Error: Steam is temporarily unavailable - what to do?
If you start Steam or a game, the message "Steam is temporarily unavailable" may appear in rare cases - the client will then be closed and games will not work. Fortunately, the error can be rectified quickly with the right steps.
Steam is temporarily unavailable - delete clientregistry.blob
Typically, the error message disappears when you delete the clientregistry.blob file from your hard drive:
- Make sure that Steam is completely finished and is not running in offline mode.
- Now open the Steam installation directory (the directory in which the "Steam.exe" file is also located) in Windows Explorer. This is usually the path "C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Steam".
- Look for the "clientregistry.blob" file and delete it. If you get an error message here, we will help you in a special article.
- Then restart Steam. The previously deleted file is automatically recreated and Steam should work properly again.
Steam is temporarily unavailable: further solutions
The error message "Steam is temporarily unavailable" can also have other causes. Therefore, if the clientregistry.blob file does not resolve the problem, you should do the following:
- If you haven't already, restart your PC and then try running Steam.
- Make sure that your internet connection is working properly, since an unstable internet connection can also cause the error message.
- Scan your system for viruses and remove any pests that may be found. You can find instructions on how to do this in our video.
- If you are using a software firewall, switch it off for testing. We explain how to switch off the Windows Firewall here. If Steam works afterwards, you have to adjust the rules of your firewall.
- The error can also occur if the Steam servers are temporarily unavailable. In this case, all you can do is wait until the cause is resolved.
- If all attempts to repair have so far been unsuccessful, you can ultimately completely remove Steam from your hard drive and reinstall it. Use the latest version of the Steam client for the installation.
By the way: After reinstalling Steam, you don't necessarily have to download all games again. You can find out what to do here in the next practical tip.