Learn How To Fix Steam Must Be Running To Play This Game (2023 Guide).In this tutorial, you will learn how to fix the "Steam must be running to play this game" error. This error message typically occurs when you try to launch a game on Steam, but the Steam client is not running or properly connected. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Restart Steam: Sometimes, the error can be resolved by simply restarting the Steam client. Close Steam completely and then launch it again. Try launching the game once more to see if the error persists.

Verify Steam is up to date: Ensure that you are using the latest version of the Steam client. Steam regularly releases updates that may include bug fixes and compatibility improvements. Go to the Steam menu (top left corner) and select "Check for Steam Client Updates" to check for updates and install them if available.

Check your internet connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. Steam requires an active internet connection to authenticate your game licenses. If your connection is unstable or interrupted, it can cause issues with launching games. Try restarting your router or connecting to a different network to rule out any connection-related problems.

Run Steam as administrator: Right-click on the Steam shortcut or executable and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu. This can help ensure that Steam has the necessary permissions to run games properly. Try launching the game again after running Steam as an administrator.

Verify game files: Steam provides a built-in feature to verify the integrity of game files. Right-click on the game that is giving you the error in your Steam library and select "Properties." In the Properties window, go to the "Local Files" tab and click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files." Steam will scan and repair any corrupted or missing files. After the process completes, try launching the game again.

Disable antivirus or firewall: Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software can interfere with Steam and prevent games from launching. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall software and check if the error persists. If disabling the security software resolves the issue, you may need to add exceptions or create rules to allow Steam and the game executable to run without interference.

Reinstall Steam: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can try reinstalling the Steam client. Before reinstalling, make sure to back up your game files by copying the "SteamApps" folder from the Steam installation directory to a safe location. Uninstall Steam from your computer, download the latest version from the official Steam website, and reinstall it. After reinstalling, launch Steam and try launching the game again.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "Steam must be running to play this game" error and successfully launch your games on Steam. If the issue persists, you may need to reach out to Steam Support for further assistance.