Many people experience a problem where their Steam overlay stops working and they are left in a tight situation. There is not a single solution for this problem as the problem varies depending on the hardware and software configuration of the user. We have listed down a number of solutions for you to test. Try them in a descending and don’t skip any solution unless prompted to.
Solution 1: Granting administrator access
The most foremost reason why your steam overlay isn’t working can be that the programs don’t have administrator access. In many computers, this is the default option when you install Steam. We will guide on how to navigate to the executable files and giving them the permissions of an administrator.
Solution 2: Enabling Steam Overlay
There is an option in Steam which enables the Steam Overlay. It may be possible your overlay isn’t working because that option isn’t enabled. We can try enabling it and starting Steam again to see if the problem gets fixed.
Solution 3: Opening from the main game folder
Another remedy is to open the game you are playing directly from its installation folder. There may be a bug if you launch the game from the Steam launcher which disables Steam overlay. The final address would look something like this.
Solution 4: Disabling third-party applications
Third-party applications such as Fraps or Razer Synapse can cause problems when trying to access Steam overlay. The reason for that is these applications require control of your system overlay when they are running. Your system/screen overlay is shared by the game you are playing and by that third party application. When another application (Steam overlay) tries to access it, it cannot because already it is being used by two other parties. The best way is to disable them and try opening Steam overlay again when playing any game.
Note: You can also try to use it in safe mode with networking and check if that fixes your issue.
Solution 5: Restarting your PC
Although it doesn’t seem much, restarting your PC can solve the problem. It may be the case that your Steam updated in the background and had updates installed. Because of those new updates, it can be that it isn’t performing its full functionality (running Steam overlay) until the PC is restarted to apply all the changes it went through with the update. Restart your computer and run Steam as administrator and check if Steam overlay is working when playing any game.
Solution 6: Verifying local game files and library files
It may be the case that your game files may be corrupted or may have some missing game files. Because of this Steam overlay wouldn’t open in your game. Your library files can also be in the incorrect configuration which may lead to a bugged Steam overlay.
Solution 7: Checking your Firewall and Antivirus
It is a very common reality that your firewall and antivirus software conflicts with Steam. Steam has a lot of processes going on at once to ensure that your gaming experience is nothing but the best. However, many antivirus software marks these processes as potential threats and quarantine them resulting in some processes/applications not working. We have put together a guide on how to put steam as an exception in antivirus. For disabling the Windows Firewall, follow the steps listed below.
Solution 8: Checking for Windows updates
As we all know, Steam keeps its client up to date with all the latest upgrades and developments of any operating system. It adapts its functions and options accordingly. If Steam gets updated for that new change in your OS, and your OS isn’t upgraded on your side, it may cause Steam not to function properly. As a result, your Steam overlay won’t launch when you are playing any game. Follow the steps listed below to check for potential updates and install them accordingly.
Note: You can also check manually for updates if automatic-check fails.
Solution 9: Disabling gameoverlayui.exe
Gameoverlayui.exe is not essential for the Windows OS. Disabling it causes relatively no problems. It is located in the subfolder of C:\Program Files. It signed by Verisign and has no information regarding its developer. It is also not a Windows system file so you don’t have to worry about it causing any unexpected errors. Disabling this process sometimes fixes the issue of Steam overlay not working. Follow the steps listed below to disable it from task manager.
Solution 10: Deleting GameoverlayUI
Before we reinstall Steam and its components, it’s worth a shot to delete the GameoverlayUI application and checking the problem gets fixed. Note that you don’t have to delete it permanently. You can always retrieve it using the Recycle Bin.
Solution 11: Enabling Overlay for Specific Game
In certain cases, the overlay might’ve been disabled for one specific game due to which it is not showing up in that game. In order to change this, we will open the properties for that game and change its configurations. For that:
Final Solution: Refreshing Steam files
If the error still persists at this stage, we have no choice but to refresh Steam files. Refreshing Steam files will reinstall Steam on your computer again. We will delete some of the configuration folders to ensure that they get renewed upon the installation and all the bad files get removed. Please note that any interruption during the copy process will corrupt the files and you will have to re-download the entire content over again. Only proceed with this solution if you are sure that your computer won’t be interrupted. The user data folder contains all the data of your gameplay. We don’t need to delete it. Furthermore, inside Steamapps, you will have to search for the game that is giving you the problem and only delete that folder. The other files located contain the installation and game files of other games you have installed. However, if all the games are giving you problems, we suggest that you skip deleting the Steamapps folder and proceed with the following step.
Failed to Load Overlay Localization File in Steam FixesHow to Fix CAM Overlay not WorkingFix: Origin Overlay not WorkingFix: Discord Overlay Not Working
