How to fix error 53 on Steam?

In today’s article, we’ll be looking at Error 53 on Steam. So, as we all know, Steam is an extremely stable service, at least in most cases. Nevertheless, while using it, you may come across some problems, malfunctions and errors here and there. Error 53 on Steam shows up when you try to launch a game from your library, especially if that game required a recent update to be installed. In addition to the code itself, the following message is attached to the error:

The steam servers are too busy to process your request for *****. Error code (53)

Of course, the reason for error 53 on Steam can be the extreme load on the Valve servers, especially for games such as Counter Strike Global Offensive or Dota 2. Nevertheless, as many years of practice show, this error can occur on users’ computers and completely other reasons.

There are many reasons for this: a bug in the operating system, interference with antivirus software or firewall (including the system one), an extremely busy download region, corrupted Steam client files, and much more. As you might imagine, identifying the cause of error 53 on Steam can be extremely challenging at times.

However, despite this, in this article you will find a number of solutions that theoretically can resolve error 53 on Steam. Most of them have been repeatedly tested by a huge number of users around the world. I also want to say that you can apply them in any order convenient for you – it does not matter.

Error Code 53 on Steam: Solutions

Restarting the Steam Client

The Steam client can sometimes start working incorrectly: the client’s browser stops working, you cannot open the game library, any content from the servers cannot be downloaded for an unknown reason, and so on. However, it should be noted that this happens very rarely. Perhaps error 53 in Steam is just another bug in the work of the Valve distribution client, which will not be difficult to fix with a simple restart of the application.

Restart your computer

It is worth noting that a huge variety of all kinds of bugs, errors and other problems can arise in the operating system. Sometimes, very rarely, something can go wrong in the system that will affect the work of the Steam client. Error 53 on Steam may be due to a bug in the operating system. Try restarting your computer to find out if it is involved in this error or not.

Change to a less busy region

Let’s assume that error 53 on Steam is still caused by too busy servers for your region. This problem occurs from time to time, and some of us have to change the region to boot. You can change it in just a few seconds, so let’s see how. Do the following:

  • open Steam;
  • click on the button Steam in the menu bar;
  • select item Settings;
  • go to tab Downloads;
  • find download region drop-down menu and change your region

It is worth noting that experiments with the load region can take a lot of time, since, sometimes, it is possible to find a more or less free region only after three, four, or even five shifts. However, we strongly recommend that you try changing about five regions to check if error 53 on Steam is caused by loaded servers or not. If you change and change, and the error still stands still, move on.

Restarting the Wi-Fi router

A router is an extremely useful thing that is present in everyday life for a huge number of Internet users, and there are a lot of them. Nevertheless, a Wi-Fi router, if left in active operation for too long, may start to work unstable, i.e. cut connection speed, cut off connected devices from the network, and much more. We recommend that you try restarting your router, if one is present, to check if it is responsible for error 53 on Steam.

Disable antivirus software

Antiviruses are extremely useful programs that often protect our systems against numerous intruders from the depths of the Internet. Nevertheless, antiviruses can cause a lot of problems for users. Error 53 on Steam might just be one of those problems. It can be assumed that the antivirus blocked some Steam files or downloadable files for the game being launched from the library.

To check the involvement of an antivirus, try disabling this software on your computer. And it doesn’t matter what antivirus you use – System Defender or third-party software. Windows Defender can be easily disabled in the section Updates and security in Parameters your system. With a third-party antivirus, it can be different – it may even have to be removed from the system in order to disable its functionality. Either way, get rid of your antivirus and see if error 53 goes away on Steam.

Disabling the Firewall

A firewall is a program that regulates network connections on your system. Perhaps the firewall, for some reason only known to it, blocked the Steam network connection, as a result of which it is impossible to launch and update the game you need. Try disabling Windows Firewall to see if error 53 appeared on Steam due to its fault.

Disabling Windows Firewall is easy enough, especially on Windows 10:

  • double click on Windows Defender icon in Start notification bar;
  • go to tab Firewall and network security;
  • enter settings each type of network and expose slider to off position;

Once Windows Firewall is deactivated, try going to Steam and launch the game you want. Error 53 may have been fixed, but Firewall is rarely the culprit.

Reinstalling the Steam Client

Ok, if none of the above helped you, try reinstalling your Steam client. There is a high probability that some of the client files were corrupted, as a result of which error 53 appears on Steam. Try running other games as well to check this. If it shows up even when launching other games, definitely try reinstalling.

Be sure to clear your entire computer of Steam files for a clean install. As soon as a fresh copy of the client is on your computer, try launching the game you want again. Oftentimes, reinstalling helps in such cases, especially as we said, if you’ve tried all of the above solutions.

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