Steam app do not open

[Katmuda]

Hello, I am very very lost. Maybe someone can relate or help me?
I encounter a problem after a Steam client update:
Steam shows “Checking for updates” briefly. The window disappears, steam.exe remains running in Task Manager. No error message. Only steam.exe process is present (normally steamwebhelper.exe / steamclientwebhelper.exe should appear, but they never do). Steam launcher never opens. Steam was working normally the previous day (2025-12-19 was the last day).

System:
OS: Windows 11 (x64)
Device: Laptop
GPU: Integrated: Intel UHD Graphics. Dedicated: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU.

What I already did to fix this problem:

Steam-related:
Manually deleted C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam, %AppData%\Steam, %LocalAppData%\Steam.
Ran Steam as Administrator
Tried launching with parameters:
-no-cef-sandbox
-disable-gpu
Fully uninstalled and reinstalled Steam.

GPU / drivers:
Installed NVIDIA Studio Driver 591.44 with Clean Installation
Tested forcing Steam to use Intel GPU (power-saving)

Security / Windows protections:
Disabled Windows Reputation-based protection
Disabled Exploit Protection (CFG) specifically for steam.exe

Network:
Tested with Home internet and Mobile hotspot.

WebView2 / Edge
Tested:
msedgewebview2://version
Result:
Windows reports there is no app to open this link.

Performed Windows 11 In-place Repair Upgrade (Official Windows 11 ISO, Kept personal files and apps) Repair completed successfully. After repair Steam still does not open. Installed Microsoft Edge WebView2 Evergreen Standalone Installer (x64) as Administrator. Restarted.
msedgewebview2://version still does not open

Steam launcher still does not appear.


I am considering to fully reinstall windows... But I am not sure if this will help

[素晴らしいものSlickTricks]

If you have a controller device inputted from your PC kindly try disconnecting it and check if it will still crash your Steam client.

I also have issues with 0% CPU usage and didn't know that it is due to a USB controller connected to my PC.

Since I also tried reinstalling and uninstalling steam
using DDU to reinstall my NVidia drivers.

Hopefully steam fixed this issue.

[Dranak]

Yeah seem to be the new hot topic device we cant see here. and steam users dont think such device attached to our pc can do this.

steam is not going to fix other brand controller product for you, try them product support page.

[素晴らしいものSlickTricks]

@Dranak it is not about fixing controller brand issue, since this doesn't arrive previously from previous updates and I just left my controller connected just in case I played any games, hence that is why I am giving this solution if the OP have a controller device connected.

[素晴らしいものSlickTricks]

Originally posted by 素晴らしいものSlickTricks:

@Dranak it is not about fixing controller brand issue, since this doesn't arrive previously from previous updates and I just left my controller connected just in case I played any games, hence that is why I am giving this solution if the OP have a controller device connected.

Just adding also that I have tried multiple troubleshooting steps from Youtube, Reddit and other sources, to the point I uninstall and reinstall steam

[Dranak]

Originally posted by 素晴らしいものSlickTricks:

@Dranak it is not about fixing controller brand issue, since this doesn't arrive previously from previous updates and I just left my controller connected just in case I played any games, hence that is why I am giving this solution if the OP have a controller device connected.

No this is exatly what its about, steam cant fix other brand product ,not made by steam.

i did not say steam cant make mistake in this, but if they update controller and steam user old drivre or support to them is the issue it ends there.

and im sure them Brand controller support page will contact steam if this is the case,

just so you know i have a controller attached to the system and i have done nothing to get it to work. ( steam even ID it automatic system told it was there.)

[sharie1994]

This is not a controller problem. Its a steam recent update problem. I had no controller connected same for my wife (two sepereate gaming set ups) and right after their update i could no longer update already installed games or download new ones. After trying all internet tips none worked. Steam's new update highly likely caused this issue changing the 32 to 64 bit

[Dranak]

Originally posted by sharie1994:

This is not a controller problem. Its a steam recent update problem. I had no controller connected same for my wife (two sepereate gaming set ups) and right after their update i could no longer update already installed games or download new ones. After trying all internet tips none worked. Steam's new update highly likely caused this issue changing the 32 to 64 bit

What can we say to you, then we othe do not have the issue.

try safe boot mode if this is ainterference issue with steam, i have no other ideas.

my current steam about info

Steam Beta Branch: Stable Client
Steam Version: 1766177208
Steam Client Build Date: Fri, Dec 19 20:59 UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date: Fri, Dec 19 21:20 UTC -08:00
Steam API Version: SteamClient023


-------------------------------------------


Seam December 19 client updat.
A new Steam client has been released and will be automatically downloaded.


General

The Steam client is now 64-bit on Windows 11 and Windows 10 64-bit.

Systems running 32-bit versions of Windows will continue receiving updates to the 32-bit Steam client until January 1, 2026.

Fixed non-Steam browser windows erroneously being created sometimes when steamwebhelper is restarted.


i can only copy paste what you already know. and same time post about so next steam usre tht might have issue with it also, and do not think on this.

You can try contact steam support.

ps.
sounds like 32bit after date might have new issue, soon with steam. ((( until January 1, 2026. )))

[Dranak]

Try DL and reinstall steam over current installation with admin rights to fix it.

right click on installer and run as admin.


Also chck current OS, might be a good idea ( google how to do if needed. )


DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
SFC /Scannow
chkdsk c:
chkdsk d:
chkdsk e:
chkdsk f:
chkdsk g:
chkdsk h:

[sharie1994]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPgdxBe7gOw

This video fixed my issues. it downgraded steam back to the old version. I could sign in again and reinstall my games.

[76561199441231212]

Originally posted by Katmuda:

Hello, I am very very lost. Maybe someone can relate or help me?
I encounter a problem after a Steam client update:
Steam shows “Checking for updates” briefly. The window disappears, steam.exe remains running in Task Manager. No error message. Only steam.exe process is present (normally steamwebhelper.exe / steamclientwebhelper.exe should appear, but they never do). Steam launcher never opens. Steam was working normally the previous day (2025-12-19 was the last day).

System:
OS: Windows 11 (x64)
Device: Laptop
GPU: Integrated: Intel UHD Graphics. Dedicated: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU.

What I already did to fix this problem:

Steam-related:
Manually deleted C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam, %AppData%\Steam, %LocalAppData%\Steam.
Ran Steam as Administrator
Tried launching with parameters:
-no-cef-sandbox
-disable-gpu
Fully uninstalled and reinstalled Steam.

GPU / drivers:
Installed NVIDIA Studio Driver 591.44 with Clean Installation
Tested forcing Steam to use Intel GPU (power-saving)

Security / Windows protections:
Disabled Windows Reputation-based protection
Disabled Exploit Protection (CFG) specifically for steam.exe

Network:
Tested with Home internet and Mobile hotspot.

WebView2 / Edge
Tested:
msedgewebview2://version
Result:
Windows reports there is no app to open this link.

Performed Windows 11 In-place Repair Upgrade (Official Windows 11 ISO, Kept personal files and apps) Repair completed successfully. After repair Steam still does not open. Installed Microsoft Edge WebView2 Evergreen Standalone Installer (x64) as Administrator. Restarted.
msedgewebview2://version still does not open

Steam launcher still does not appear.


I am considering to fully reinstall windows... But I am not sure if this will help

English:

Friend, the solution that worked for me initially was to disconnect the controller. With that, I was able to get Steam to start, but the controller doesn’t work once I reconnect it. Even if I connect the controller before starting the game, the game doesn’t launch, and if I connect it after starting the game, the game doesn’t detect the controller.

To fix it, I went to the Steam installation folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam


Then, on steam.exe, I right-clicked → Properties → Previous Versions. Once there, I waited for the previous version I had registered to appear, selected it with the mouse, and clicked Open. I got a Steam warning saying that I didn’t have write permissions and that it could cause an error, but I clicked Ignore and it worked.

Now, it detects the controller, and I can enter games without problems. As a temporary solution, it’s effective.

Best regards.

Spanish:


Amigo la solucion que me sirvio fue en un principio, desconectar el mando, con eso logre que steam iniciara, pero el mando no funciona una vez lo vuelvo a conectar, e incluso si conecto el mando antes de iniciar el juego, el juego no inicia y si lo conecto despues de iniciar el juego el juego no detecta el mando.
Para solucionarlo fui a la carpeta de instalacion de steam "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam" y en "steam.exe" hice click derecho, "Propiedades" y luego me diriji a la pestaña de "Versiones anteriores", una vez ahi espere a que apareciera la anterior version que tengo registrada y la señale con el raton y le di a abrir, me salio un aviso de steam diciendome que no tenia permisos de escritura y que podria generar error, le di a ignorar y funciono , detecta el mando y puedo entrar a juegos sin problemas. Como solucion temporar es efectiva. Un saludo

[Katmuda]

Originally posted by 素晴らしいものSlickTricks:

If you have a controller device inputted from your PC kindly try disconnecting it and check if it will still crash your Steam client.

I also have issues with 0% CPU usage and didn't know that it is due to a USB controller connected to my PC.

Since I also tried reinstalling and uninstalling steam
using DDU to reinstall my NVidia drivers.

Hopefully steam fixed this issue.

Thank you, Sir — this really was a slick trick 😄.

Yes, I did have a controller plugged in for about 2–3 months straight, and after reading your suggestion I tried unplugging it. And bam — Steam finally launched normally, and I could see that magnificent Steam launcher again.

I honestly wouldn’t have thought a USB controller could cause this kind of issue, especially after all the reinstalling, driver troubleshooting, and Windows repairs I went through.

So for anyone else experiencing the same problem:
Try unplugging any connected controllers or USB input devices.
For me, simply disconnecting the controller (before launching steam) fixed the issue immediately (at least for now).

Thanks again to You and Everyone who replied in this thread. Have a cozy holiday season, everyone!