How To Fix Steam Overlay Not Working Issue

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The Steam Overlay feature is an in-game feature that allows you to access several Steam features while playing a game. All you need to do is to click on the Shift-Tab key on the keyboard to open the overlay while in a game. Although this is a great feature there are instances when certain issues will occur. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Steam Overlay not working issue.

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How To Fix Steam Overlay Not Working Issue

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from an access issue to a wrong setting. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.

Provide administrative access to Steam

One of the reasons why this issue will occur is because Steam does not have administrative access. Try giving this software administrative access then check if the issue still occurs.

  • Open the Steam directory. The default location of it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.
  • Locate a file named “Steam.exe” then right click on it and select Properties. Select the Compatibility tab from the top of the screen. At the bottom of the window, you will see a check box stating “Run this program as an administrator”. Make sure it is checked. Save changes and exit.
  • Locate the file named “GameOverlayUI.exe”. Right click and select its properties. Select the Compatibility tab from the top of the screen. At the bottom of the window, you will see a check box stating “Run this program as an administrator”. Make sure it is checked. Save changes and exit.
  • Restart Steam

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Enable Steam Overlay

Before you can use Steam Overlay you will need to make sure that this feature is enabled.

  • Open your Steam client.
  • Click on the option named Steam present in the upper left side of the window. From the drop down box select Settings to open the Settings interface.
  • Click on the In-Game tab present on the left side of the screen. Here you will see a check box stating “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”. Make sure it is checked. You can also check if you are pressing the correct Overlay shortcut keys. You can also change them if you want.
  • Click on the Library tab present in the top of the window. The games that are installed in your computer will be listed here. Right click on the game in which the overlay isn’t working and select Properties.
  • You will see another check box stating “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”. Make sure it is checked.
  • Restart Steam.

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Disable third party applications

There are certain third party applications that can interfere with the way Steam Overlay works. Some of the applications that are known to cause issues are Fraps and Synapse. Try closing these apps from the task manager then check if the issue still occurs.

Verify local game files and library files

There’s a possibility that a corrupted game is causing this problem. You can fix this by verifying your game files.

  • Open your Steam client and click Library present on the top. Select the game in which Steam overlay fails to open.
  • Right click on the game which is giving you the error and select Properties.
  • Once in the properties, browse to the Local Files tab and click on the option which says Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will then start verifying all the files present if there is any file missing/corrupted, it will download that file again and replace it accordingly.
  • Go to your Settings by pressing the Settings option after clicking Steam present in the bottom left corner of the screen. Once in the Settings, open the Downloads tab present at the left side of the interface.
  • You will see a box in which it is written “Steam Library Folders”. Click it
  • All your steam content information will be listed. Right click on it and select “Repair Library Files”.
  • Restart Steam

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Adding Steam exception to Antivirus

There are instances when your antivirus software can interfere with how Steam works. It might be causing this overlay issue. To fix this you will have to add Steam as an exception to your antivirus.

Avira

  • Go to your taskbar on the bottom right of your screen and press the tiny umbrella you see there.
  • A window named Professional Security will open. Click on the option of “Extras” located on the top and a drop down menu will appear. From the drop down menu, click on Configurations.
  • Select PC Protection and then navigate to Scan. In the Scan, you will be given a number of different options. Select Exceptions and you will see a dialogue box.
  • In the dialogue box, you have to enter the address/pathway to your Steam directory so it can be excluded. You can press the browse button and through the file explorer, select the Steam directory to add it to the list of exceptions. Once you have selected the folder, press Ok and click Add. Steam should now be added to your exceptions list.

Bitdefender

  • Open Bitdefender and go to the Protection Window by clicking the shield icon.
  • Click on the link which says View Modules.
  • Click on the Settings icon which you can see on the upper right corner of the antivirus.
  • Go to the Exclusions tab present in the window.
  • Click on “List of files and folders excluded from scanning”.
  • Click on the ADD button. Navigate to your Steam directory and select the folder named Steam to excluded it from the scanning process. You should also select the Both options before you add an exception
  • Click Add and save changes.
  • You can also add Steam.exe in the exceptions list by clicking on “List of processes excluded from scanning”. When the window pops up, you can navigate to Steam.exe which is present in your main Steam directory. Select both and save changes.

Avast

  • Open the Avast interface.
  • Click on Settings found at the bottom left corner of the screen.
  • Go to General and scroll down the options until you find Exclusions.
  • Expand the section and you will see a dialogue where you can add global exceptions. Navigate to your Steam directory using the browse option. The default location for Steam is (C:\Program Files\Steam). If you installed Steam another directory, you can also browse to that.
  • Once you have selected the Steam folder, click on ADD found at the bottom left side of the screen. Press OK and Steam is now added to global exceptions of Avast antivirus.

Windows Defender

  • Click Windows button and in the search bar type “Windows defender”. Open “Windows Defender Security Center”. 
  • You will find a list of options available in the new window. Select the option “Virus and threat protection”.
  • Navigate to Virus and Threat Protection Settings. Windows may prompt you to allow an administrator access to use this feature. If so, press Yes.
  • Look for the window which says “Add or remove exclusions”. Click it and you will be navigated to a menu where you can add exclusions. You can exclude folders, extensions, and even files. In this case, we will exclude the whole Steam folder which is located in the directory you downloaded it.
  • Click on the option which says “Exclude a folder” and navigate to your Steam directory. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

Malwarebytes

  • Open your Malwarebytes window by clicking on the icon in the taskbar located at the bottom right side of the screen.
  • Click on the Malware Exclusions tab located on the left side of the window.
  • In this tab, you find an option which says “Add folder”. Click it and you will be navigated to File Explorer from where you can select your Steam directory easily. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

Norton

  • Open your Norton application using the icon present in your task bar at the bottom right of your Windows screen.
  • Go to its Settings.
  • Select the tab of Scams and Risks. You will be presented with a number of options. Look for Exclusions/Low Risks at the near bottom. Click it to expand. On the “Items to Exclude from scans” click the Configure button in front of it.
  • You can add the Steam directory to the list of exclusions. Click Add Folders and navigate to your Steam directory. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

Kaspersky

  • Open Kaspersky AV from the icon present in your taskbar at the bottom right of the screen.
  • G to the Settings menu.
  • In the Settings, select the tab of Additional and select the tab of Threats and Exclusions from the list of options given.
  • In the Threats and Exclusion settings, click on the Configure Exclusions present in the middle of the screen.
  • In the Exclusions window, select the option of Add present in the bottom right of the screen.
  • Now navigate to the Steam directory using the Browse button. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

ESET NOD 32

  • Open the ESET product using the icon present on your taskbar at the bottom right.
  • Select the Setup tab and from the list of options, select Computer Protection.
  • Select the gear icon present next to “Real-time file system protection”. After clicking it, you will get an option regarding edit exclusions. Click it.
  • Click on the icon of Add and then browse to your Steam directory. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

McAfee

  • Open McAfee Antivirus by clicking on its icon present on the toolbar on the bottom right side of your Windows
  • Click on Manage Security.
  • Select the option of Schedule and run scans option present in the box of Virus and Spyware Protection.
  • Select the option of Schedules scans from the list of options that follow. A new window will open and from there you will see the Add button present under the tab of Excluded Files and Folders. Select Steam directory after clicking Add through the file explorer. The default location for your steam folder should be “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”. Once you reach the location select the folder and save changes.

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Disable the firewall

There’s a possibility that your computer firewall is causing this problem. To check if it is you will need to disable it.

  • Type “firewall” in the search dialogue
  • Select the option which says “Windows Defender Firewall”.
  • Look for an option which says “Turn Windows Firewall on or off”. It will be present at the left side of the screen.
  • There are  two checkboxes. One for Private networks and the other for Public networks. You can easily disable Firewall for both of them by clicking the option “Turn off Windows Firewall”.
  • After making the changes, click Ok to save your settings and exit. 

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Check for Windows updates

Open the Settings application by clicking the Start button then the gear icon.

  • Go to “Update and Security”.
  • Click on  Check for updates.If there are updates then it will download them and ask before installing.
  • Restart your computer after the updates have been installed.

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

Refresh Steam files

In case the above steps fails to fix the problem then you will need to refresh the Steam files.

  • Go to your Steam directory. The default location for your directory is C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam.
  • Locate the following files and folders: Userdata (folder), Steam.exe ( Application), Steamapps (folder)
  • Delete all other files/folders. Take note that you should only delete  the game inside the Steamapps folder that is giving you problems.
  • Restart Steam. It will redownload the missing file.

Check if the Steam Overlay not working issue still occurs.

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