Discussion threads bugged, replies not loading

[76561198034531618]

For the past few days, I've been noticing this strange bug where responses to threads fail to load: you click a thread or a comment notification, and it takes you to the thread but only shows the original post, as if there were no responses yet.
Something similar happened previously, where only all new (=unread) responses failed to load, but this was infrequent, whereas the new problem is very frequent indeed (almost every time I click) and applies to all responses. Moreover, the new problem often requires reloading the thread multiple times (with Ctrl+F5) before the replies show up.

[Jenkins]

Having same problem . . . again.

[alonzoburns]

Originally posted by Kosmik Gopnik:

[...] responses to threads fail to load

^^this & similar issues with workshop items, screenshots and artwork - they just don't load properly.
I've opened a support ticket last night, will update this as soon as I've got an answer.

[76561198034531618]

Originally posted by alonzoburns:

Originally posted by Kosmik Gopnik:

[...] responses to threads fail to load

^^this & similar issues with workshop items, screenshots and artwork - they just don't load properly.
I've opened a support ticket last night, will update this as soon as I've got an answer.

Thanks, I would appreciate finding out, but I still have another support ticket open which they haven't responded too in a week now...

You are correct that it is not restricted to discussion threads, I'm also experiencing it with comment sections of groups and users. Interestingly, when it happens, wherever it happens, it will also indicate that I am not subscribed to that item/page, even though I am (how else would I be receiving notifications...)

[alonzoburns]

Steam support replied.

TL;DR

We know, deal with it.

my ticket

Originally posted by Message from you on Nov 25 @ 2:16am:

Hello Support Team.

Problem:
Since update 2019/11/22 commuity/ workshop content is not loading correctly.
Refreshing pages/cache [ctrl-F5] will solve issue in 3/10 times - sometimes community hub will not load at all.

I've followed all steps of your guide on improving performance, without success. Also, only Steam services are affected for me - no performance/ connectivity related problems with any other service.

Details:
1) Community Hub takes long time to load
2) Switching categories (e.g. Screenshots, Artwork) freezes client for +10secs
3) Discussion threads will show no answers, OP only
4) Media will not load, leaving empty frames or grey placeholder
5) Very misleading message on display (cf. attached screen) - please change it to: "Sorry, something went wrong" instead of "There is no content, start a discussion"

Tests I did:
- If I clicked on a link in my Activity Feed, all content was accessible
- [ctrl-F5] helped sometimes
- manually killing steamwebhelper.exe process tree helped, as soon as the process restarted (~2sec) page was loaded instantly

Please fix this.

While analyzing this issue, I've noticed how resource-hungry your client can be. I understand your push for VR, but please consider a Steam-Light client for normal people.

Thanks a lot,
Alonzo Burns
Files attached: steam.JPG

Here is their answer

Originally posted by Message from Steam Support on Nov 25 @ 11:05pm:

Thanks for contacting Steam Support.

This issue seems to be server-side, as we're experiencing it as well. Unfortunately, we don't have any time frames to offer on when to expect any fixes at this time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your patience.

Additionally, I'm forwarding your comments to the appropriate department.

Additionally, if you wish to share an opinion, suggestion, or idea with the community as well, please visit the Suggestions/Ideas section of the Steam Discussion forums.

This forum is regularly read by Valve's development team.

If you have an unrelated issue please reply here and I'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,
Joanna

My opinion

Rather generic answer, but I really appreciate that:

1. Steam acknowledges server-side issue
   
2. I didn't get pointed to their troubleshooting FAQ
   
3. I even got a text module concerning my request for a Steam-Light client ("go tell this to the forums, devs are reading those regularly" XD )

Take home message

Originally posted by Joana/Steam Support:

Unfortunately, we don't have any time frames to offer on when to expect any fixes at this time

[76561198034531618]

Agreed, it's not a great response, but it's the best we could realistically have hoped for...
Steam may be staffed by a bunch of psychotic chimpanzees, but at least they're our psychotic chimpanzees...

[alonzoburns]

Link to forum that is read by Valve's development team. That's one of those places, where I wouldn't like to be a moderator.

[76561198034531618]

Originally posted by alonzoburns:

Link to forum that is read by Valve's development team. That's one of those places, where I wouldn't like to be a moderator.

Well, I guess you're not wrong, but Steam moderators are so godawful nowadays anyway that I quite frankly wish them all the ♥♥♥♥ they can get, similarly to the Hong Kong police force... And they even get payed something for it, so ♥♥♥♥ 'em.

Thanks for the link anyway -- wish I could bookmark/pin that in my client, but eh :P

[76561198034531618]

Is anyone else also finding that the store page also won't load since the sale began?

[76561198034531618]

Soooooo, any chance this gets fixed before Steam loses massive sales during the Winter sale, because people can't research games before buying....?