While this error message clearly indicates that the error code is likely to be caused when there is a server issue, various users have reported experiencing it repeatedly even when the Steam servers are available. Now, there can be various other reasons that might be triggering this error code on Steam. Here are some other potential causes:
Your overprotective security suite might be blocking the Steam client from connecting to the game servers.It may occur when your game files are infected or certain essential game files are missing.The game cache stored on Windows might have gone corrupted and thus, causing error code 41 on Steam.You may face this error if you have an outdated version of Windows OS and graphics drivers installed on your PC.For some users, the Game Mode feature was causing the error at hand.If the installation files of the game in question are damaged or broken, you might face this error code.
In any of the above scenarios, we got you covered. This post will discuss the working fixes that have helped users resolve this error. So, you can also try these fixes and get rid of the error at hand.
Fix Steam Error Code 41 on Windows PC
You can restart the Steam app or reboot your computer when you first receive the error code 41 while playing a game on Steam. Also, try logging out of your Steam app and then logging back to it to check if the error is resolved. If that doesn’t help, here are the fixes you can use:
The Steam servers are too busy to handle your request
1] Check the Steam server status
First, you should check the server status of Steam and make sure its services are up and running. As the error message suggests, the error could be triggered due to a server outage or some other ongoing server issue. Hence, determine the Steam server status and ensure that its services are not down at the moment. You can do that by using a free website status checker tool. If the servers are down, wait for some time, and then try playing the game again. In case you continue to experience error code 41 even when there is no server issue at the end of Steam, you can apply some other fix to resolve it.
2] Allow Steam in your antivirus/ firewall
This error could be very well facilitated if your security is blocking Steam or a related process. To check if your antivirus or firewall is the main culprit, disable your antivirus/ firewall temporarily. If you are using the built-in antivirus in Windows 11/10 i.e., Windows Security, disable it and then check if the error has stopped appearing. If the error is resolved after disabling your security suite, you can be sure that your antivirus or firewall was causing the error. In that case, you can permanently resolve the error by allowing the Steam app through your antivirus or firewall. The antivirus settings for exceptions, exclusions, and whitelisting are different for each antivirus. Here are the locations in two popular third-party antiviruses and Windows Security, where you can add the Steam app to allow it through your antivirus:
Avast antivirus: Navigate to Home > Settings > General > Exclusions.AVG: Go to Home > Settings > Components > Web Shield > Exceptions.Windows Security: Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Add or remove exclusions > Add an exclusion.
In addition, we will also suggest adding the game to the exception list of your antivirus so that it doesn’t block it. The default location for Steam games is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. To allow Steam through Windows Defender Firewall, follow the below steps:
First, simply the Windows Security app and go to the Firewall & network protection tab from the left-side pane.Now, click on the Allow an app through firewall option and then tap on the Change settings button.Next, under the Allowed apps and features list, select the Steam app. If it is not listed, click on the Add an app button and browse the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ location and select its main executable.Once done, checkmark the Public and Private networks options, and close the window.Lastly, reopen Steam and try playing your game to check if the error is resolved.
Read: Fix Steam stuck on Allocating disk space.
3] Verify your game files
If you still keep receiving the same error code and message, you might be dealing with faulty game files. It is very common that the game files often get infected or go missing on a Windows computer due to different reasons. However, you can easily repair bad game files on Steam. This method is reportedly effective as per various users. Hence, you can try doing the same and see if the error is gone. Note: If you have uninstalled mods previously, make sure there are no remnants left. And then, verify the integrity of your game files. Here’s how:
First, go to the LIBRARY tab in your Steam app; it will show all your installed and purchased games.Now, right-click on the game with which you are encountering error code 41 and choose the Properties option from the context menu.Inside the Properties page, navigate to the Local Files tab.After that, click on the Verify the Integrity of Game Files button and Steam will start scanning your game files and repair all the corrupted ones. This process might take a good 10-15 minutes, or even more depending upon the size of the game files.Once done, you can try playing your game and check whether or not error 41 is fixed.
If this method doesn’t work, apply the next fix. Read: Fix Steam Error Codes 53 and 101 on Windows PC.
4] Clear the game’s Cache folder
Steam stores the cache for each installed game on your computer. It helps in loading your game fast. However, if the game’s cache is corrupted, you will face errors and issues with the game. Hence, clear the cache folder for the problematic game and then check if the error is fixed or not. Here are the steps to do that:
First, evoke the Run dialog using Win+R and type %appdata% in the Open field, and press Enter.Now, in the opened location, select the folder with the name of the game with which you are experiencing the error code 41.Next, press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the cache folder for the problematic game.Once done, reopen the game and see if the error is now fixed.
5] Customize Launch Options for the problematic game
If the error continues to pop up, try customizing the launch options for the problematic game on Steam. Some affected users were able to resolve the error at hand using customized launch options. Hence, you can try doing the same and see if it helps. Here are the steps to do that:
First, go to Steam and navigate to its LIBRARY.Now, right-click on the problematic game and choose the Properties option.Next, inside the General tab, locate the Launch Options field and enter the following command in the box: safemode, fullscreen = 0After that, save the changes and reopen the game to check if the error code 41 is fixed.
Are you still facing the same error? No worries, we got some more solutions that will definitely fix the error for you. Read: Fix Steam needs to be online to update error on Windows PC.
6] Opt out of Steam Beta (if applicable)
If you have opted for Steam Beta, opt out of the Beta mode and then check if the problem is gone. Beta mode lets you test upcoming new functionalities of the app. However, it is not stable as compared to the regular version of Steam, and you might also run into several errors. Hence, opt out of the Steam Beta mode and then see if you have stopped receiving the error code 41. Here’s how to do that:
First, open your Steam app and click on the Steam menu option.After that, select the Settings option from the appeared menu options.Now, in the Account tab, click on the Change button present under the Beta participation option.Next, select the NONE – Opt out of all beta programs option.Once done, reopen the Steam app and see if you are able to play your game without the error 41.
7] Make sure your Windows and graphics drivers are up-to-date
As per some affected users, updating their Windows and graphics drivers fixed the error for them. So, make sure you have up-to-date Windows OS and graphics drivers on your PC. To update Windows, open the Settings app using Win+I, go to the Windows Update tab, and press the Check for updates button to download and install pending Windows updates. For updating your graphics drivers, go to Windows Update > Advanced options and select the Optional Updates option. Then, download and install available driver updates. Alternatively, you can also use AMD Driver Autodetect, Intel Driver Update Utility, or Dell Update utility for the same. You may also consider uninstalling your graphics driver and then reinstalling them to fix the error. It might be the case that your current graphics driver is corrupted which is why you are experiencing the error. So, reinstalling a fresh copy of the driver would fix the problem. If the error code continues with up-to-date Windows and display drivers, move on to the next potential solution. Read: How to fix Steam Error E502 L3 on Windows PC.
8] Disable Game Mode
Some affected users have reported that disabling the Game Mode function on their PC has helped them fix the error. So, if you are using Game Mode on your Windows 11/10 PC, disable it and see if the error is fixed. To do that, open the Settings app and navigate to the Gaming tab. Now, click on the Game Mode option and turn off the toggle associated with the Game Mode option.
9] Reinstall the problematic game
If you tried all the above solutions yet the error keeps appearing, the last resort is to reinstall the problematic game. Hence, first, uninstall the problematic game and then install it again. You can remove the game via Steam. Here’s how:
First, open the Steam app and go to LIBRARY.Now, right-click on the game with which you are facing the error at hand and click on the Uninstall option from the context menu.Once the game is removed, reboot your PC, and then open Steam to reinstall the game.
When done reinstalling the game, launch it and try playing the game. Hopefully, you won’t face the error code 41 anymore.
How do you fix Steam Sorry but you’re not permitted to view these materials at this time?
If you are receiving the “Sorry, but you’re not permitted to view these materials at this time” error message on Steam, make sure that you have entered an appropriate Date of Birth to access their pages. Steam has some age restrictions and you are likely to face this error when you don’t fulfill the age criteria. Apart from that, you can also try refreshing the page a couple of times and deleting the Steam HTML cache to fix the error.
How do I fix Steam running error?
To fix the “Steam must be running to play this game” error, make sure the Steam client is installed on your system, as well as ensure that the client is up-to-date. Besides that, you can also verify the integrity of the game files and see if the error is fixed. Additionally, you can log out of the Steam app and then log in back to check if the error is fixed. If nothing helps, reinstall the Steam client and it will surely fix the error for you. Now read: Steam Games not launching or opening on Windows.
