Gaming & Tech Errors | Updated August 1, 2026 | 7 min read
Steam Error Code 118: Why It Happens and 7 Fixes That Work
Quick Answer
Steam Error Code 118 means “Unable to connect to server. Server may be offline or you may not be connected to the internet.” It’s a connection failure between your Steam client and Valve’s servers, usually caused by an unstable internet connection, Windows Firewall blocking Steam, or a conflicting background app. Restarting Steam, power-cycling your router, and allowing Steam through your firewall fix it for most users.
If you’ve tried to open the Steam Store or Library and hit a wall with Error Code 118 (sometimes shown as -118), you’re dealing with one of Steam’s most common connection errors. It doesn’t mean your account or game files are broken — it means your PC and Valve’s servers aren’t talking to each other properly. The fix is almost always on your end, and it’s usually quick.
What Is Steam Error Code 118?
Error 118 is Steam’s way of telling you it couldn’t reach Valve’s servers. It typically blocks access to the Store, Friends list, or Library, even while games you’ve already installed may still launch and run fine offline.
What Causes Steam Error Code 118?
- Weak or dropped internet connection — the single most common trigger.
- Windows Firewall blocking Steam — if Steam isn’t whitelisted, Windows can silently cut off its server access.
- Background applications — VPNs, download managers, or bandwidth-heavy apps competing for your connection.
- Outdated or corrupt network drivers on your PC.
- Misconfigured DNS settings that slow down or block the route to Steam’s servers.
- Outdated Steam client running an older build with a known connectivity bug.
7 Fixes for Steam Error Code 118
1. Restart Steam
Close Steam completely from the system tray (right-click the icon > Exit) and reopen it. Error 118 is frequently just a temporary client glitch that clears on its own after a restart.
2. Check and Restart Your Internet Connection
Run a quick speed test to confirm you’re actually online and getting a stable speed. If it looks weak, power-cycle your router: unplug it for about a minute, plug it back in, and wait for the connection lights to stabilize before relaunching Steam.
3. Allow Steam Through Windows Firewall
- Open Settings (Win + I) > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
- Click Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
- Click Change settings, confirm admin access, then find the Steam entries.
- Check both Private and Public boxes for every Steam-related entry, click OK, and restart Steam.
4. Close Bandwidth-Heavy Background Apps
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), check the Processes tab, and close anything consuming a lot of network bandwidth — torrent clients, cloud backup tools, or other download managers are common culprits.
5. Switch to Google’s Public DNS
Open Network Connections, right-click your active adapter, go to Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties, and set the DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. This routes around ISP-side DNS issues that can trigger connection errors like 118.
6. Update Your Network Drivers
Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, and select Update driver. Outdated drivers are a known but easy-to-miss cause of intermittent Steam connection drops.
7. Update the Steam Client
If Steam still launches in offline mode, go to Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates from the menu bar once you regain any connection, or reinstall the latest client from Steam’s official site to rule out a bug in an older build.
Fix Priority Table
Work down this table in order — it’s ranked by how often each step resolves error 118 based on community troubleshooting reports.
| Fix | Success Rate | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Restart Steam | High | 1 minute |
| Restart router/modem | High | 3-5 minutes |
| Allow Steam through firewall | Medium-High | 3 minutes |
| Close background apps | Medium | 2 minutes |
| Switch to Google Public DNS | Medium | 5 minutes |
| Update network drivers | Medium | 5-10 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Steam Error Code 118 mean my account is banned?
No. It’s a connection error between the Steam client and Valve’s servers, not an account or security issue.
Can I still play games while seeing this error?
Often yes, if the game supports offline mode and is already installed. Error 118 mainly blocks the Store, Friends, and Library pages that need a live server connection.
What’s the difference between Error 118 and Error 138?
Both are Steam connection warnings. Error 118 means Steam couldn’t reach Valve’s servers at all, while error 138 typically means a specific page failed to load after a partial connection.
What should I check first if I only have a minute?
Restart Steam completely and confirm your internet connection is active. Those two steps alone resolve the error for most users.
TL;DR
- Steam Error Code 118 is a client-to-server connection failure, not an account or ban issue.
- Restarting Steam and your router fixes it for most players in under 5 minutes.
- Whitelisting Steam in Windows Firewall and closing bandwidth-heavy apps solve most remaining cases.
- If it persists, check your DNS settings, network drivers, and Steam client version.
For general connection troubleshooting on Windows, see Microsoft’s official network connection troubleshooting guide. Also dealing with a different Steam crash? Read our guide on the Mistfall Hunter Fatal Error fix.
Written by Freddy John
Freddy John covers PC gaming platform errors and troubleshooting guides for SeminarsOnly News. Fixes in this guide are cross-checked against widely reported causes and Steam’s own connection error documentation before publication.
