How To Fix Steam Client Bootstrapper Not Responding Issue

Steam is a video game digital distribution platform that allows subscribers to buy their favorite PC games and download it straight to their computer. It’s a faster way to get games compared to going to a physical store and getting a copy of the game. Although this is quite a solid platform there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue.

How To Fix Steam Client Bootstrapper Not Responding Issue

Before performing the recommended troubleshooting steps for this particular problem I suggest that you try restarting your computer first. This will refresh the operating system as well as remove corrupt temporary data and is quite effective in fixing most software related issues.

There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a corrupted file to a hardware issue. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.

Disconnect the Xbox 360 controller

One of the main factors that can cause this problem is the Xbox controller connected to the computer. This appears to be a bug in the software.

  • Press Windows + R button to open the Run application.
  • Type “taskmgr”. This will open the Task Manager.
  • Search for different Steam processes which are running and close them one by one.
  • Once you have closed all the processes disconnect your controller from the port and close all the applications open which manage the controller hardware. Refresh your screen and proceed with the next step to opt out of Steam beta.
  • What opting out of beta actually means is opting out of updates until they are officially launched. There are both pros and cons of the beta phase.
  • Open your Steam client and in the upper left corner you will see an option named “Steam”. Click it and navigate to settings.
  • When you are in the settings, click the tab named “Account”. Here you will see an option named “Beta participation”. Make sure that your client isn’t part of any beta phases. Click the option and you will see a drop down window allowing you to select your option.
  • Select the option which says “NONE- Opt out of all beta programs”. Close Steam and open task manager to end all the Steam processes. Restart your computer and open Steam again. If your client was part of a beta program, it will install some updates before you can play your games again.
  • If you face any problem while opting out of beta you can browse to your directory and delete the beta files from there. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Press the Win + R button. This should pop-up the Run application. In the dialogue box write “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”.
  • Browse to a folder named “Packages” and delete all the files that start with beta. Close the window and after starting the client again, follow the method on how to opt out beta mentioned in step number 4.

Check if the Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue still occurs.

Clear the download cache

One factor that can cause this problem is a corrupted download cache. To check if this is the culprit you will need to remove the cached data of Steam.

  • Open your Steam client and navigate to Settings. This is located in the top left menu.
  • Locate Downloads in the Settings panel.
  • Click Clear Download Cache. Click OK to confirm your choice and after a while, Steam will ask for your login credentials.
  • After logging in again, Steam will start as expected.

Check if the Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue still occurs.

Try running Steam as an administrator

  • Press Windows + R button to open the Run application.
  • Type “taskmgr”. This is a command to bring up the Task Manager.
  • Search for different Steam processes which are running and close them one by one. Don’t leave any behind. This ensures that the changes we make stay concrete and get saved so when we launch the client again, it doesn’t display any errors.
  • Right click on the Steam client and select “Run as administrator”.

Check if the problem still occurs.

Turn off the antivirus

Sometimes the problem can be caused by the interference of the antivirus software. You can check if this is what’s causing the problem by turning off your computer security software.

Avast

  • Right-click on the avast! icon in the system tray. Select avast! shields control and there will be options to disable avast for 10 minutes, 1 hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently.

Bitdefender

  • Double click on the system icon for Bit Defender.
  • When the Bit Defender window appears, move the mouse arrow to the left side and click >> Virus Shield.
  • Move mouse arrow to the black check by Virus Shield is enabled and click.
  • The black works will change to red, >> Virus Shield is disabled.
  • Move mouse arrow to the top right corner and click the down arrows.
  • Bit Defender is now inactive.
  • To enable Bit Defender, do the same steps except click to enable.

Microsoft Security Essentials

  • Right-click on the MSE icon in the system tray and choose Open.
  • Click the Settings tab, then click Real Time Protection.
  • Uncheck the box next to “Turn on real time protection”.
  • Click the “Save changes” button.
  • Exit MSE when done.

ESET

  • Double click on the system tray icon to open the main application window.
  • Or via Start >> All Programs >> ESET >> ESET Smart Security.
  • Click Setup >> Antivirus and antispyware >> Temporarily disable Antivirus and antispyware protection.
  • When prompted to confirm temporarily disable select Yes.
  • Note: Protection will be automatically started after a system reboot.

McAfee

  • Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for the McAfee icon.
  • Right-click it -> chose “Exit.”
  • A popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on “Yes” to disable the Antivirus guard.

In case the issue does not occur when the antivirus software is turned off then you should add Steam to the exception list.

Disable any VPN programs

Steam has recommended that you run the software without any VPN running as this could cause certain issues to occur.

  • Press Windows + R button to open the Run application. In the dialogue box type “cmd”. This is a command to bring up the Command prompt.
  • Type “netsh winsock reset catalog” and hit enter. If the command was successful you should be receiving a message which says “Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog”.
  • Restart the computer.

Check if the Steam client bootstrapper not responding issue still occurs.

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