Can't Launch Steam - Infinite "Update" Loop

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XiLaii Apr 21, 2014 @ 4:11pm

Can't Launch Steam - Infinite "Update" Loop

Hiya, Please forgive me if this is in the wrong place, but I'm having a problem that is preventing me from launching steam/accessing my games, and I'm not sure where else to get help or what else to try.

Basically, every single time I launch steam, it gets stuck in an infinite loop with a dialog that looks like this: http://oi57.tinypic.com/a45wzr.jpg (downloading, extracting package, installing...)

I've been using it for a while, but this only started happening around a month ago (I don't know the exact date). I didn't change any settings, I've not changed computer, security or connection. If I leave it alone it just stays like that. (I've left it running for several hours while I did other things, and it still just goes on endlessly). VERY Occasionally it will boot if I cancel/close the update enough times (or get extremely lucky I guess, because I can't find a pattern in it).

I have tried every suggestion I can find on google, and everything else that I can think of too. I've removed the blob (ClientRegistry I think it is?) and various dll files as instructed, tried numerous re-installs, disabled firewall, I have nothing blocking the updates, I've tried deleting everything besides steam.exe and the SteamApps folder, I've treble checked that nothing is blocking it, I'm not part of any beta, I didn't change any settings....

I would be extremely grateful for any help or (actual) fixes that anyone can offer. I'm pretty much tearing my hair out over not being to access stuff I've paid for :(.

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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments

XiLaii Apr 22, 2014 @ 12:12pm

Anyone have any suggestions at all? I was really hoping I could get this fixed, and I've not had an answer to my ticket, either :(

Seven7 Apr 22, 2014 @ 12:15pm

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638 + run Steam.exe As Administrator

XiLaii Apr 22, 2014 @ 12:22pm

Originally posted by Seven7:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638 + run Steam.exe As Administrator

Thanks for the reply, but I just tried this and it doesn't work. Attempting to flush the config AND starting steam as admin from the folder both cause the update loop :( Thanks though.

Seven7 Apr 22, 2014 @ 12:36pm

antivirus in background - blocked process?
restricted user - steam can't change files and | or registry
try delete package folder, and repeat
+ try run steam.exe with -tcp (if default udp ports blocked by firewall, router, ISP)

Renegade Mage Sep 1, 2014 @ 8:07pm

Originally posted by Seven7:
antivirus in background - blocked process?
restricted user - steam can't change files and | or registry
try delete package folder, and repeat
+ try run steam.exe with -tcp (if default udp ports blocked by firewall, router, ISP)

the -tcp worked for me, thank you very much! Why can't steam get their act together, they're fast enough to take the money but no support whatsoever.