Many users have reported that the Steam gaming client can get stuck in an offline mode, even when there are no general internet connection issues on their PCs. For example, one user said: “Hello, a few days ago I intentionally put Steam in Offline mode. Today, when I tried to get it back online, Steam says there isn’t an available internet connection.” Consequently, players can’t play online-only games that aren’t available in offline mode. This is how you can fix the Steam won’t go online gaming issue on Windows PCs.
Log Out and Back Into Steam
First, try logging out and back into Steam. Relogging into Steam will force the software to refresh its connection. You can relog into your Steam software like this:
- Run the Steam client software.
- Click your user profile name at the top right of Steam to select Sign out of account.
The Sign out of account option
- Restart your Steam software.
- Then, input your user account details to log in again.
Clear the Download Cache for Steam
One of the most widely confirmed ways to resolve the Steam won’t go online issue is to clear the download cache for Valve’s gaming client. Applying this troubleshooting method can clear corrupted or outdated cache data. This Steam page for clearing the download cache explains how users can apply this potential fix.
The Clear Cache option
Set Steam for TCP
Setting the TCP protocol for Valve’s gaming client may fix the Steam won’t go online issue, because TCP is more reliable than UDP. You can set a TCP launch parameter for Steam like this:
- Right-click on your Steam desktop icon to select the Properties context menu.
- Next, input -tcp at the end of the Target field on the Shortcut tab. For example, the path in the Target field box should look something like this: “C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe” -tcp.
The Shortcut tab
- Select Apply > OK to set the new shortcut settings for Steam.
Execute Ipconfig Commands
Flushing the DNS resolver cache might clear outmoded or corrupted IP address data that’s causing the Steam won’t go online issue. I also recommend renewing the IP address and resetting Winsock. Go through these steps to execute the required network-troubleshooting commands:
- Open the search tool, which has a handy Windows logo + S hotkey for accessing it.
- Next, type in the CMD keyword into the Windows search tool.
- Right-click the Command Prompt result shown in the search utility to select a Run as administrator option for that app.
- Enter and execute these commands:
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsch winsock reset
The flush DNS command
Reinstall Steam
Reinstalling Steam is a last resort potential resolution for the Steam won’t go online issue that has worked for some players. Uninstalling Valve’s gaming client will also remove software installed with it. To remove Steam, go through the steps on this Valve support page, which also explains how you can back up game data.
The Programs and Features uninstall tool
When you’ve uninstalled the gaming client, click the Install Steam option on this download page. Open the folder containing the Steam installer file. Double-click the Steam installation file and go through the setup wizard to install.
The potential resolutions covered here are among the best ways to fix the Steam won’t go online issue. They’re tried and trusted troubleshooting methods for resolving that gaming client issue. You can also ask Valve’s Steam help for more potential fixes from this support page. Click Steam Client > Offline Mode > Contact Steam Support from there to send a help ticket.
