Many users have been getting Steam Error Code (41) recently while launching certain games on their Windows computers. The error message reads, ‘The Steam servers are too busy to handle your request‘ followed by the game name you are about to play.
The error message can be frustrating, especially if you desperately want to play the game. The appearance of the error message indicates that Steam’s servers were facing a problem, and you needed to wait for a few minutes or hours.
Sometimes, the error message can appear due to incorrect settings, outdated Steam client, corrupted app installation files, etc. However, the good thing is that Steam Error Code (41) can be easily fixed by following these steps.
1. Restart your PC
Before you try any troubleshooting, it’s important to restart your PC. Restarting will help you eliminate the system level glitches that may prevent the Steam client on your PC from functioning properly.
Hence, click the Windows Start button and select Power Menu > Restart.
2. Check if your internet is working
The first thing you should do if you get the Steam error code 41 is check whether your internet is working.
Even if your internet is working, you must ensure there’s no connection drop issue. The Steam desktop client relies on the internet to connect to the server. Hence, if the internet connection drops, you will get this error message.
You can use any speed test website to check your current internet speed. For accurate speed test information, we recommend you use fast.com.
3. Check Whether Steam’s servers are down
If you read the error message carefully, ‘The Steam servers are too busy to handle your request’, you will know that Steam’s servers are too busy.
Steam’s servers are busy when too many users connect to the client. While this is a rare issue, it can happen. Another possibility is that Steam’s servers are facing an outage or are down for maintenance.
In both situations, you will get the same error message: ‘The Steam servers are too busy to handle your request. ‘ To confirm whether Steam’s servers are up, you need to check the Steam server status page at down detector.
If the downdetector page shows that users have reported problems, you must wait until the servers are restored. Once restored, you can play your favorite game without any errors.
4. Update your Graphics Driver
While updating the graphics driver is irrelevant, you can still try this. Updating the graphics driver will rule out glitches that may interfere with the Steam desktop client.
Also, having an updated graphic driver is recommended for better graphics performance and smooth gameplay. Here’s how to update the graphics driver on Windows.
1. First, click on Windows search and type in Device Manager. Next, open the Device Manager app from the list.
2. On the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your graphic driver and select Properties.
4. On the Properties dialog box, tap the Update driver option.
5. On the prompt that appears next, select Search automatically for drivers.
Now follow the on-screen instructions to update your graphics driver on a Windows computer.
5. Allow Steam Through the Firewall
Windows Defender is the built-in security tool of the Windows operating system. While the security tool works great, sometimes it can block apps from running. Chances are that the Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the Steam client from connecting to the server, resulting in an error message.
Hence, this method will allow Steam through the firewall on Windows Defender.
1. First, click on Windows search and type in Windows Firewall. Next, open the Windows Defender Firewall from the list of available options.
2. When the firewall program opens, click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall link on the left.
3. On the next screen, click on the Change Settings button.
4. Now, find Steam and check the boxes for both Private and Public. You need to do the same for Steam Web Helper.
After making the changes, click the Ok button and restart your Windows computer. This should fix the Steam error message.
6. Disable the Antivirus Programs
After allowing Steam through the firewall, you need to disable the third-party Antivirus program you may be using.
While this isn’t a sureshot fix to the problem, but it has worked for many Steam users facing the same problem.
7. Verify the Integrity of the Game File
If you are still getting the error code while running a specific game on Steam, the game files are likely faulty. In that case, you need to verify the integrity of the game file to repair corrupted or faulty files. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Launch the Steam desktop client on your PC and switch to the Library tab.
2. On the Library, right-click on the game you are trying to launch and select Properties.
3. On the Properties screen, switch to the Local Files tab.
4. On the right side, click on the ‘Verify integrity of game files‘ option.
Now, Steam will automatically find and fix the fault files for your selected game.
8. Disable the VPN/Proxy Server
If you are connected to a VPN or Proxy server while running the game, you need to disable it. VPNs and Proxies force the Steam desktop client to connect from a different location.
The error appears when the Steam client tries to connect to a server far away from you. So, you need to disconnect the VPN apps or Proxy servers as you try to run a game.
9. Reinstall the Problematic Game
Well, if the game you are trying to run still shows the Steam error code 41, the next best option is to reinstall the problematic games.
However, reinstallation must be your last option because it will remove the game via Steam. You have to download the game from scratch again, which may take time and consume internet bandwidth.
Reinstalling games on Steam is easy. Follow the simple steps shared below.
- First of all, open the Steam app on your computer.
- Next, switch to the Library tab to see all installed games.
- Now, right-click on the problematic game and select Uninstall.
- On the Uninstall confirmation prompt, click on the Uninstall button again.
Now restart your Windows computer and install the game again. Once installed, run the game. You won’t get the error anymore.
The Steam servers are too busy to handle your request and are usually linked with the Steam servers. So, before following the methods, it becomes important to check whether Steam’s servers face any outages. Let us know if you need more help fixing Steam errors in the comments. Also, if the article helped you, share it with your friends.