Steam access denied error [Fix it with 6 tested methods]

If it’s a service-wide error that affects all Steam users, you can be sure that Valve already knows about it and is doing the best to solve it quickly.

We’ve briefly mentioned at the beginning of our guide that most of the time the Steam access denied error seems to sort itself out.

Therefore, if you’ve already tried all of our suggested fixes and nothing seems to work, the problem may be on Steam’s side.

In this case, your best course of action is to simply wait for Valve to take care of this situation. In the meantime, you can check the Steam server situation.

2. Use a specialized VPN

It’s not unheard of that sometimes, Steam might temporarily restrict access from certain IP addresses.

This is exactly why an issue such as the Steam access denied error exists, to begin with. Maybe there were too many requests from your IP address, who knows?

To rule an IP block, even a temporary one, you can try changing your IP address and see if you’re still getting the error message.

VPNs such as Private Internet Access are one of the most effective ways to change your IP address since they also encrypt traffic and spoof your location.

Private Internet Access has an extremely user-friendly interface, being one of the most easy-to-use and popular VPNs around the world.

It offers thousands of servers located in more than 70 countries. Plus, with its ultra-strong encryption generated with the AES-256 bit model, this VPN will always make sure that user data stays safe and is not discovered by cyber-criminals.

PIA’s manufacturers have started offering dedicated IP addresses to customers. By this, you have to consider having the same public IP address every time you connect to the VPN. 

Also, Private Internet Access includes a multi-hop feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one.

Check out Private Internet Access’s most important features:

• Tons of servers in worldwide locations
• AES-256 bit encryption
• Multi-hop features

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3. Flush your DNS

1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on the first result, then choose to Run as an administrator.
2. Type the following commands:
   • ipconfig /flushdns
   • ipconfig /registerdns
   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /renew
   • netsh winsock reset
3. Press the Enter key after each of the above commands.
4. Restart your computer

Cached data build-ups can sometimes be confusing for your connection and could even render some addresses unreachable.

Clearing your DNS cache (also called flushing your DNS) might seem complicated, but it’s really not.

Just follow the steps above and the Steam access denied error may vanish for good. Don’t forget to restart your PC after running the last command.

4. Change your DNS

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type control and press Enter key to open the Control Panel.
3. Select Network and Internet.
4. Go to the Network and Sharing Center.
5. Select the Change adapter settings option.
6. Right-click your active network and select Properties.
7. Locate and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click on Properties.
8. Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option.
9. Type the following values in the appropriate fields:
   • Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4
10. Click OK to save the changes

A limited DNS server can cause various connectivity issues or conflicts with the Steam client.

With that in mind, you may want to try to switch to a better DNS alternative other than your ISP-assigned one.

There are various free public DNS servers you can use, and we’ll teach you how to perform this configuration safely.

Keep in mind that you can use any third-party DNS server you prefer. The one we used in our example is Google’s public DNS, and it works great.

5. Verify Integrity of Steam Files

1. Hit the Windows key, search for Steam, then open the app.
2. If you’re not logged in, input your credentials, then click on Log In.
3. Now, from the main menu, click on Library.
4. Right-click the affected game and select Properties.
5. Go to the Local Files tab.
6. Click on the Verify Integrity of Game Files button.
7. Wait for the file validation to come to an end.

If the error is occurring while accessing a specific game, you may want to verify the integrity of files to check if the files are installed correctly. Steam offers a built-in solution to do the same. Here is how to do it.

Checking security software on your computer for rules against certain services is always a good start when encountering connection issues.

For instance, if your firewall blocks traffic to and from specific apps, such as Steam, they might not work as intended.

In turn, you may encounter error messages such as the Steam access denied one. The same goes for antivirus/antimalware software that you installed on your PC.

If security software has decided that Steam or some of its services are bad for your PC and should be blocked, you may encounter connectivity issues.

What other Steam errors should I be aware of?

You should know that the Steam access denied error is not the only one that might occur while running this app. Because it is important to be aware of and prevent all the threats that you might face, take a look at the following list:

• AppHangB1 error on Steam – This usually causes your PC to become unresponsive or extremely slow, so it can be extremely annoying. Fortunately, we’ve prepared some solutions that will certainly solve this issue.
• Application load error 65432 on Steam – It seems like this error message pops up for some players when they try to launch Skyrim and other Bethesda games. 
• Application load error 5:0000065434 in Steam – According to some users, this error appears when they start the game from Nexus Mod Manager. However, it also loads fine if they start it from Steam. If you’re curious about solving this annoying problem, make sure you check our dedicated guide.
• General Steam errors on Windows 10 – We’ve also compiled an article that indicates the most popular Steam errors on Windows 10 and their easiest fixing solutions. We strongly recommend saving this guide somewhere for bad days.