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Imagine that you’ve just launched Steam and you’re faced with Steam Error Code 102. How frustrating, right?
While this error doesn’t completely lock you out, it keeps you from accessing your Steam profile and the community hub. Although you can still game, it feels like you’ve been banned from the cool kids’ table.
Other errors you should be aware of and you (most likely) experienced are:
– Steam error 53
– Steam login error E87
So make sure to check out those fix guide above if that’s useful for you.
So now — how do you fix Steam error code 102? Don’t worry. We’ve got your back! Let’s dive into multiple solutions to fix this pesky issue.
Ready? Let’s go!
TL;DR: How to Fix Steam Error Code 102 Quickly
- Restart your router.
- Clear the DNS cache.
- Clear Steam’s download cache.
- Use a VPN.
Read on to discover detailed steps on how to apply each of these fixes (and then some).
4 Beginner-Friendly Fixes: Quick Ways to Resolve Steam Error 102
As always, let’s begin with some quick and easy-to-implement ways to solve your Steam issue.
1. Restart Your Router
Sometimes, many computer issues can be resolved by something as simple as a restart. A quick router restart can fix the connection issues causing Error 102.
- Disconnect your router from the power outlet.
- Wait for about 10 seconds.
- Plug it back in and let it reboot.
- Now, reconnect to the internet and check “Steam”. If it’s back online, you’re all set. If it’s not, continue applying the following fixes until one of them works for you.
2. Flush the DNS Cache
The DNS cache acts like your internet’s memory bank, storing information on every website and service you visit. If it’s stuffed with old or corrupted data, it can cause network issues, leading to errors like 102.
Flushing it may do the trick:
- On your keyboard, press ‘Windows + R’.
- Now type “cmd” and press ‘Enter’.
- In the “Command Prompt”, type:
ipconfig /flushdns - Press ‘Enter’ and watch as your DNS cache clears.
- Once done, you will hopefully be able to go back online.
3. Clear Steam’s Download Cache
Sometimes, Steam holds onto too much data in its cache, which can clog things up. Clearing the cache may help resolve error 102.
- Launch “Steam” and navigate to “Settings”.
- Click on the “Downloads” tab.
- Hit the “Clear Download Cache” button.
Steam will restart, and with any luck, Error 102 will be resolved.
4. Use a Quality VPN (We Recommend ExpressVPN)
Sometimes, your ISP or network settings can restrict access to certain Steam services. A VPN can show a different location than your current one, most likely with better network access. However, free VPNs are often detected, so you’ll want to use a reliable one.
We recommend trying out Express, which is risk-free.
- Press ‘Windows + I’ to open “Settings”.
- Go to “Network & Internet”, then select “VPN”.
- Click “Add VPN” and follow the setup prompts.
- Try logging into “Steam” again. If this fixes the issue, great! If not, keep reading for more advanced solutions.
4 Advanced Fixes for Steam Error 102
In the case when those 4 easy solutions didn’t do the trick — try the more advanced ones below.
5. Reset Steam’s Host File
The host file on your PC is a map of IP addresses and hostnames. If it’s misconfigured or has corrupted Steam entries, it can cause connection problems. Resetting it might just fix everything.
- Press the ‘Windows key’ and type “Notepad”.
- Right-click on “Notepad” and select “Run as Administrator”.
- Now open this file: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts
- Look for any Steam-related entries. If you find any, copy and paste them into a new Notepad document and save it somewhere safe.
- Delete the original Steam-related entries and save the file.
- Restart your PC and relaunch “Steam” to check if you’re back online.
6. Change Your DNS Server
Your internet service provider’s (ISP) DNS can also be slow sometimes, resulting in connection issues with Steam. You can try switching to a public DNS server to fix this.
How to do it:
- On your keyboard, press ‘Windows + R’, type “ncpa.cpl”, and hit ‘Enter’.
- Right-click on your active internet connection and select “Properties”.
- Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, then hit “Properties”.
- Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
Enter:- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
- Press “OK”, and restart your PC.
- Launch “Steam” and test it. This should clear up any DNS-related issues blocking your access.
7. Use a Proxy Server
You can also try using a proxy. This can help bypass network restrictions set by your ISP or local network that may be causing Error 102.
- Press the ‘Windows key’ and open “Settings”.
- Navigate to “Network & Internet”, and click on “Proxy”.
- Toggle on “Use a proxy server”, enter the relevant IP address and Port (you may need to find one online), and save the settings.
- Give “Steam” another whirl and see if the error disappears!
8. Check for Corrupted Steam Files
Corrupted files within Steam can also mess with your connection to the server. You can verify the integrity of the Steam installation files to root out and fix these issues.
Here’s how:
- Open “Steam” and select “Library”.
- Right-click on any game and select “Properties”.
- Go to the “Local Files” tab and select “Verify Integrity of Game Files”.
- This can take a short while. Once done, relaunch “Steam” to see if Error 102 has been resolved.
By now, you should have successfully resolved Steam error code 102. Whether you start with the easy router restart or dive into more advanced settings like DNS changes, there’s always a way to fix it.
Useful: if you want to hide your Steam activity — check here.
If you get any errors during the process — let us know in the comments below!
Good luck!
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