7 Ways to Fix the Steam Overlay Not Working on a Windows PC

The Steam overlay is a feature many players use for capturing in-game screenshots and accessing chat, friends list, and invite options. However, this overlay doesn’t always work for some players, even when seemingly enabled. For example, one player said this about that overlay not working,  “My Steam overlay doesn’t work for some reason… The overlay is enabled on Steam and the game itself, but when I press the keybind to open the overlay, I can’t see anything.“

Toggle the Steam Overlay Off and Back On

Some players report that they’ve fixed the Steam overlay not working by turning it off and then back on again. I recommend trying this because you’ll at least check if the general overlay is enabled in Steam. If it is, you can switch it off and back on for a refresh. This is how you can turn the Steam overlay on and off.

1. Open the Steam client.
2. Click Steam > Settings > In-Game within the client software.
3. Next, click the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game toggle switch to turn off that setting if enabled.
   
   

   The Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game setting

4. Click the toggle switch for the Enable the Steam Overlay option to re-enable that setting.

Check Steam Overlay is Enabled for a Specific Game

Also, note that the Steam overlay can be turned off for specific games even when it is generally enabled. If the Steam overlay is not working for a certain game, check if it’s disabled for that game. You can enable Steam’s overlay for a game like this:

1. Open the Steam gaming software and its Library tab.
2. Right-click a game to enable the overlay and select Properties.
3. Turn on the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game setting within the General tab.

The General tab

Run Steam With Administrator Access

Many users have confirmed that running Valve’s gaming client with administrative rights can resolve the issue with the Steam overlay not working. Setting admin rights for Steam gives the software full system privileges. So, try setting administrator rights for your Steam software like this:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the Steam installation directory, which typically has a default path of C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.
2. Right-click the Steam.exe file to select Properties > Compatibility.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator by clicking its checkbox.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. Press the OK and Apply buttons within the window.
5. Repeat steps two to four above for the GameOverlayUI.exe file.

Check You’re Pressing the Right Overlay Key

The default hotkey for activating the overlay is Shift + Tab. However, users can change that hotkey via settings. So, double-check what hotkey is set for the overlay like this:

1. Go through steps one and two of the first resolution in this guide to view the In-Game tab in Steam.
2. Then, look for the Overlay shortcut setting. Try pressing that hotkey to activate the overlay when playing a game.
3. If it still doesn’t work, change the keyboard shortcut by clicking the Overlay shortcut key(s) box and pressing an alternative key combination. Select Confirm to save.

The Set Hotkey option

Verify Affected Steam Games

If the overlay doesn’t work for a specific game, try running a verification scan for the affected game. Corrupted game files are a potential cause for the Steam overlay not working. This Steam help page includes step-by-step instructions for repairing game files by selecting the Verify option.

The Verify integrity of game files button

Temporarily Disable Firewalls

Steam’s support service recommends temporarily disabling firewalls to test if they’re conflicting with the overlay feature. This Microsoft guide page tells you how users can turn off the built-in firewall via Windows Security. Turn off that firewall, or any third-party alternative installed on your PC, and then try activating the Steam overlay to see if that works.

Don’t leave your firewall permanently disabled even if this potential fix works. You can add the Steam software to the Windows Defender Firewall exclusion as covered on this Microsoft page. Select the Private and Public checkboxes for the Steam software added to that firewall exceptions list.

The Windows firewall’s allowed apps list

Disable Third-Party Startup Apps and Services

The Steam overlay not working might be because of some third-party background apps running on your PC. That’s especially likely if any background apps share the same hotkeys as Steam’s overlay. To ensure there isn’t an app conflict, try turning off third-party startup programs and services with the clean-boot troubleshooting method, as instructed on this Microsoft website page.

The Services tab in System Configuration

Other Possible Ways to Fix the Steam Overlay Not Working

Try applying the troubleshooting methods above to fix the Steam overlay not working first. If they’re not enough, try applying these additional potential fixes:

• Reinstall your Steam software (also removes games installed).
• Turn off overlays in other software packages, such as GeForce Experience.
• Add Steam to your antivirus tool’s exclusions list.
• Try setting games to run as administrator and starting them from their installation directories in the Steamapps\common folder rather than the game client.

Those troubleshooting methods are some of the best ways you can fix the Steam overlay not working for games. If the overlay still doesn’t work, consider contacting Steam’s help service for more potential fixes. To do so, click Contact Steam Support on this page.