How to Fix Steam Not Opening on Mac [Ventura/Sonoma/Monterey]

It's frustrating when you're all set to start gaming, only to find that your Steam won't open on Mac. You might have tried updating your macOS to no avail.

Before you get into a heated debate with someone, read this article to learn four simple ways to fix Steam not opening on your Mac.

Solution 1: Fix Steam Not Opening on Mac by Clearing the Steam Cache Files Click 1 to start resolving the issue of Steam not opening on your Mac by clearing the Steam cache files.

If some cache files still exist due to a failed Steam connection, you might not be able to open it on your Mac. You can resolve the issue of Steam not loading on your Mac by deleting those files:

Step 1: Go to your hard drive > “Library” > “Application Support” and delete the Steam folder.

Step 2: Press Shift+⌘+G, or choose Go to Folder.

Type in ~/Library/Caches, then ~/Library/Preferences, and finally ~/Library/Logs. Go into each of these folders and delete anything related to Steam.

Now, try launching Steam again to see if it works.

You can refer to this article to find the Steam files on a Mac:

Where Are Steam Games Stored on SteamOS/Windows/macOS

In this article, you will learn where Steam games are stored on Windows, macOS, and SteamOS.

Solution 2: Adjust Steam's accessibility to fix the issue of Steam not opening If Steam fails to launch, it might be due to certain security settings or permission issues within your operating system. You can try adjusting Steam's accessibility settings by following these steps: 1. Locate the Steam shortcut. It is usually found on your desktop or in the Start menu. 2. Right-click the Steam shortcut and select "Properties" (属性). 3. In the "Steam Properties" window that appears, navigate to the "Compatibility" (兼容性) tab. 4. Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator" (以管理员身份运行此程序). 5. Click "Apply" (应用), then "OK" (确定) to save the changes. 6. Attempt to start Steam again and see if the issue has been resolved. If this method doesn't work, you can also try temporarily disabling any antivirus software or Windows Defender to see if they are blocking Steam from running. Don't forget to re-enable them afterward to maintain system security.

Like other apps on the Mac, Steam needs Accessibility access to run properly and smoothly. If you didn't allow it Accessibility when installing Steam, it will bounce and prevent you from opening it. If you closed the window and ignored this prompt, you may not be able to open the Steam app at all, resulting in an error. This is also a good solution if Steam unexpectedly quits on your Mac.

Here is how to address this problem:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and select “System Preferences” > “Security & Privacy.”

Step 2: Click on the “Privacy” tab and then select “Accessibility.” Click the lock icon in the bottom left to make changes.

Step 3: Click the “+” icon, then find Steam in your “Applications” folder. Click “Open,” then quit and relaunch Steam.

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Solution 3: Uninstall and Reinstall Steam to Fix the Issue of Steam Not Opening on Mac

If the download process is the issue, it's also wise to reinstall Steam. Just delete all the files associated with it, then reinstall Steam on your Mac like this:

Step 1: Exit Steam. Click on “Finder” then “Applications.”

Step 2: Drag Steam to the Trash. Then, from the top menu, go to Go > Go to Folder.

Step 3: Copy and paste this path, then press Return: ~/Library/Application Support/Steam.

4. Delete everything in the folder except for the `steamapps` folder. Empty your Recycle Bin, then download and reinstall Steam.

Solution 4: Update Steam to Fix the Issue of Steam Not Opening on Mac To fix the problem of the Steam application not opening on your Mac, you can try updating the Steam client. Follow these steps: 1. Open the Steam application. 2. Click on the "Steam" option in the menu bar. 3. In the dropdown menu, choose "Check for Steam Updates" or "Update Steam" (the exact wording may vary depending on the version). 4. Follow the instructions in the update wizard to complete the Steam update process. 5. After the update is finished, restart Steam. 6. Try opening Stam again to see if it runs normally. If the issue persists after updating Steam, please try other solutions or contact Steam support for further assistance.

The simplest and often overlooked solution is to update to the latest version of Steam, in case an unknown bug is causing the issue.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Click on “Finder” > “Applications,” then right-click on Steam and select “Show Package Contents.”

Step 2. Click on "Contents" > "macOS". Then, double-click the file named steam_osx.

Step 3: Wait for the terminal to open and automatically update Steam.

Additional Tip: How to Repair Corrupted Game Files Online

Once that's fixed, Steam should open properly on your Mac and you'll be able to run your game. However, if your save files are corrupted, you may also experience issues with games not opening on Mac. In that case, you can use an online document repair tool to fix the problem.

Repair OnlineFor All Document Types

This tool can also fix video game files online, addressing common corruption issues for free. It can also repair corrupted invalid ZIP files, game save files, and many more corrupted files, regardless of the cause or extent of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this post, we explore four solutions to fix the issue of Steam not opening on Mac. For more detailed information, refer to the FAQ here:

How do I fix the issue of Steam not opening?

Please follow these steps:

• Exit Steam through the Task Manager.
• Clean and clear the Steam app cache.
• Reinstall Steam, then restart it.

2. How to Get Steam Working on a Mac?

Just go to store.steampowered.com, and click “Install Steam” at the top of the page.

3. Does Steam not support Mac?

Of course, Steam supports Windows and Linux – as well as Mac.

Closure

Why won't Steam open on Mac? It might be due to server overload from too many requests. Damaged files, incorrect date and time settings, or common network issues can also result in the Steam not opening error on Mac. You can resolve the issue of Steam not running on your Mac by clearing the cache, adjusting accessibility, or reinstalling or updating Steam. If your game files are corrupted, you can use online file repair tools, such as Online Video Repair from the Best File Repair Software, for assistance.

Repair OnlineSupports all document types