Well, if it is a VPN issue, no one here can help you, as it's against the SSA to use a VPN to mask your geographical region.

It'll probably help if you can mention any error messages you are getting.

I have the same issue. It is not the network. The Steam Client and in particular the User Interface is not working after the 19 December update. Mobile app works. Web access to the profile works. But the actual desktop application do not, so no games access.

Please bump this thread, having the same issue on first PC boot on multiple PCs in the house. Steam client is failing to load something resulting in a black window that almost crashes the entire OS.

Originally posted by bmwdealer:

Please bump this thread, having the same issue on first PC boot on multiple PCs in the house. Steam client is failing to load something resulting in a black window that almost crashes the entire OS.

"Bumping" the thread won't help if none of you can supply specific error messages. Also note Valve do NOT read this forum. If you want Support to help you, you'll have to submit a support ticket.

Does no one read other threads anymore ?

Unplug any controllers / gamepads --> kill steam processes (if any are running) --> reboot steam.

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:

Well, if it is a VPN issue, no one here can help you, as it's against the SSA to use a VPN to mask your geographical region.

It'll probably help if you can mention any error messages you are getting.

I don't even get to an error message. I get the little window that says "Checking for updates" and then after about 5 seconds it just closes. I've done all the traditional things like check the task manager, reinstall, run as admin etc. I could unplug all my devices but I doubt that will work because normally I don't have any devices connected to my laptop and it doesn't work on both of my computers. I think VPNs don't matter unless you are trying to get cheaper deals on games through region locks which I have never attempted to do. My bank account and paypal is set to America and my vpn is always set to America. There are thousands of other expats in China like me that do the exact same thing with no problem.

Originally posted by Floid:

Does no one read other threads anymore ?

Unplug any controllers / gamepads --> kill steam processes (if any are running) --> reboot steam.

Yup tried all those. And I don't use gamepads. Of course I read the threads, otherwise I wouldn't be posting.

i just had to do a search in my apps list and open steam from there as its not working from my task bar at that moment... never happened before...

Originally posted by Sepulchre Gaming:

I think VPNs don't matter unless you are trying to get cheaper deals on games through region locks which I have never attempted to do.

This is, unfortunately, not true. Any attempt to hide your geographical region, especially in a region where you shouldn't be using the standard Steam client, is reason for Valve to to take action against your account, if they so decide. Plus, I've known people who lost their accounts -- back in the days when that meant banned from even logging in -- for buying games out of region even when the price was higher.

And just because others haven't been caught, don't assume that means you won't be. You always use a VPN with Steam at your own risk.

Have you at least tried seeing if the same issue occurs with the client you are meant to be using in China?

Also, you are using a supported OS, right? And is it 32 bit or 64?

If your just browsing or using the forums, Valve doesn't care if you use a VPN.

It's only when you try and buy something while your VPN is active that triggers the security system.

And I never really understand the hype for VPNs, they don't really help as much as people think and any hacker worth their skills could still track your real location anyway. Your signal still has a source that gets bumped around by the VPN service and the hacker can just trace that.

I don't use a VPN and my computers location system still thinks I'm in a city that's a 2 hour drive away from me.

Originally posted by Sepulchre Gaming:

Yup tried all those. And I don't use gamepads. Of course I read the threads, otherwise I wouldn't be posting.

Seems the client boot up is running into other issues aswell for many others.
Steamtools, certain vpn/networking use cases, and hardware configs are a few known at the moment.

Most of it seems very much connected with the switch to a 64bit client.

https://v1.steam.hlxgame.cc/discussions/forum/1/694248165029777039/

You could try recovering the older 32bit client file version, if it's still in your windows file history as mentioned in the above thread. But if you have windows 23H2 or above, file history may have been disabled.

Originally posted by Floid:

Does no one read other threads anymore ?

Unplug any controllers / gamepads --> kill steam processes (if any are running) --> reboot steam.

Holly ♥♥♥♥ bro, nothing worked and then I just unpluged my gamepad and it loaded up auto. Thx!

Originally posted by Floid:

Originally posted by Sepulchre Gaming:

Yup tried all those. And I don't use gamepads. Of course I read the threads, otherwise I wouldn't be posting.

Seems the client boot up is running into other issues aswell for many others.
Steamtools, certain vpn/networking use cases, and hardware configs are a few known at the moment.

Most of it seems very much connected with the switch to a 64bit client.

https://v1.steam.hlxgame.cc/discussions/forum/1/694248165029777039/

You could try recovering the older 32bit client file version, if it's still in your windows file history as mentioned in the above thread. But if you have windows 23H2 or above, file history may have been disabled.

Thanks, this was informative. I'll see what I can do.

Originally posted by Hikari Light:

If your just browsing or using the forums, Valve doesn't care if you use a VPN.

It's only when you try and buy something while your VPN is active that triggers the security system.

And I never really understand the hype for VPNs, they don't really help as much as people think and any hacker worth their skills could still track your real location anyway. Your signal still has a source that gets bumped around by the VPN service and the hacker can just trace that.

I don't use a VPN and my computers location system still thinks I'm in a city that's a 2 hour drive away from me.

Yeah I only use a vpn because I have to. Lots of games in China are unavailable. Also I'm not going to get very far trying to read Chinese on the Chinese client. Also usernames are usually tied to a Chinese id card, which as a foreigner I don't have access to, obviously.

Filed a ticket... fingers crossed....