Expert Guide to Fix Error Code E20 Steam

Steam error code E20 indicates a problem communicating with Steam, often due to unstable internet or firewall issues. To fix it, restart your network router, disable your firewall for Steam, restart your computer and the Steam application, or re-install Steam.

Changing your DNS server settings to Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) can also resolve the issue.

🔍 What Does Error E20 Mean / Common Causes

Before fixing, it helps to know why it happens:

• Network connectivity issues: your PC can’t reach Steam’s servers.

• Steam server-side outage / maintenance.

• Firewall / antivirus or security software blocking Steam.

• Corrupted Steam cache or local configuration files (htmlcache, appcache).

• VPN / proxy / network routing conflicts.

• ISP or router-level blocking or weird NAT / firewall rules. (Several users reported working only using alternate networks / tethering)

• Steam client or system issues (outdated client, corrupt installation).

Many users describe that their account suddenly gets error E20, while alternative accounts or other devices work fine.

Also Read : Fix Websocket Error Steam

🛠 Step‑by‑Step Fixes

Follow these in order (from least invasive to more drastic). After each step, try logging into Steam again to see if E20 is resolved.

1. Basic Network & Connection Checks

• Restart your router / modem
  Turn off for ~30 sec, then turn back on. (Clears many transient networking issues)

• Try a different network or tether (hotspot)
  Users reported that Steam works via mobile hotspot even when home ISP fails.

• Test internet / ping / packet loss
  Open Command Prompt and run e.g. ping google.com -n 20 or ping store.steampowered.com to see if packets are lost or latency is erratic.

• Flush DNS / Reset network stack
  Open Command Prompt as administrator, run these commands one after the other:

  ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ipv4 reset
netsh int ipv6 reset


  Then restart PC. Many guides recommend this to clear stale network configuration.

2. Check Steam’s Status / Outage

• Visit Steam status pages (e.g. SteamStat.us, Downdetector, etc.) to see if Steam’s servers are down.

• Sometimes the problem is on Valve’s side; in that case, you’ll have to wait.

3. Disable / Bypass Firewall, Antivirus, VPN / Proxy

• Temporarily disable Windows Firewall or your 3rd‑party antivirus and see if Steam logs in. If that works, you know they are interfering.

• Better approach: add Steam as an exception / allowed app in firewall/antivirus (both inbound and outbound, private & public).

• If using a VPN or proxy, disable it temporarily because Steam may block certain VPN IPs, or route incorrectly.

• In some cases, enabling “split tunneling” to exclude Steam from VPN helps.

4. Clear Steam Cache / Local Configuration

• Completely exit Steam (make sure no Steam.exe or related processes are running).

• Run steam://flushconfig (via Run dialog) to clear Steam’s internal cache.

• Delete or clear the htmlcache folder: %localappdata%\Steam\htmlcache (delete its contents).

• Delete or rename appcache / httpcache in Steam folder.

• Sometimes, delete the package folder under Steam folder.

5. Run Steam as Administrator / Compatibility Mode

• Right‑click Steam’s shortcut or exe → Properties → Compatibility → check Run this program as an administrator.

• Also try setting compatibility mode to Windows 7 / 8 (if your OS allows) and test.

6. Clear Download Cache & Change Download Region

• Inside Steam (if you can access settings), go to Steam → Settings → Downloads

  • Clear Download Cache (this resets cached download info)

  • Change Download Region to a nearby but different server (in case your nearest server is having issues)

7. Update / Reinstall Steam Client

• In Steam, click Steam → Check for Steam Client Updates. If update is available, install it.

• If that fails or you already have the latest, reinstall Steam:

  • Uninstall Steam (take note: this may remove local game data; back up any game folders you don’t want to re-download).

  • Download latest Steam installer from the official site and install again.

  • Let Steam re-sync your library.
    Many users have had to do this as a last resort.

8. Try Offline → Then Go Online Trick

Some users report a workaround:

1. On the E20 screen, choose “Go Offline” in Steam.

2. Once Steam opens in offline mode, at the bottom often there is an “Online” button. Click that to re-establish connection.

3. Steam may then properly log in.

This trick “jumps” Steam out of the stuck login state in some cases.

9. Contact Steam Support / Wait It Out

If none of the above works:

• It might be account-specific, i.e. your Steam account is flagged or limited temporarily. Several users report only their account getting E20 while others work.

• Submit a support request via Steam’s website, include the error code (E20), device/OS, what you’ve tried, and timing.

• Keep an eye on the Steam Community / forums—if it’s a wider issue, others may report the same so you know it’s not your system.

• Sometimes the error resolves on its own after Valve corrects server or configuration issues.

⚠️ Tips, Caveats & Best Practices

• Always backup important Steam game files (if large) before uninstalling or deleting major folders.

• Don’t leave firewall/antivirus disabled long-term — once Steam works, re-enable them and add exceptions properly.

• Avoid using weird VPNs or proxies for Steam, unless you know they are reliable and supported.

• Keep your OS, network drivers (NIC drivers), and Steam client always up to date.

• Monitor Steam’s server status—if the error is entirely on their side, local fixes won’t help.