Fix Steam Error Code E8 on Windows PC

Here is a full guide on how to fix Steam Error Code E8 on a Windows PC. Although Steam is known for hassle-free experiences, it is not completely error-free. One such instance is where some users have reported encountering the error code E8 when logging in to the launcher and when launching a game. This is generally due to bad network connection, antivirus or firewall blockage, etc. In this article, we will discuss the reasons and their solutions in detail to resolve this error.

Fix Steam Error Code E8 on Windows PC

If the Steam Error Code E8 keeps appearing on the Windows PC, execute the solutions mentioned below:

1. Check the Internet connection
2. Change Steam Password
3. Change the Target field in Steam’s shortcut
4. Run Steam as an administrator
5. Verify the integrity of game files
6. Allow Stream through the firewall
7. Delete Steam Download and web browser cache
8. Disable VPN and proxy connection
9. Reinstall Steam

Let’s get this started.

1] Check the Internet connection

The steam client can also fail to connect to the servers when it is experiencing a bad Internet connection and will show the error code E8. Hence, it is advisable to check the Internet bandwidth using any free testers, and then take necessary measures such as restarting the PC and router.  However, if restarting the PC and router was off to no avail, run the network adapter troubleshooter, and here’s how:

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
• Scroll down and click on Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters.
• Click on Run beside Network Adapter and follow the instructions on-screen.

Now, launch Steam and see if the E8 error code is still stopping the app or not.

2] Change Steam Password

Changing your Steam Password might not seem like an apt solution, but what changing the credentials does is that it tweaks your login settings and resolve the issue. Let us do the same in our case as well. Follow the steps mentioned below to do the same.

1. Go to Steam.
2. When on the login screen, click on Can’t sign in.
3. Click on I forgot my Steam account name or password.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to change the Steam password.

After changing the password, log in to your account and hopefully, your issue will be resolved.

3] Change the Target field in Steam’s shortcut

Next up, we are going to change the Target field in Steam’s shortcut to make to resolve the login issue. To do the same, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Right-click on Steam Client.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab and then append -login -noreactlogin to the address in the Target field (check the screenshot to know more).
4. Click on Apply > Ok.

After changing the Target field, launch Steam and log in.

4] Run Steam as an administrator

Running Steam as an administrator must be considered as one of the solutions to do in case of the E8 error code. Righ-click on its icon and select Run as administrator and see if it helps in any way.

5]  Verify the integrity of game files

A lot of users complained about seeing the error in specific games, and this is usually due to the fault of the game files. We are going to replace them with new ones via the Steam verify integrity feature, and follow the steps prescribed below to do the same:

1. First, open the Steam app and go to LIBRARY.
2. From the list of your installed games, right-click on a problematic game and select the Properties option from the context menu.
3. Now, go to the Local Files tab and press the Verify integrity of game files button to start verifying and repairing the bad game files.

If the error code E8 continues to persist, move on to the next solution.

6] Allow Steam through the Firewall

One of the known trends among gaming communities is to always disable the firewall or antivirus software temporarily in case of such error codes. This is because antiviruses and firewalls are known to cause issues in the launching or working of various games and Steam.

However, keeping in mind that this is a risky step, we recommend adding the game through the firewall if the error code is appearing in certain games, and here’s how to do so:

1. Open the Windows Security app and click on the Firewall & network protection option.
2. Now, tap on the Allow an app through the firewall option.
3. Press the Change settings button, go to the Allowed apps and features list, and find the games.
4. If the games are not listed, click on Allow another app > Browse and then manually add the game’s main executable. They are generally stored at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.
5. Next, tick the checkboxes associated with the games and enable both the Public and Private networks checkboxes.

7] Delete Steam Download and web browser cache

It is quite possible that Steam’s download as well as the web browser cache can get corrupted, so delete the download and web browser cache and check if this fixes the problem.

Following are the steps to delete the Steam Download cache:

1. Launch the Steam client.
2. Open Settings and select Downloads from the left side.
3. Click on the CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE button.
4. Click OK in the confirmation box.
5. Restart Steam and log in to Steam again.

For WEB Browser cache:

1. Open Steam.
2. Go to Steam > Settings.
3. Click on the Web Browser tab and then on DELETE WEB BROWSER DATA.

If there’s an option to delete cookies, click on that as well. Finally, restart the Steam client app and try accessing the content. Hopefully, this error code won’t trouble you anymore.

8] Disable VPN and proxy connection

Server errors can occur if connected to a VPN/Proxy server as they hide the IP address by rerouting the Internet traffic via a remote server entailing the error. So, if you are connected to any VPN, disable it, in case, you are connected to a Proxy, here is how we can disable it:

1. Press the Win + I to launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Proxy.
3. Here, toggle off the Automatically detect settings option.
4. Click on the Set up option present next to Use a proxy server and toggle off the Use a proxy server option.

Once the process is completed, see if Steam is back to its previous state or not.

9] Reinstall Steam

If none of the above-mentioned solutions help, consider reinstalling the Steam client. There are instances where there is some corruption with the installation; therefore, completely uninstall Steam and then install a clean copy. However, before doing the same, don’t forget to create a backup of the games folder and other important data.

To uninstall Steam from your PC:

1. Click Win+I to open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps or Apps & Features.
2. Now, select Steam and click on the three-dot menu button.
3. After that, click on the Uninstall option and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

After the process is completed, go to store.steampowered.com and download the latest version of Steam and then install the application by running the installer.

Read: Can’t sign into Steam with correct password

What is Failure code 8 Steam?

One of the reasons behind the general appearance of Steam error code 8 is when the files associated with the launcher are corrupted or missing or there is interference from firewall and antivirus software. However, it’s a fixable task that only needs us to replace the files and disable the interfering tasks.

Read: How to install multiple instances of a Game in Steam

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe”/repair