Steam Error Code 118 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Steam Error Code 118 means Steam cannot connect to its servers. The message usually says 'Unable to connect to the Steam network'. This is almost always a network issue on your end — a firewall, VPN, or ISP problem — rather than Steam itself being down.

Affected Models

Steam (Windows)
Steam (macOS)
Steam (Linux)

Common Causes

A firewall or antivirus is blocking Steam's connection to its servers
A VPN or proxy is preventing Steam from reaching the right servers
Your ISP is having temporary connectivity issues
Steam's servers are experiencing an outage (rare)
The Steam client's network configuration files have become corrupted

How to Fix It

Check steamstat.us or store.steampowered.com in a browser. If Steam's website also won't load, the problem may be your internet connection.

This tells you immediately if Steam's servers are down or if the issue is on your end.
Restart your router and modem. Unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Wait for the connection to fully come back and reopen Steam.

A router restart refreshes your network connection and clears any stale routing issues.
Disable any VPN or proxy you're using, then try connecting to Steam again.

Steam blocks connections from many VPN IP ranges. Disabling the VPN is one of the most common fixes.
In Windows Firewall, make sure Steam.exe is allowed. Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

If Steam is blocked by a firewall, it can't reach its servers regardless of your internet being fine.
Delete Steam's network configuration cache. Close Steam, navigate to your Steam install folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam), and delete the file named 'ClientRegistry.blob'. Restart Steam.

This file stores network config and can become corrupted. Steam recreates it automatically.

When to Call a Professional

Error 118 is a network connectivity issue. No professional repair is needed. If the issue persists on a reliable internet connection with no VPN or firewall, contact your ISP — they may have a routing issue affecting Steam's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Steam show error 118 but my internet is working fine?

Your internet being 'on' doesn't mean Steam can reach its servers. A firewall, VPN, or a routing issue between your ISP and Steam's servers can block the connection while the rest of your internet works normally. Check whether Steam's website loads in a browser.

Can I play games I already own offline when I see error 118?

Yes — if you have previously launched the games. Switch Steam to Offline Mode (Steam menu > Go Offline) and you can play most single-player games without an internet connection. Online games and games with required online DRM won't work offline.

How long do Steam server outages usually last?

Outages are rare and usually short — most are resolved within an hour. Steam's busiest times (Tuesday update windows, major sale launches) are when brief outages are most likely. Check the Steam status page and wait if the servers are confirmed down.