving on the internet. This basically "hides" the type of packets and their contents for your router and your IAP.

It is possible your router doesn't like the type of packets your pc seems to send and request with Steam, or maybe your IAP blocks it, no clue. Its not unheard of certain protocols getting blocked (or rather, protocols getting whitelisted and everything else blocked).

Please have a look at https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/669A-2F68-D1D1-A5EC


Edit (32min):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1.1.1.1
That IP is taken by cloudflare, its their DNS service. So I guess the VPN is really local then, or very private. You're not getting onto the internet with that IP at least.

Edit 2 (40min):
I guess I maybe confused. It seems like they decided to turn 1.1.1.1 into a VPN client as well. 1.1.1.1+WARP is the full name.
It redirects all internet traffic over to the WireGuard protocol apparently, which uses UDP packets. The newer version acts like a VPN completely, hiding your IP and all. Interesting.

Well, it means that at least UDP packets go through onto the internet just fine. Steam should be using UDP as well though, hm...

Honestly idk what the client software does, so idk. What is causing your connection issues could be anything basically.

Edit 3:
Its a subscription service, that vpn it seems. Its not really free, its limited free. You run out of bandwidth. xD I see now why they worked on a VPN.