[SOLVED] "Can't connect to Steam network" - No solution for weeks! :(

[Abaris]

EDIT after the issue has been solved, now:
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE THREAD, IF YOU HAPPEN TO ENCOUNTER A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I'M SURE SOME METHOD MENTIONED WILL WORK ON YOU :)

The solution for me was given by http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198030616898
and summed up here: http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/828935673158964273#c828936719140986153 <------
Yet, you still can contribute to this thread, if you encounter a similar problem and don't seem to be able to solve it OR you have a suggestion as to what a possible solution might be ;)

(And show some love for the people here - they're trying to help :P)
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First, let me apologize - I know there are a few other different threads concerning this - but since I haven't got an answer through Steam Support, yet AND my problem seems completly unsolvable...well, here we go:

I'm experiencing this very problem ever since a few days.
Every time I try to start steam and log in, I get this message:
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3365/connectiontosteamnetwor.jpg (German client)
Or the other one, where it gives me the additional option to retry connecting or running in offline mode.

The system I'm experiencing the error(s) on, is a laptop with wireless internet connection and administrative rights - Steam was running absolutely fine, until some days ago, or so. Other specs and stuff:
_______________________________________
General:

Intel Core2Duo CPU P8700 @ 2.53 GHz
4 GB RAM
500GB HDD in 2 partitions (Steam being on D: )
Some RADEON Mobility Graphics Card
Windows 7 64bit

Security:

Avira Antivir PE
Comodo Firewall
Spybot Search&Destroy
Ad-Aware
Windows Firewall DEactivated
Windows Defender DEactivated

Network:

"Realtek RTL8191SE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC"
on a
"ASUS RT-N66U" router
- German Steam client, German ISP
________________________________________

Again, it's been a couple of days to a couple of weeks, I wasn't using my laptop for a while.
When I first tried to start Steam again, I hadn't done ANY change to my system, before.

So I went and tried everything I could possibly find on google plus any forum I stumbled across.
Here's what I did so far:
(not in chronological order; some things I've done a couple of times in a different order)

- Checking internet connection per se (=> Running fine)
- Checking if other PCs in the network can connect to Steam (=> Working like a charm)
- Logging in to steampowered.com (=> Yup, changed nothing, though)
- Resetting both internet connection and PC (=> Changed nothing)
- Deleting all files in the Steam folder, but Steam.exe + Backup of SteamApps (=> Updated fine, but error messages keep popping up)
- De-installing Steam, rebooting PC, reinstalling Steam (=> Updated fine, but error messages keep popping up)
- Checked update history (WLAN drivers??) (=> not updated - in fact, I had Windows Update turned OFF, the entire time)
- (see above): Updated via Windows Update (=>125 updates and several reboots later, the problem still occurs)
- checked steampowered's list for possibly interfering programs that I might have installed (=> deleted a few[LogMeIn, Hamachi, Daemon Tools, etc.], but didn't expect the problem to change, since I didn't install anything around the time, when the problem first occurred)
- Updating WLAN drivers manually (=> didn't fix it, rolled it back [still no fix :P])
- Again, reinstalling Steam at this point (=> didn't fix it)
- Copying the Steam folder (except SteamApps) from another PC (which could connect just fine) (=> didn't fix it)
- Since I didn't have a system restore point .... I could'nt use that method..
- Tried to fix the registry entries, concerning offline mode (=> already set to 0 ; didn't change anything)
- Don't have the possibility to run wired instead of wireless, so... meh..
- Tried WinFixIt (or something like that) - updated again via Windows Update (=> didn't do anything)
- Used HotSpotShield to circumvent the problem (VPN to connect) (=> didn't change anything)
- Deactivated my Comodo Firewall and Avira AntiVir (=> didn't change anything)
- Portforwarded all necessary ports for steam (=> didn't change anything)
- Set Steam.exe and...well..the entire folder to "trusted file(s)" in Comodo (=> didn't change anything)
- Tried to connect to Steam on the "Administrator" account (=> didn't do anything)
- Tried to connect to Steam in safe mode with network drivers (=> didn't change it a bit)
- Connected to the router via another WirelessLAN stick (=> didn't change anything)
- Tried out different DNS-Servers(eg OpenDNS) on my wireless connection settings (instead of auto) (=> nothing)
- Re-Edited Portforwarding and Portriggering on my router (ASUS RT-N66U) (=> no change)
- Re-activated Windows Firewall and explicitly allowed any Steam-exe's. (=> no change)
- Rolled back ANY Windows update that I could possibly roll back (=> no change; repatched)
- Tried to connect to Steam through another VPN (=> nope)
- Tried deleting single files from the Steam folder (instead of the entire folder) and restart (=> updated instantly, no change)
- Checked the "hosts" file for any funny business, as far as I could tell (=>no change made, no change occurred)
- Checked Hijackthis for any malware or suspicious entries (=> some changes made; no effect)
- Set up msconfig a little different (start less processes and services) (=> no effect after reboot)

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Running out of ideas here -.-
There's IMHO no solution I could find on google, these forums, youtube and any other platform that helped :(
And I'm sure as hell not going to set the system up anew...just because Steam doesn't do, what it so proudly promises.
I payed for my games and I can't access them??? Not good, Steam, not good at all.

...Meanwhile, I've submitted a ticket, did get "http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1456-EUDN-2493" as a response.

Followed through those steps again - no change.

My thoughts so far:

- It HAS to be a client side problem.
- It does NOT have to do with anything already on my system (drivers, software)
- Since I didn't change anything on my system, it MUST have to do with a patch or sth.
- If the problem was actually caused by Steam, would it be justified to demand any compensation ? :D :D

No, but really...
WTH is wrong with my Steam?
I'd be thankful for any thought or solution on this :)

[arty1325]

Ok, I am having an issue here. I put together a computer for my kids because their old mobo died. The old computer ran steam and all games fine. Installed windows 7 on their new computer and when I put steam on there, I could not connect to steam. I have tried everything on here and no luck with any of it. I went as far as to completely wipe the computer and put a copy of windows 8. After installing the fresh copy, I went straight for steam and installed that and still won't work. Didn't install anything else. I am completely stumped. Can anyone give me any ideas? I have my PC and my son is home from college and both of our PC's run steam just fine.

[arty1325]

Nevermind, for some reason, I was just able to log in.

[Abaris]

For the last few guys to post here:

Please describe the problem a little more detailed :P
"I can't login" doesn't give too much information :D

Some things to always consider:

- reset internet connection and reboot PC multiple times (keep checking :P)
- reinstall Steam freshly (clean ALL leftovers first)
- login on another machine (make sure nobody steals your credentials :P)
- try resetting TCP/IP stack (as mentioned above)
- make sure you have enough space on your HDD left for Steam to properly update!

These few things seemed to solve login problems for a lot of people ;)

[Shaolin]

dude... i just formated my PC, and STILL NOT CONNECTING!!! i just dont know what to do!!!

[Shaolin]

Heres the deal, i was having a problem to connect to dota 2 servers, then I re installed steam, and now, i dont even connect to steam network...

[Abaris]

İlk olarak rinkAdink tarafından gönderildi:

dude... i just formated my PC, and STILL NOT CONNECTING!!! i just dont know what to do!!!

İlk olarak rinkAdink tarafından gönderildi:

Heres the deal, i was having a problem to connect to dota 2 servers, then I re installed steam, and now, i dont even connect to steam network...

If formatting doesn't solve this problem, I think the network connection itself or rather the firewall settings must have something to do with it ;)

Do you have "Steam Guard" activated? If so, you could adjust those settings in the registry (mentioned somewhere above) - maybe that'll help. Make sure your router and firewall settings are still correct - ports necessary for Steam forwarded etc..

[tels]

I was able to solve this issue in Windows Vista by using the windows task manager (with admin privileges, view processes from all users) to kill the OpenDNS interface and responder processes.

I diagnosed the problem (conflicting ports) using TCPView - a safe Microsoft program which displays application and process network traffic. You can download it from: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437

[furiousnewbie]

I found that going into the file properties and copying one of my old versions of the steam.exe file back into the folder and letting steam update again fixed my problem. For me the key seemed to be steam not updating correctly the first time. I did the command prompt steps before trying this though so it could be still that both are needed.

[Miles The Horse]

I know this is just a bit long gone, but I'd like to point out that I had the exact same problem to the point where people simply couldn't comprehend that I was completely locked out of steam due to the offline error with no choice on whether or not I could even open steam offline or not and so could not start a game online to let it update or go to Game -> Go Offline. It took me a lot longer than I would've liked to find this thread, but my fix wasn't any of the listed ones so I figured I'd put in my part.

For some reason, the security level on my router had been bumped up from Off to Medium, possibly due to a windows update error I had to manually fix and at which time I assume I effed up the security level, and it was not allowing Steam through, but I couldn't see that from my end without opening up the network control panel specifically for the router's security. Disabling the router's built-in security solved my problem.

Thanks for making a thread about this and getting it worked out! It's also amazing at the list of things you (and the rest of us, it seems) have tried to do to work this out. The list just seems to grow bigger every time.

[Echoes]

Sorry to bump this thread, but I'm having a strange issue with logging in to Steam.
Every time I start Steam, it starts in "Offline Mode". Clicking "Go Online" doesn't solve anything, however, logging out and restarting steam allows me to log in and connect flawlessly.

- My firewall/antivirus (ESET Endpoint) is set to allow Steam's (and Java's, for the Firebind test) traffic in and out for all the TCP and UDP ports. Some ports work occasionally though (see test)
- Somehow, these ports all fail the Firebind test! (http://www.ismyportblocked.com/?pc=steam)

Result - FAILURE
Firebind has detected Oracle Corporation Java 1.7.0_25 for Windows 7 (x86)

100%
Testing TCP Port: done
TCP Passed: 27046,27050
TCP Failed: 27014-27045,27047-27049 (click for details)
Testing UDP Port: done
UDP Passed: 27017-27018,27020,27027-27028,27030
UDP Failed: 1500,3005,3101,3478,4379-4380,27000-27016,27019,27021-27026,27029,28960 (click for details)


- I have tried pinging 8.8.8.8 and time out every tick.
- I have tried the netsh commands in CMD.exe as admin, rebooted, no luck.
- I have tried turning the firewall OFF for a while, no difference.
- I have tried deleting all Steam files except for SteamApps and Steam.exe and reinstalling, no luck.
- I am running on a wired connection, and this is the only computer in the house that's having issues. The other computers, which run on Wi-Fi, work fine.

I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit. I will edit this post as I try more options, thank you all in advance for any help!

[76561198030616898]

@EchoSixNine
since you are able to log in to steam after you logged out.. i doubt it's something related to your router or your connectivity but more likely anything with your steam installation. The fact that you dont receive ping replies might merely mean echo requests are blocked/discarded by your router (or another instance on the way) but yet again doubt it's your connection.

I'd say it's related to your steam installation. Maybe try and backup or merely move your steamapps folders somewhere else.. and uninstall steam via appwiz.cpl (controlpanel -> software) that should also remove some registry keys and maybe there's a faulty one among em. Also.. what happens if you use another steam account? and do you have autologin enabled? (assuming you do)

jess

[Echoes]

Hey Jess, I tried reinstalling Steam, but that didn't work.

HOWEVER, after reinstalling the entire PC, restarting all the routers multiple times and attempting all the solutions posted, Steam suddenly deecided to work flawlessly. WTF. Anyway, thanks for the help!

[Fritz Meowstro]

[Solved!] It seems that my Netgear router was blocking the TCP ports required for Steam to work for some odd reason. A firmware update solved my problem completely.



Hello, I am having a similar problem and cannot find a solution anywhere. This has been going on for weeks now and I'm finally asking for help.
Problem:
-Steam did not complete initial update until I went to my cousin's faster (1 MB/s) internet connection. My average download speed is a pathetic 150 KB/s with steam (which has worked previously on this PC)
-Works perfectly on my Mac which is on the same connection, also via Wi-Fi
-While i can start steam and log in with no problems, it is stuck in an 'Offline' state where I cannot download games or access my 'friends' community. Every once in a while it will reconnect and work on and off for a short time.
-

Attempted solutions:
-Trouble shooted my connection (Power cycled my network hardware, forwarded ports)
-erased drive and reinstalled windows
-Contacted Steam support (They were no help)
-ran port test that was mentioned earlier on this thread. This is the strange part. Even though my ports are forwarded, I still got 'port blocked' on many, but not all, TCP ports between 27014 and 27050.
-resetting Winsock settings or whatever it was that was mentioned earlier in this thread.
-Running steam as administrator and disabling Windows Firewall
-A whole bunch of other stuff

If you need any more information, don't hesitate to ask. I'm really getting desperate to get this fixed.

edit: I can access the Steam Store and Community flawlessly in the client.

[Captain Kickass]

I FOUND THE ANSWER! it turns out its my damn modem that i got from comcast! what i did is to lower the security for the modem and voila! it work! check it out!

[Neil McCauley]

İlk olarak Jessi tarafından gönderildi:

doubt it's the network driver since you tried with another wireless card, unless it was the exact same model/brand.

but maybe try to uninstall all the VPN Software you might have installed as they usually install virtual adapters. Also check device manager -> View -> display hidden devices (or something simiar) and review the "network adapters".

do you usually save your password in the client? If you do try to set your date back a few weeks. I've read in another "offline mode" thread that it looks like steam credentials seem to expire after a while and then you are required to connect to the internet again. So if you save your credentials try to set the date a few weeks back.. try offline mode and from there try to switch to online mode.

another thing you might try to "FIDDLE" with is.. all the registry entries regarding steam
maybe delete them and reinstall steam... or export them from a computer with properly working steam (there might be a problem with steam install path here if it's not default) and import them on your computer.

as for VMs you can try "Microsoft Virtual PC 2007" or "Virtual BOX". These should be free and not require you to register anywhere.

You could also try this ( www.youuuutube.com/watch?v=Pz1hB_yBHpM ).. and see if you can connect with it. (it's safe from what I can tell and I've used it myself before; remove the additional u's)

Jess

Thanks Jessi, I had the exact same problem. Starting in "Offline mode" then setting to "Online mode" under the "Steam" tab (upper left corner) as you suggested here, solved the problem for me.

Cheers bro :)