If you are experiencing error code e20 on Steam, this post will interest you. Here, we will talk about this error code, its causes, and fixes. So, let us check out!
What is the error code E20?
The error code e20 on Steam is generally caused while signing into the app, as reported by the affected users. It is basically a connection error that prevents you from connecting to Steam servers and using its services. When triggered, you will get the following error message:
CONNECTION PROBLEM
There was a problem communicating with Steam Please try again later.You can try running Steam in Offline Mode.
Some users have also reported getting the following error message with error code e20 on Steam:
Something went wrong while attempting to sign you in. Please try again later.
Now, there can be different reasons behind this error code. The two primary reasons for this error include server issues and network connection problems. It could also be caused due to firewall or antivirus interference. Apart from that, DNS inconsistency and an old and corrupted Steam cache can also cause this error. In any case, we got you covered with working fixes that will help you get rid of this error.
Fix Steam Error Code e20 on Windows PC
Here are the solutions that you can use to fix the error code e20 on Steam on your Windows PC:
- Check the current status of Steam servers.
- Run Steam with administrator rights.
- Ensure that your internet is working properly.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall.
- Delete the Steam cache.
- Reset your IP address using these commands.
- Use Google DNS.
- Try a VPN/disable your VPN.
1] Check the current status of Steam servers
It could be a server issue that is causing a connection problem and throwing error code e20 on Steam. Hence, make sure the Steam servers are up and running because in that case, trying any of the below fixes won’t help. So, check the server status of Steam using an online tool, and if the servers are down, wait for some time and then try using Steam.
In case there is no ongoing server issue, use the next solution to fix the error.
2] Run Steam with administrator rights
You can also try running the Steam app as an administrator. This error could be facilitated due to a lack of necessary permissions to run the app. Hence, if the scenario is applicable, right-click on Steam’s desktop shortcut and choose the Run as administrator option. See if the error is fixed now. If so, you can make Steam run with admin rights always.
3] Ensure that your internet is working properly
Since it is a connection error, one of the common causes of this error is a weak or unstable internet connection. If your internet is not working fine or keeps dropping, you are likely to experience the error code e20 on Steam. So, in that case, you need to make sure that you are well connected to the internet.
You can try switching to a different network connection, updating your network drivers, or restarting/power cycling your router to fix network issues. Besides that, if you have a choice, you can also use a wired connection because it is more reliable than a wireless one.
If your internet is working properly yet you receive this error code, move on to the next fix.
See: The operation was canceled by the user (0x4C7) Steam error.
4] Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall
It might be your overprotective antivirus or firewall that is preventing you from connecting to Steam servers and triggering error code e20. To check if that is the case indeed, you can temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall and then try logging into or using Steam.
If the error is fixed, you can be sure your security suite was causing this error. So, you can allow the Steam app through your firewall or antivirus to fix the error.
5] Delete the Steam cache
A corrupted cache associated with the Steam app can also cause error code e20. Hence, if the scenario is applicable, delete the Steam cache from your computer and then check if the error is fixed. Here are the steps to do that:
- Firstly, open Task Manager using Ctrl+Shift+Esc and then end all Steam tasks from the Processes tab.
- Next, press Win+E to open File Explorer and navigate to the following address:
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Steam
In the above address, replace <Username> with the username you are logged on to on your computer.
- After that, select all the temporary cache files using Ctrl+A and delete them.
- Once done, reopen Steam and check if error code e20 is fixed now.
Read: Fix Steam Error Codes 53 and 101 on Windows PC.
6] Reset your IP address using these commands
If the error remains the same, you can try refreshing your IP address. It might be the case that the error is triggered because your IP address has a bad reputation or due to some other network issue. So, in that case, you can reset your IP address to fix the error. Here’s how:
Firstly, launch Command Prompt as an administrator; open the Windows Search box, type CMD in the search box, hover the mouse over the Command Prompt app, and click on the Run as administrator option.
After that, type and enter the below commands in one by one manner:
netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset netsh winhttp reset proxy ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew
Once done, restart your computer and check if the error code e20 on Steam is fixed or not.
Read: Steam running slow or lagging on Windows PC.
7] Use Google DNS
If none of the above solutions worked for you, try switching to a reliable DNS server and see if the error is fixed. You can set up Google DNS on your computer and check if it helps. Here are the steps using which you can switch to a public DNS like Google DNS on Windows PC:
- Firstly, from your taskbar, right-click on the WiFi icon and choose the Network and Internet settings option.
- Now, press the Advanced network settings > More network adapter options to bring up the Network Connections window.
- After that, right-click on your network connection and click on the Properties option from the appeared context menu.
- Next, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and hit the Properties option.
- Then, enable the Use the following DNS server addresses option and then enter 8.8.8.8 for the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server.
- Lastly, press the OK button to save changes.
See: How to fix Steam Error E502 L3?
8] Try a VPN/disable your VPN
You can also use a VPN aka Virtual Private Network and check if it helps in eliminating error code e20 on Steam. There are several free VPN software like ProtonVPN, Hotspot Shield, Betternet, NordVPN, and more that you can use.
On the other hand, if you are using a VPN and this error occurs, you can try disabling VPN and check if it helps.
How do I fix Steam code error?
The fixes to a Steam error code depend upon the error code you are facing and the causes of the error code. If you are experiencing the E8 error code on Steam, check your network connection, try running Steam with admin rights, verify and repair the game files, allow Steam through your firewall, or disable your VPN. Besides that, you can change your Steam password or clear Steam download and web browser cache.
