Steam can't be installed - you can do that

Many PC games require Steam, so it is particularly annoying if the Steam client cannot be installed at all. Since there are various reasons for this, there are several possible solutions. In this practical tip we will show you what you can do.

Steam can't be installed - you can do that

Before you start looking for a solution to the installation problems, you should simply restart your PC. In many cases, Steam can then be installed. If that doesn't help, follow these tips:

• Download the latest desktop client for Steam. You can find this at Chip.de or on the official website. Make sure to load the correct version as there is Steam for Windows, MacOS and Linux.
• Temporarily switch off your firewall, virus scanner and other security applications running in the background, as these can block the installation. Firewalls in particular often prevent the necessary Internet access in the standard configuration.
• Because the installation tool downloads required files from the Internet, you must be connected to the Internet during installation. You can find out whether your internet connection is working properly with the CHIP speed test.

More tips for installation problems

• The manufacturer Valve recommends at least 1 GB free hard disk space for installing Steam. You should therefore make sure you have enough storage space or set up Steam on another hard drive.
• The installation may also fail if your Windows user account does not have the required rights. Use a user account with administrator rights for the setup. You can also try to right-click the installer and then select "Run as administrator".
• If you have installed Steam in the past, any remaining data can prevent the installation. You should therefore remove Steam completely. It may be necessary to intervene in the Windows registry.

If Steam does not start after the installation, read the next practical tip on how to solve the problem.