The definitive solution for the "Steam Service" error [GUIDE FOR WINDOWS]

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ApotheOS Sep 17, 2024 @ 9:00am

This is an issue that's been discussed to hell and back over the years, and I don't wanna beat a dead horse, but every now and again I see people asking for help with this thing that just doesn't seem to go away. So I'll be a good citizen and give you THE solution for this problem. So whenever this happens, you can just come back here instead of browsing one hundred different discussions.

Sometimes the Steam Service in your computer just stops. When that happens, Steam can't be opened. When you try to open Steam, it'll give you a warning that the Steam Service needs "maintenance" and it will give you the option to install the service. The thing is, the service is already installed, it's just inactive, so pressing the install button just does nothing and Steam doesn't open.

There's a bunch of different ways people say to solve this issue, but the main one that actually seems to work for me and many other people is this one:

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1 - On your Desktop, press Home+R (or just use the regular search tool, seems to bring up the same thing).

2 - In the search window, type "Services" without the quotes. This will take you to the Services app.

3 - In the app, scroll down until you find the "Steam Client Service" service. With this issue, its StartUp Type on the right side should read "Disabled"

4 - Right-click the Steam Client Service and click "Properties"

5 - You'll be taken to the Properties window of the service and you're already in the right tab, which is the General tab. Find the Startup type option and select "Automatic" (NOT AUTOMATIC DELAYED START).

6 - Close all the windows and try to start Steam again. It should work now.

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Whenever this happens to me, this is my fix and it works everytime. I hope it works for you too. Ciao.

Last edited by ApotheOS; Sep 17, 2024 @ 9:06am

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments

V3LTA Sep 17, 2024 @ 9:02am

this wont help people posting here are 9/10 times way to dumb to search it them self
imagine if people used the function their pc, steam and browser are giving them for free

Last edited by V3LTA; Sep 17, 2024 @ 9:02am

ApotheOS Sep 17, 2024 @ 9:04am

Originally posted by V3LTA:
this wont help people posting here are 9/10 times way to dumb to search it them self
imagine if people used the function their pc, steam and browser are giving them for free

That's the exact reason I made this guide? To help people who are struggling? What's your point?

Eodwyks Dec 8, 2024 @ 4:45pm

It had been a few weeks since I had the error dialog box at every Steam startup, and upon checking, I found that the Steam service was disabled. I followed the tutorial from ApotheOS, and now Steam starts normally. Thank you!

edit : The problem comes back from time to time (maybe my antivirus optimizer is disabling a bit too much) but now I know that it's the steam service I need to reactivate.

Last edited by Eodwyks; Dec 9, 2024 @ 4:34am