Issue: Steam failing to launch games, errors like “failed to locate universe”, and apps silently crashing on Windows 11.

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Gamingutopiagc 21 Dec @ 7:35pm

Here’s a concise, forum-ready version of your situation:

Issue: Steam failing to launch games, errors like “failed to locate universe”, and apps silently crashing on Windows 11.

What’s been tried so far:

Killing Steam processes via PowerShell (taskkill /F /IM steam.exe)

Renaming/moving Steam folder (Rename-Item) — failed due to syntax/errors

Considering full deletion of Steam data and registry keys

SFC scan ran with no errors, but apps still crash

System Specs:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

GPU: Upgrading to NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB (currently have 3060 Ti)

RAM: 32GB DDR4

PSU: 850W

Current Status:

Steam install appears corrupted/missing key files

Directly running games without Steam isn’t feasible (DRM + missing files)

Local fixes fail; PowerShell scripts run into path/folder issues

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments

Gamingutopiagc 21 Dec @ 7:38pm

have done a clean wipe of windows 11 also only seems to be steam not working

Gamingutopiagc 21 Dec @ 7:40pm

win ver 25H2 (os build 26200.7462)

RPG Gamer Man 21 Dec @ 7:56pm

is that really the error you get? failed to load the universe? That sounds like a fake error, maybe you have a virus and someone put that on your pc as a joke? That is not a real error btw. Please write the full error message on here, because either your joking or you got someone doing bad stuff on your pc.

Really sounds like something from hitchikers guide to the universe type of jokes. Also stop using CHATGPT to talk to us. Cant you write for yourself? Do you have a brain? Use your own brain and mental facilities.

Last edited by RPG Gamer Man; 21 Dec @ 7:58pm

nullterm 21 Dec @ 9:30pm

Try unplugging your game controller. My Steam client wasn’t booting after the recent 64bit update. When I unplugged it, then it ran Steam, but the Steam UI won’t recognize the controller after plugging in. But when I run a game, the game recognizes the controller just fine.

Gamingutopiagc 22 Dec @ 12:53am

Originally posted by nullterm:
Try unplugging your game controller. My Steam client wasn’t booting after the recent 64bit update. When I unplugged it, then it ran Steam, but the Steam UI won’t recognize the controller after plugging in. But when I run a game, the game recognizes the controller just fine.

bro stop it worked lmao

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Date Posted: 21 Dec @ 7:35pm

Posts: 5

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