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MoonlightDragon Feb 23, 2014 @ 10:52pm

Fatal Error-Failed to load Steam.dll for Steam Client

Ok before I begin,THIS IS NOT ABOUT .DLL FILES FOR GAMES...What is going on is when i try to boot up steam,I get this error message after this update installer window that says "Fatal Error-Failed to load Steam.dll."...which pretty much keeps me from opening my Steam client...meaning I CAN NOT login or access my account.I managed to contact Steam Support but they told me to completely wipe everything out associated with steam except the SteamApps folder and to also delete all the registry keys.Then they said to reboot the computer and install a fresh SteamInstaller...So I did all of that and Im still getting the same error message.Ive even done system restore and that didnt work.Also I am running Windows 8.I dont know what happened if it had something to do with a recent update,but Ive spent too much money on my steam account for it to go to waste.Please help me anybody that has had this issue before.And also,please DO NOT turn this into an argument forum.Im looking for a friendly professional answer.Not a bunch of 12 year olds saying stuff like "Idk.Just restart your F@%king laptop" or cussing each other out like all the other forums Ive tried.I'll even add you on my friends and try to do something nice for you thats Steam Related (Team Fortress gift,etc.) in thanks if your answer fixes the problem.Thanks Guys.

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Showing 1-11 of 11 comments

지오 Mar 4, 2014 @ 4:29am

same here can't seem to fix it

지오 Mar 4, 2014 @ 4:31am

Try browsing to your Steam folder and delete you ClientRegistry.blob and AppUpdateStats.blob files.

MoonlightDragon Mar 4, 2014 @ 4:44am

i managed to get things going again.unfortunately my files went so out of wack that it was missing some and everything.i had no choice but to reset my entire computer to factory settings and redownload steam.im back in business though.still...steam needs to be aware of that.not just for the games

Die Burger :Σ (>N<) Mar 18, 2014 @ 11:37pm

For the record, the advice given to you by Steam support is a bit of an overkill nowadays (it wasn't 10 years ago when Steam was a broken mess).
You could have started by simply removing the steamui.dll file from the Steam directory (safer than outright deletion, with the same effect). With the file now "missing", it would have been redownloaded once you ran Steam.exe.

This is what fixed the issue for me.

On a side note, deleting Clientregistry.blob won't do anything, as this file only concerns your settings for your games. It was a way of solving some issues when converting to SteamPipe, or when your games have weird startup errors. It's not worth touching here.

As for deleting AppUpdateStats.blob, it's not a real solution either, as this has more to do with the connection of your client to the Steam network than with the initiation of the client proper in the here case (deleting it is used as a way to solve the "Steam needs to be online to Update" error).

Last edited by Die Burger :Σ (>N<); Mar 18, 2014 @ 11:47pm

OrganicTaste Mar 19, 2014 @ 12:06am

Same issue here as well.

Satoru Mar 19, 2014 @ 12:07am

Originally posted by Stairs:
Same issue here as well.

This is an issue that's fixed in the latest steam client beta

Its also because for some god forsaken erasons you're still on XP or vista. Shame!

OrganicTaste Mar 19, 2014 @ 12:08am

Originally posted by Satoru:
Originally posted by Stairs:
Same issue here as well.
Its also because for some god forsaken erasons you're still on XP or vista. Shame!

.....How did you know?

Satoru Mar 19, 2014 @ 1:26am

Originally posted by Stairs:
Originally posted by Satoru:
Its also because for some god forsaken erasons you're still on XP or vista. Shame!
.....How did you know? :wrynscared:

I SEE EVERYTHING!!!!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta#announcements/detail/1695909891587769433

Fixed regression preventing Steam from launching on Windows XP and Vista

But seriously... you need to get off of XP or Vista...

MoonlightDragon Mar 24, 2014 @ 4:42pm

yeah vista is terrible for Steam.XP isnt TOO bad but windows 7 is superior.unfortunately i bought my computer a bit too late when windows 8 was released.i would downgrade but its just another bother.thanks for all your suggestions guys.ill definitely keep them on file if this happens again.