Steam takes a long time to open.

[Malvarose]

So I have Steam set to open automatically when I turn my computer on. I noticed, after Steam is already running, it takes at least 30 seconds for it to open if I click its icon. Normally it would come up in about a second, now it is not.



I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but seems to still be there. It started happening suddenly, and I haven't changed anything. Has anyone else experienced this, or have a solution?

[haski]

I'm having the same issue. Well, I have been for a long time now. I've only really become concerned with it since building a new PC, and even on a fresh Win10 install it's slow (mine takes about 10secs from the time of clicking the shortcut to my account name 'connecting' popup).

I'd love answers to this too. Deleting the client registry stuff never fixed it in the past, and on a clean install, this shouldn't happen.

[Malvarose]

Just found out Steam only opens slow if I click the icon on my taskbar. Though if I click the icon in my system tray, it launches at normal speeds.

[Malvarose]

It also opens a second process when I try to open from taskbar.

https://vgy.me/3F9EbH.png

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Malvarose:

So I have Steam set to open automatically when I turn my computer on.

If you just have to live with this setting that is fine, but personally I suggest you don't set Steam to run when your computer boots up. Several system and user processes are loading and starting and just adding to that load only increases your boot time and slows things down.

After all, you can just make one click and start Steam manually when your computer is fully booted up.

At least for now, as you are troubleshooting a problem, I would turn that off and you can turn it back on later if you wish.

Now, what is your antivirus program on that computer ?

What is your operating system ?

Are you using a router ?

You can try this quick test to maybe narrow down where the issue is...

Boot your computer into safe mode WITH networking and log on via your Steam account using the client and see if you notice any improvement in the performance of Steam then. If you do, then start by checking this list and especially check anti-intrusion processes such as antivirus and antispyware, for example.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

It often does not matter if you have any of these programs and never had any issues before. Don't pay that any attention, if so.

Post back for more help if needed, please. You can stay in safe mode with networking and come back to post. Please note I said "safe mode WITH networking". Thanks.

[Malvarose]

Originally posted by .hAsKi:

I'm having the same issue. Well, I have been for a long time now. I've only really become concerned with it since building a new PC, and even on a fresh Win10 install it's slow (mine takes about 10secs from the time of clicking the shortcut to my account name 'connecting' popup).

I'd love answers to this too. Deleting the client registry stuff never fixed it in the past, and on a clean install, this shouldn't happen.

Figured out the solution. Since my 970 is being RMA'd right now, I am using AMD. Since I installed the drivers the issues occured. As soon as I uninstalled, it fixed it, but I needed drivers obviously. It seems that if "AMD External Events Utility" is NOT running, it causes Steam to act up. If it is not installed, or RUNNING, then Steam works just fine.

I find it silly that something like that can cause this issue.. I don't know if this will be the case for everyone, but this fixed it for me.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Malvarose:

It seems that if "AMD External Events Utility" is NOT running, it causes Steam to act up. If it is not installed, or RUNNING, then Steam works just fine.

That application is on the list I linked above in my post. Thanks for reporting back what you did to solve this as that can possibly help others in a similar or same situation. Good luck to you always.

Other Applications

IOBit Advance System Care
IOBit Start Menu 8
Airfoil
Alcohol 120%
AMD External Event Utility
(snip)

[haski]

I have no AMD hardware, so that's definitely not the case for me. Maybe it's Norton? I'll have to try disabling it and running Steam and if it works, figure away of making it a permanent exception (I never have any issues with Steam, just this slow startup).

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by .hAsKi:

I have no AMD hardware, so that's definitely not the case for me. Maybe it's Norton? I'll have to try disabling it and running Steam and if it works, figure away of making it a permanent exception (I never have any issues with Steam, just this slow startup).

If you have Norton (which is on the list, by the way), that can surely be your problem.

Here is more proof. I have seen Norton cause havoc for many before you. Make sure to take note of any process associated with Norton or Symantec and take care of that also.

"More Proof"

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/864960354202730196/#c864960354203825652
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/864960354202730196/#c864960354208015680
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/392183857628513359/#c392184289304621591
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/458607518209700397/?tscn=1453942737#c458607518210063348
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/392184289304843029/?tscn=1458633705#c392184342868920447

Avast!
AVG Anti-virus *
BitDefender
F-Secure
Iobit Advanced System Care *
Kaspersky Anti-virus
McAfee Anti-virus
Nod32 Anti-virus *
Norton/Symantec Anti-virus
(snip)

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

If it is on the list, it is totally suspect. Norton, for some, does not like Steam.

[TheMegaBigFat]

Originally posted by Malvarose:

So I have Steam set to open automatically when I turn my computer on. I noticed, after Steam is already running, it takes at least 30 seconds for it to open if I click its icon. Normally it would come up in about a second, now it is not.



I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but seems to still be there. It started happening suddenly, and I haven't changed anything. Has anyone else experienced this, or have a solution?

Perhaps it's because of the computer itself? I'm sorry if this doesn't help, but my old computer obviously does not open Steam as quickly as my new one. Maybe, just like other people have said, it could be a virus or something running that's eating away at your memory. idk man

[haski]

I'll check with my Norton tonight. On a side note of those people saying how awful Norton is;

I actually bought Bitdefender (supposedly best performing AV). It added nearly a minute to my boot time on an SSD, ran terribly, sucked about 150mb+ ram, etc. it was so awful I got a refund - went back to Norton; zero boot impact, <15mb ram usage, so much better. Bitdefender may have a slightly better detection rate, but the trade off just wasn't worth it.

Norton has come a long way! Not saying Norton is the best, but it's been forever reliable for me and has such a low performance impact, it's great for gaming machines.

Just had to get that off my chest :P

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by .hAsKi:

I'll check with my Norton tonight. On a side note of those people saying how awful Norton is;

I actually bought Bitdefender (supposedly best performing AV). It added nearly a minute to my boot time on an SSD, ran terribly, sucked about 150mb+ ram, etc. it was so awful I got a refund -

Bitdefender is on the list also. I hope you will forgive me for asking and I don't mean to sound rude but are you even looking at the list from the link I have posted ?

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

Also, I have shown you several cases of proof about the experience of others concerning Norton and Steam so did you look at those as well ? I see you did refer to those, but does that not show you something about Norton ?

When in doubt, use the search and see for yourself.

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/search/?gidforum=882959061466924237&include_deleted=1&q=Norton

If you want to properly troubleshoot a problem, remove known possibilities from the equation. That means to uninstall problematic software and reboot.

Now you must also understand that further steps may be necessary. For example only, when a problematic or misconfigured antivirus program quarantines the .exe file for a game as a false positive, then you have to fix the antivirus problem FIRST and then fix the game files that were removed/damaged by the antivirus.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335

In the case of Steam being affected, you may have to fix the damage done to Steam (slow loading/starting) AFTER you fix the issue of the antivirus.

If you take care of Norton (and Bitdefender), and you still need help, I will request that you post a screenshot of all of your installed programs on that computer. You can use this site imgur.com and post the links here.

After that, we can look as freshening up your Steam files if needed but the problem of the other software must be taken care of first. Thanks.

EDIT..Did you not read the reply from the OP about what seems to have fixed his or her issue ?

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/364042262879689112/#c364042262886359752

As I said above, that process is on the list also.

[Splash Colour]

You might want to look into probs getting something like avira anti virus or sophos anti virus. those are the best I find.

[haski]

Sorry I think I've hijacked the thread. You don't sound rude, Giving One. I've read it all, it's all good. I've got a couple of applications on the list - my startup of Steam is around 10 - 15 seconds. The OP has it far worst, I'm just picky because I feel like it should be instant on my SSD.

I can live with the time it takes, I just though I'd ask on the off-chance it was a simple issue that others were experiencing, but going through my running apps and disabling a bunch doesn't seem necessary for me at this stage, thank you guys anyway.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by .hAsKi:

Sorry I think I've hijacked the thread. You don't sound rude, Giving One. I've read it all, it's all good. I've got a couple of applications on the list - my startup of Steam is around 10 - 15 seconds. The OP has it far worst, I'm just picky because I feel like it should be instant on my SSD.

Incan live with the time it takes, I just though I'd ask on the off-chance it was a simple issue that others were experiencing, but going through my running apps and disabling a bunch doesn't seem necessary for me at this stage, thank you guys anyway.

Quick and very easy way to prove or disprove the theory of problematic software causing this...

Boot your computer into safe mode WITH networking and try to log in using the Steam client in that boot. If your Steam works fast and snappy in that boot (unless already damaged by Norton/Bitdefender/other process from the list) then that shows something is affecting Steam in a normal boot.

Note please, as I said, your Steam would still need to be cleanly installed and not damaged from Norton or Bitdefender or other process for this to show results one way or the other.

Thanks for the kind reply.

EDIT..I would suggest that you use ethernet only from your modem to your PC to test this and not use any router. See this as proof on that theory...

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1456-EUDN-2493

Not sure yet if your Steam takes a long time to "open" or a long time to "connect". So hopefully, you understand the difference can matter depending on where this issue is.

[Qwerty Drive]

Originally posted by Malvarose:

So I have Steam set to open automatically when I turn my computer on. I noticed, after Steam is already running, it takes at least 30 seconds for it to open if I click its icon. Normally it would come up in about a second, now it is not.



I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but seems to still be there. It started happening suddenly, and I haven't changed anything. Has anyone else experienced this, or have a solution?

AMD External Events Utility Service error.. make sure the service is running