Steam Network -- Inaccessible

Dyre Straits · Jan 18, 2006, 04:32 AM

I've been trying now for over a week to get connected to my Steam account.

Is anyone else having problems?

Dark Lord · Jan 18, 2006, 04:37 AM

nope, works just fine for me

Nforce2XP · Jan 18, 2006, 06:52 AM

No problems here!

**MIG-31** · Jan 18, 2006, 07:19 AM

apart from needing to sign in on every boot up over this last week....no problems other than that.

Dyre Straits · Jan 18, 2006, 08:07 AM

I'm getting a

"Cannot connect to the Steam Network.
There's either a problem with your Internet service or the Steam Network is down"

(Not those exact words, but close enough.)

niceguyrichy · Jan 18, 2006, 08:44 AM

for a couple of days I couldn't connect to any servers, but it's all working fine now

Tipstaff · Jan 18, 2006, 10:40 AM

I remember going through a bunch of things when a customer had this very issue. It turned out that a piece of spyware had screwed up the LSP layer of XP. In the end I had to reset it using LSP-FIX (a Winsock repair tool). After rebooting it seemed to work fine. If you run it though you will need to run a few broadband tweaks to get the speed back up to normal.

I should point out that in trying to find a solution I had gone through Valves "Steampowered Support" page, and these are a couple of other tricks to try first:

1) Go into your main Steam folder (C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam), and rename a file called ClientRegistry.blob to ~ClientRegistry.blob or some such name. What this will do is force Steam to update itself.

2) In the C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\config folder is a file called masterservers.vdf . Rename it to masterservers.bak, then restart Steam.

Of note, if #1 doesn't work then delete the file mentioned in #2 first, then follow #1. Also, these 2 solutions seemed to help a lot of people.

3) If you are on a router, double check the port settings. Normally Steam will work fine with UPNP routers, but sometimes it can seriously screw up. As a test assign your computer as a DMZ in the router settings. If it let's you through then you will need to route the Steam ports through it. One piece of info that kept cropping up was how inconsistant Zone Alarm can be in regards to Steam. Even with ZA set to allow Steam through it can still block it. Valves advice was to disable any software firewall (Windows FW or other), and see what happens when you try to run Steam again.

Steam Ports:
UDP 1200 (used for friends service)
UDP 27000 to 27015 inclusive
TCP 27020 to 27039 inclusive

4) Reinstall Steam. You can do that from THIS page. You may need to do a fresh reinstall of Steam first by going into add/remove programs, uninstalling Steam, then reinstalling Steam from the link. What people don't mention is what effect this will have on installed Steam games/apps. So, word of warning: this may also uninstall those as well.

5) Lastly, over and over again I kept reading about how "Steam.exe, and all related *.dll files can become corrupted". Nice. As a fix you can delete Steam.exe, and all related *.dll files that are in the root folder that Steam.exe is in. After that, reinstall Steam from the link I supplied.

Hope that gets you somewhere.

BWX · Jan 18, 2006, 11:15 AM

I just connected to test it out- it is updating (haven't opened it in a few weeks)..

It is slow as hell though.. 4 to 5 KB/s at first.. Then it went up to 30 or 40.. then it finished. -but it does work.

Dyre Straits · Jan 18, 2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

I remember going through a bunch of things when a customer had this very issue. It turned out that a piece of spyware had screwed up the LSP layer of XP. In the end I had to reset it using LSP-FIX (a Winsock repair tool). After rebooting it seemed to work fine. If you run it though you will need to run a few broadband tweaks to get the speed back up to normal.

I should point out that in trying to find a solution I had gone through Valves "Steampowered Support" page, and these are a couple of other tricks to try first:

1) Go into your main Steam folder (C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam), and rename a file called ClientRegistry.blob to ~ClientRegistry.blob or some such name. What this will do is force Steam to update itself.

Done: Didn't work.

2) In the C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\config folder is a file called masterservers.vdf . Rename it to masterservers.bak, then restart Steam.

Done: Didn't work, either.

Of note, if #1 doesn't work then delete the file mentioned in #2 first, then follow #1. Also, these 2 solutions seemed to help a lot of people.

Done: Didn't work.

3) If you are on a router, double check the port settings. Normally Steam will work fine with UPNP routers, but sometimes it can seriously screw up. As a test assign your computer as a DMZ in the router settings. If it let's you through then you will need to route the Steam ports through it. One piece of info that kept cropping up was how inconsistant Zone Alarm can be in regards to Steam. Even with ZA set to allow Steam through it can still block it. Valves advice was to disable any software firewall (Windows FW or other), and see what happens when you try to run Steam again.

Steam Ports:
UDP 1200 (used for friends service)
UDP 27000 to 27015 inclusive
TCP 27020 to 27039 inclusive

All Ports are set up properly in the router. Still can't access Steam via my user name.

4) Reinstall Steam. You can do that from THIS page. You may need to do a fresh reinstall of Steam first by going into add/remove programs, uninstalling Steam, then reinstalling Steam from the link. What people don't mention is what effect this will have on installed Steam games/apps. So, word of warning: this may also uninstall those as well.

5) Lastly, over and over again I kept reading about how "Steam.exe, and all related *.dll files can become corrupted". Nice. As a fix you can delete Steam.exe, and all related *.dll files that are in the root folder that Steam.exe is in. After that, reinstall Steam from the link I supplied.

Hope that gets you somewhere.

Tipstaff, thanks a bunch for the detailed suggestions.

The last time I was able to access Steam was on January 1. I have a HUGE Steam.log showing subsequent attempts all listing the same thing.

CsComm Connection Jan-01-2006 04:06:40.521 [3136] {Cnx=1,1,68.142.81.5:27030} : Removing session 1
CsComm ConnectionPool Jan-01-2006 04:06:40.521 [3136] Disconnect(1)
CsComm Connection Jan-01-2006 04:06:40.521 [2308] Recv Worker (2308) Told to exit
CsComm Connection Jan-01-2006 04:06:40.663 [3136] {Cnx=1,4,68.142.81.5:27030} : disconnected

CsComm Session Jan-04-2006 08:13:34.298 [3636] ReconnectThread (3636) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-04-2006 08:22:15.793 [3636] ReconnectThread (3636) Told to exit

CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 06:28:32.018 [3008] ReconnectThread (3008) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 06:29:09.794 [3008] ReconnectThread (3008) Told to exit

CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 06:29:46.456 [536] ReconnectThread (536) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 06:36:45.798 [536] ReconnectThread (536) Told to exit

CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 14:07:03.721 [1832] ReconnectThread (1832) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-09-2006 14:07:29.922 [1832] ReconnectThread (1832) Told to exit

CsComm Session Jan-10-2006 00:45:22.049 [3092] ReconnectThread (3092) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-10-2006 00:50:06.355 [3092] ReconnectThread (3092) Told to exit

CsComm Session Jan-17-2006 03:55:06.742 [1820] ReconnectThread (1820) Starting
CsComm Session Jan-17-2006 03:55:38.515 [1820] ReconnectThread (1820) Told to exit

After deleting the two files mentioned, when I started Steam it went through the updating just fine. When it reached the point where I had to login, it quit again and told me there must be something wrong with my Internet connection or with the Steam Servers.

If I'm not mistaken, this problem started up at about the time we did some Network configuration here that includes a mix of wireless and wired connections.

I'm beginning to think that maybe it's a DNS problem due to the way this network had to be changed in order for all computers to connect to the Internet.

However, why would Steam go through all the updating and then not let me connect?

I even did a request for lost password without any problem. ???

Tipstaff · Jan 19, 2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

However, why would Steam go through all the updating and then not let me connect?

I even did a request for lost password without any problem. ???

I'm not exactly sure. I know that you don't need to be logged into Steam in order to get the updates for Steam itself. It could be that when Steam is trying to log into the main server that is being blocked somehow, or it could be that it needs to make a secured connection, and that your current setup doesn't allow for that anymore. For example, some programs don't like to be run through anonymous IP programs, and Steam could be one of them. The DNS changes you mentioned could have the same type of effect, and Steam could be looking at it as though you were trying to hide your IP/DNS. At the very least it might find it suspecious, and refuse connection.

Dyre Straits · Jan 19, 2006, 07:01 PM

It's looking like an uninstall/fresh install may be the only way to possibly correct this.

(Just another reason I'm STEAMED at Steam! Never have liked this system.

)

EDIT: That didn't work, either! I uninstalled, used CCleaner to clean out all references in the Registry, rebooted, got a new download of the Steam Installer, installed it, ran it, it updated, and then I tried to login under an existing account...mine.

I got the same error that I've been getting: Cannot connect to the Steam Network......problem with your Internet Connection or the Steam Network.....blah, blah, blah!

I have to leave for work now. Will take a look at this later tonight.

MythicaL · Jan 20, 2006, 05:31 AM

The Steam network is always inaccessible... not to mention the Friends feature

Mr cairo · Jan 20, 2006, 08:24 AM

are you running summut like peer guardian as the latest updates on that can sotimes block a connection to steam

Dyre Straits · Jan 20, 2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cairo

are you running summut like peer guardian as the latest updates on that can sotimes block a connection to steam

Nope, nothing like that.

In fact, the only thing I've really done that, in my mind, could have affected the connection is to do that Network reconfiguration at about the time I quit getting connected.

Nothing else has changed since the first of January when I last got connected.

g35x · Jan 20, 2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythicaL

The Steam network is always inaccessible... not to mention the Friends feature

so true

Dyre Straits · Jan 21, 2006, 08:40 AM

You are NOT going to believe this. (Well, maybe you will.

)

I have a full backup copy of Steam on another hard drive that I completely forgot about. It was pointed out when I ran a game search engine to see about updates and patches.

Anyway, when I rediscovered this back up, I decided to simply RUN the STEAM.EXE from that hard drive and, IT CONNECTED!!! Totally threw me for a loop.

I guess I can't help asking, WHY? would it connect from a backup and not from the installed one on my C:\ drive?

BWX · Jan 21, 2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

You are NOT going to believe this. (Well, maybe you will.

)

I have a full backup copy of Steam on another hard drive that I completely forgot about. It was pointed out when I ran a game search engine to see about updates and patches.

Anyway, when I rediscovered this back up, I decided to simply RUN the STEAM.EXE from that hard drive and, IT CONNECTED!!! Totally threw me for a loop.

I guess I can't help asking, WHY? would it connect from a backup and not from the installed one on my C:\ drive?

I bet if you uninstalled/ deleted that backup folder- then re-installed steam, it would work correctly.

I remember I had the same problem when I was switching over to a new HD and still had the old installation on the original HD.

Dyre Straits · Jan 21, 2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

I bet if you uninstalled/ deleted that backup folder- then re-installed steam, it would work correctly.

I remember I had the same problem when I was switching over to a new HD and still had the old installation on the original HD.

But this begs the question: Why was the installation on my C:\ Drive working flawlessly until only the first of this month? It just simply quit working from that time till now. (As described in my previous posts.) I've had this backup copy all along...probably going back to around a year ago and it never gave me any trouble before now. ???

BWX · Jan 21, 2006, 09:13 AM

Only thing I can think of is that maybe they are doing more extensive checking or something..

I would try that though, and see what happens. I bet it will work after that.

Dyre Straits · Feb 1, 2006, 04:19 AM

I finally got around to working some more on this problem. After uninstalling Steam and the games, then doing a Windows Repair installation, followed by installing HL-2 again...along with Steam, of course, everything is now working again.

Jan 18, 2006, 06:52 AM	#3
Nforce2XP DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los angeles Posts: 201 Rep Power: 0	No problems here! __________________ RES.T.A.R.S

Jan 18, 2006, 07:19 AM	#4
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,818 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	apart from needing to sign in on every boot up over this last week....no problems other than that. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Jan 18, 2006, 10:40 AM	#7
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	I remember going through a bunch of things when a customer had this very issue. It turned out that a piece of spyware had screwed up the LSP layer of XP. In the end I had to reset it using LSP-FIX (a Winsock repair tool). After rebooting it seemed to work fine. If you run it though you will need to run a few broadband tweaks to get the speed back up to normal. I should point out that in trying to find a solution I had gone through Valves "Steampowered Support" page, and these are a couple of other tricks to try first: 1) Go into your main Steam folder (C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam), and rename a file called ClientRegistry.blob to ~ClientRegistry.blob or some such name. What this will do is force Steam to update itself. 2) In the C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\config folder is a file called masterservers.vdf . Rename it to masterservers.bak, then restart Steam. Of note, if #1 doesn't work then delete the file mentioned in #2 first, then follow #1. Also, these 2 solutions seemed to help a lot of people. 3) If you are on a router, double check the port settings. Normally Steam will work fine with UPNP routers, but sometimes it can seriously screw up. As a test assign your computer as a DMZ in the router settings. If it let's you through then you will need to route the Steam ports through it. One piece of info that kept cropping up was how inconsistant Zone Alarm can be in regards to Steam. Even with ZA set to allow Steam through it can still block it. Valves advice was to disable any software firewall (Windows FW or other), and see what happens when you try to run Steam again. Steam Ports: UDP 1200 (used for friends service) UDP 27000 to 27015 inclusive TCP 27020 to 27039 inclusive 4) Reinstall Steam. You can do that from THIS page. You may need to do a fresh reinstall of Steam first by going into add/remove programs, uninstalling Steam, then reinstalling Steam from the link. What people don't mention is what effect this will have on installed Steam games/apps. So, word of warning: this may also uninstall those as well. 5) Lastly, over and over again I kept reading about how "Steam.exe, and all related .dll files can become corrupted". Nice. As a fix you can delete Steam.exe, and all related .dll files that are in the root folder that Steam.exe is in. After that, reinstall Steam from the link I supplied. Hope that gets you somewhere. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Jan 18, 2006 at 10:55 AM.

Jan 18, 2006, 11:15 AM	#8
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	I just connected to test it out- it is updating (haven't opened it in a few weeks).. It is slow as hell though.. 4 to 5 KB/s at first.. Then it went up to 30 or 40.. then it finished. -but it does work. __________________

Jan 20, 2006, 05:31 AM	#12
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	The Steam network is always inaccessible... not to mention the Friends feature __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Jan 18, 2006, 04:37 AM	#2
Dark Lord HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,945 Rep Power: 125 System Specs	nope, works just fine for me __________________

Jan 20, 2006, 08:24 AM	#13
Mr cairo F0rum For Humans Only Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Slightly to the left Posts: 1,780 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	are you running summut like peer guardian as the latest updates on that can sotimes block a connection to steam __________________ *Please consider Sponsoring my wife for the race for life*

Jan 21, 2006, 09:13 AM	#19
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Only thing I can think of is that maybe they are doing more extensive checking or something.. I would try that though, and see what happens. I bet it will work after that. __________________