Steam causes Windows to soft-lock upon launch, Support doesn't care to help

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Topher_Armour 2 Dec @ 12:01pm

Whenever I launch Steam, it causes all running processes to slowly stop responding, and then I cannot start or end any new processes even with task manager. Meaning, when I double-click programs, nothing happens. Any programs I have running will slowly stop responding. I cannot start any new programs or terminate existing ones. Command prompt ceases to function properly. Task manager shows minimal resource usage, and the Steam window does not show up. Nothing strange in Event Viewer. The only way to fix it is to hold down my power button and hard reset the computer. This issue has never come up before and is only caused by the Steam client. Otherwise my computer works wonderfully. I uninstalled/reinstalled Steam. Didn't fix anything. I am not going to reinstall Windows as that is a pain and if it fixes it at all, is probably a band-aid fix and I suspect the symptoms will return in a few weeks.
I submitted a support request which appears to have just been read by ChatGPT and automatically closed because somehow a computer issue that is only caused by running Steam was flagged by them as not a Steam issue. I copied and pasted all of that below. Come on guys, that's sucky customer service. Any tips on how to fix this, since Steam clearly doesn't care to help me? First, I disabled my iGPU as someone on Reddit suggested. Fixed the issue for a few weeks and now it is back.

COPIED/PASTED STEAM SUPPORT TICKET
"Message from you on Nov 30 @ 7:07pm | 1 day and 19 hours ago
Steam softlocks Windows upon attempting to launch Steam or any Steam game. Initially I was able to fix this by turning off my iGPU in BIOS, but now a few weeks later the issue is back. I reinstalled Steam and that fixed nothing. Annoyingly, the uninstalled wiped all of my games off of my C drive as well as my install so if I ever get it working I'll have to reinstall everything anyway. No other programs have any sort of issues on this computer. My symptoms are the exact same as in these Reddits posts here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1ecl56y/steam_keeps_freezing_my_pc_please_help/
https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1bevw0a/steam_freezes_my_pc_any_suggestions_welcome/

If I disable all network adapters, Steam still does not launch properly but instead of it instantly hanging the computer, it takes a few minutes.
This is not just a me thing. Several other people have had these same issues and are seemingly unable to solve them. When Steam hangs the computer, I cannot start or end any processes/executables, including Steam, and the only way to fix it is to hard reset the PC by holding down the power button."

"From your description it sounds like you're having larger issues that need to be resolved before we try and troubleshoot any game or Steam issues you're seeing. If your machine is powering down, crashing, or blue screening this indicates critical OS-level issues and possibly hardware failure. Unfortunately, issues like these are not something we can help with at Steam Support; attempting to troubleshoot game or Steam-related issues if your machine is in a bad state may only create more problems.

We recommend reaching out to Microsoft Support for help. If they can't resolve the larger issues you're seeing we can only recommend contacting a local PC technician for in-depth PC troubleshooting. Resolving your larger issues will result in a better experience when trying to play games on Steam.

I'm sorry we can't be of more help with this.

Steam Support
Dorian"

"No OS-level issues, no problems at all until I launch Steam.

There is no blue screen or any Windows issues. My computer works wonderfully, with zero issues with any app ever, except when I try to launch Steam. If I start the computer in safe mode with networking, Steam will update itself but then does not open properly. Interestingly, I can end it with task manager in safe mode and the computer does not hang. However, in "normal" windows, I am unable to kill Steam in task manager and the system becomes unusable (All programs that are running eventually stop responding, I cannot start or stop any programs. CPU usage shows very low in task manager though).
Once again, this is most definitely a Steam issue- I found multiple threads of other people having the exact same issues caused by the Steam client, and my computer has zero issues whatsoever doing any manner of things, unless I go to launch Steam. This is not a Windows issue. If you need, I can attempt to take a video with my phone or something to demonstrate, but I can't take a screen recording of the issue since whatever screen recording software I use would stop working upon attempting to launch Steam."

"Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

I understand how you may feel regarding this issue.

Since you mentioned that "Steam hangs the computer and you cannot start or end any processes/executable and you have to hard reset the PC", probably you're having larger issues that need to be resolved before we try and troubleshoot any game or Steam issues you're seeing.

I'm sorry we can't be of more help with the issue you're experiencing.

In the meantime, I recommend visiting the following community hubs. It's possible other users have experienced similar issues and can offer helpful advice.

Official Steam Help
Steam Subreddit

Because we have provided all the information we have for your issue I'm closing this help request. If you have an unrelated issue please open a new help request and we will be happy to help.

Steam Support
Elijah"

Support could have at least read my messages. I don't understand how a program with no admin permissions could somehow hang the Windows kernel, but it does. Once again, the computer is new (only a couple months old), pretty high-end, and works perfectly to run anything from simple word processors to modern games in 4K. This issue only appears when launching the Steam client. Has anyone else run into this issue and successfully solved it? Thanks

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Showing 1-15 of 18 comments

nullable 2 Dec @ 12:29pm

Are you sure the igpu is still disabled?

Satoru 2 Dec @ 2:30pm

Steam is an application, meaning that it has only access to the the application layer of your OS

In modern windows it is functionally impossible for an app to hang the entire system. If it does, the app itself is not causing it, its because the app is interacting with a lower level part of your OS that is broken

This means that Steam isnt the problem, its simply manifesting an issue that exists in your system. Note given that disabling the iGPU 'fixes' the issue then its mroe than likely that your motherboard is the problem and that its basically slowly dying.

1) Run a full windows update
2) update your video drivers
3) reinstall windows

If reinstalling windows doesnt fix it, then its more or less a hardware problem on your system. I'd wager either the CPu or the motherboard is fried or dying very slowly

RPG Gamer Man 2 Dec @ 7:19pm

We are lacking info. Which version of windows operating system are you using? How much RAM do you have? Are you on a 32 bit or 64 bit pc? What intel generation chip are you using?

Most of the time people lacking this information are only hurting themselves in the end due to people on here not being able to help. You give more info, more people can help you. Lack of info hurts you.

Also, i see a trend of people posting having problem but omitting there using windows 7. This is most of the time why they do not say which OS they are using, and they know it.

Last edited by RPG Gamer Man; 2 Dec @ 7:19pm

Dranak 2 Dec @ 7:24pm

Enalbe IGPU , update BIOS and chipset driver from Brand board support page or is ita a Brand name pc then its that support page you need to DL from.

Then you have update igpur drivers then use windows device turn off igpu or bios

ps.
You also dont mention steam settings turn off web acccealration in browser view.

And you still forget no hands on here "steam told you as recommend contacting a local PC technician for in-depth PC troubleshooting."

No matter how many suggestion we can do and maybe some helper nail it, but we still have no hands on or even windows event viewer log why steam.exe crash. ( sometimes it can give a clue whats wrong. )

And we are not talking about all the other option in BIOS, in the past we did see ram turbo mode later not work well at BIOS, cause unstability, as i said thats years ago, point is more what if you run things in OC mode for let BIOS do alot of extream OC, we are many that try belive them it can do that, but atm you need stability and make sure its not such new ways that might cause this.

i could also just say you give a crap in OC if you cant even start steam. ( stablity first is you way only at, until you can proof it work. ) im not after OC pc im telling you make sure it work first before try gain speed.

new PC today can make it sounds so legit with it, but as you see toy have other issue atm.

Last edited by Dranak; 2 Dec @ 7:27pm

Dranak 2 Dec @ 7:26pm

I agree with RPG man here, win7/8 is dead a long time ago only recent steam offcial say no more.

I can only say then you cant start steam from a freshly installed OS thats so many do

and this dont look like antivirus app blocking steam.exe or other security app issue.

Last edited by Dranak; 2 Dec @ 7:30pm

RPG Gamer Man 2 Dec @ 7:29pm

Originally posted by Dranak:
I agree with RPG man here, win7/8 is dead a long time ago only recent steam offcial say no more.

Actually even windows 10 ended support, but it should theorhetically work on steam probably till 2027, most likely.

Dranak 2 Dec @ 7:30pm

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:
Originally posted by Dranak:
I agree with RPG man here, win7/8 is dead a long time ago only recent steam offcial say no more.

Actually even windows 10 ended support, but it should theorhetically work on steam probably till 2027, most likely.

As long steam say win10+ ready its made for that range.

Topher_Armour 4 Dec @ 5:42pm

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:
We are lacking info. Which version of windows operating system are you using? How much RAM do you have? Are you on a 32 bit or 64 bit pc? What intel generation chip are you using?

Most of the time people lacking this information are only hurting themselves in the end due to people on here not being able to help. You give more info, more people can help you. Lack of info hurts you.

Also, i see a trend of people posting having problem but omitting there using windows 7. This is most of the time why they do not say which OS they are using, and they know it.

Sorry for the lack of info. I did have hardware issues with this PC originally- a brand new PSU was defective and took everything with it. Thankfully everything was warrantied except my SSDs.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
64 GB DDR5-5600 (2x32 GB)
MSI-branded RTX4090
Asus X870E AEORUS master WIFI
Corsair 1000W supply
4x 1TB NVME SSDs, Samsung, RAID0 config
Windows 11 Pro 64, most recent non-preview build

I suspect it could be an interaction with graphics or network drivers as the issue is not as severe in safe mode, and that would explain the iGPU fix that worked for me for a while and for some other users permanently. In safe mode w/networking, Windows does not hang or behave weirdly when running Steam, but Steam stops working after the "updating Steam" page and I have to kill the process via task manager. Only my ethernet works in safe mode, but I have tried both ethernet and wifi with no luck. I could swap my GPU out for some old crappy one but I would rather not pull out my huge RTX if there's an easier troubleshooting step.

Ironically I have a second PC in the living room built out of trash-picked parts on Windows 7 that runs Steam and the few games I have on it fine (at 720p medium)

Last edited by Topher_Armour; 4 Dec @ 5:53pm

Topher_Armour 4 Dec @ 5:43pm

Originally posted by Satoru:
Steam is an application, meaning that it has only access to the the application layer of your OS

In modern windows it is functionally impossible for an app to hang the entire system. If it does, the app itself is not causing it, its because the app is interacting with a lower level part of your OS that is broken

This means that Steam isnt the problem, its simply manifesting an issue that exists in your system. Note given that disabling the iGPU 'fixes' the issue then its mroe than likely that your motherboard is the problem and that its basically slowly dying.

1) Run a full windows update
2) update your video drivers
3) reinstall windows

If reinstalling windows doesnt fix it, then its more or less a hardware problem on your system. I'd wager either the CPu or the motherboard is fried or dying very slowly

I would agree 100% except it does freak out the kernel somehow. I get "access is denied" trying to end any processes. I'll have to take a video. It is incredibly odd. Especially that it has happened to other people before, which makes me glad that it's not just a one-off

Topher_Armour 4 Dec @ 5:44pm

Originally posted by nullable:
Are you sure the igpu is still disabled?

Yes, I double-checked. Even reset the BIOS (had to reconfigure RAID) and then disabled iGPU to no avail

#10

Topher_Armour 4 Dec @ 5:46pm

Originally posted by Dranak:
Enalbe IGPU , update BIOS and chipset driver from Brand board support page or is ita a Brand name pc then its that support page you need to DL from.

Then you have update igpur drivers then use windows device turn off igpu or bios

ps.
You also dont mention steam settings turn off web acccealration in browser view.

And you still forget no hands on here "steam told you as recommend contacting a local PC technician for in-depth PC troubleshooting."

No matter how many suggestion we can do and maybe some helper nail it, but we still have no hands on or even windows event viewer log why steam.exe crash. ( sometimes it can give a clue whats wrong. )

And we are not talking about all the other option in BIOS, in the past we did see ram turbo mode later not work well at BIOS, cause unstability, as i said thats years ago, point is more what if you run things in OC mode for let BIOS do alot of extream OC, we are many that try belive them it can do that, but atm you need stability and make sure its not such new ways that might cause this.

i could also just say you give a crap in OC if you cant even start steam. ( stablity first is you way only at, until you can proof it work. ) im not after OC pc im telling you make sure it work first before try gain speed.

new PC today can make it sounds so legit with it, but as you see toy have other issue atm.

All my drivers are the newest from the manufacturer websites, and I have the terrible NVIDIA app for those drivers as well, meaning hopefully it is not a GPU driver bug. I can't change any Steam web acceleration settings because I can't get into Steam, unless there's a config file I can mess with somewhere.
There's nothing at all listed in Event Viewer, I think that's in my OP somewhere.

RAM is taken back down to 4800 MHz default, all overclocking of any kind is disabled. I've tried with and without overclocking. With overclocking, Steam, and all my Steam games ran amazingly up until it started throwing a fit a few days ago (and then when uninstlling it I accidentally uninstalled all my games). Shouldn't matter anyway since I disabled all overclocking in an effort to get it to work.

Last edited by Topher_Armour; 4 Dec @ 5:57pm

#11

Dranak 4 Dec @ 7:53pm

Just so you get it and why stability might matter, we tried to help you with it, most here will say if you cant get steam to work on a freshly installed OS, you are in trouble at that PC, also why we reply as we do. ( with OC and other issue with BIOS and chipset driver. or GPU card issue.

You might want other friend of yours to go though it all, with reinstall all and check all, i will do that if i was you, try stay back and see if you can let other try to fix a deal with it, sometimes fresh eyes on the case can go very fare, even IT company do this send new guy out at task, to see if they might notice other things.

hope idea can help you.

Last edited by Dranak; 4 Dec @ 7:59pm

#12

Dranak 4 Dec @ 8:08pm

You can try steam flush cmd ( google how to do ) other then that what cause this i do not know.
steam hang aka softlock as you call it. requre steam not accept it files or OS cause issue with it.

Some other user have mention wipe steam windows user profile windows data before, again raise issue with what. ?

have spare drive ake new install of steam there as test another idea as test.

Last edited by Dranak; 4 Dec @ 8:08pm

#13

Topher_Armour 10 Dec @ 10:39am

Yes. I have tried SteamCMD, which works fine. I might just give up on using the proper Steam client and use a bunch of SteamCMD scripts I'll have to make to do everything Steam-wise.

Steam did work on the freshly installed OS for a couple weeks, then iGPU disable fixed it, another couple weeks went by, and now this.

What's this? "Some other user have mention wipe steam windows user profile windows data before, again raise issue with what. ?"

I've had a couple friends look at it, one of whom works in IT. They were also stumped :(

It's seeming like for now I will just have to use SteamCMD and some other hacky way to be able to use Steam workshop or multiplayer or update my Steam apps. Very frustrating. To see if it was a hardware issue I ran a few different stress tests overnight a few different nights and no issues, man it got my room warm though.

I did have 2 GPUs in this computer at one point. I am wondering if that is related, as the issues started soon after removing my secondary GPU (a 10 year old mid tier AMD Radeon)

Last edited by Topher_Armour; 10 Dec @ 10:40am

#14

Satoru 10 Dec @ 10:52am

Originally posted by Topher_Armour:
I did have 2 GPUs in this computer at one point. I am wondering if that is related, as the issues started soon after removing my secondary GPU (a 10 year old mid tier AMD Radeon)

Sounds more like you have an OS level issue, steam is only soft locking the system as its trying to use GPU accelleration to render the web views and is calling a driver on your system that is causing an issue. Aka steam is not causing the problem, it is simply manifesting an issue on your OS. Similar to the old engineering tale of "Vanilla ice cream causes my car to stall"

Use DDU Uninstaller to wipe ALL your video drivers on your system

Then reinstall the latest drivers for your installed GPU instead.

ALso ensure you reboot your system after each step so the deleting of drivers is complete. And the new install of the gpu drivers is clean.

Last edited by Satoru; 10 Dec @ 10:53am

#15

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Date Posted: 2 Dec @ 12:01pm

Posts: 18

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