Can't download any Steam games despite Steam itself working flawlessly

Question

Can't download any Steam games despite Steam itself working flawlessly

So pretty much as the title says, I can't download any Steam games from my library. I haver tried 4 different internet connections (all 4 being totally different ISPs one of which was via iPhone tethering). I have troubleshooted everything you can with the Steam client itself according to Steam Support, but still no change. Just to ensure it wasn't somehow an ISP issue, I tried downloading on my older Mac that doesn't have the hardware capable of running my selected games, and that (MBA 2017) downloads any and all titles like a charm. With this MBA 2022, no a single download will successfully launch.

Steam itself when failing to download a title says "No internet connection". But this cannot be the case due to Steam signing in and having every other service it offers functional. Even game streaming from another machine. So I'm definitely thinking it's something to do with my macOS install/some setting within it.

I've disabled the setting to block connections firewall just to see if something was going on there, but that made no difference. Is there anything on macOS that could be causing such issues. Is it a drive write access violation? I have no idea but it's really annoying. I've had this Mac a month and not made any progress.

Just to mention, the only program having any sort of downloading issue is Steam. No other program on my computer has any sort of internet issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 10:17 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,516 points

Oct 27, 2023 9:39 AM in response to logancheckley935

Are you sure both Steam and the game you are trying to download & run are compatible & supported on an Apple Silicon Mac? Unless the game has an explicit note saying it is compatible with Apple Silicon (or M1, M2 CPU), then assume it is not compatible. Just because the system requirements mention macOS 10.13+, does not mean it will run on all newer operating systems....sometimes the system requirements are not properly updated.

Have you checked for any comments or asked for any assistance on the Steam forums for that particular game? They will likely have better information & knowledge about any system issues. Games have always been difficult to keep running, so it doesn't surprise me in the least.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,516 points

Feb 2, 2024 9:45 PM in response to MEDIAWiRX

MEDIAWiRX wrote:

I'm getting the exact same issue. I at one point, was able to download stuff like Counter-Strike 2 and another game. I havent used Steam on my M1 Mini in a about 6 months. But ARMA 3 is now supported on this computer, and I purchased the base game for about $7, now, I cant download a single thing. Updates to Counter-Strike, nada. Downloads for any games, nada. I was able to download the client, update that, and sign in with no issue. It took my money with no problem, and now I cant get anything. I continue to get 'No Internet Connection' or 'Timed Out', etc. Very frustrating.

Contact Steam support.

You have to keep in mind that many older games may not be compatible with newer versions of macOS or Apple Silicon Macs. You should first verify that any games you want to purchase are compatible both with the version of macOS and also an Apple Silicon Mac. It is best to check the comments section of the game's product page in Steam before purchasing and also checking the Steam forums to see if anyone is reporting an issue with the game on the same OS you are using and an Apple Silicon Mac.

Apple keeps making so many major changes to macOS and the Apple hardware that it is up to the user to make sure the software they purchase is compatible with their systems.

Steam is just an app providing an online store to access all available games on the Steam platform allowing you to purchase any game, for any platform, using any computer. Steam is nothing like the Apple App Store where it focuses on one single computer platform. Steam behaves completely differently since Steam was created mostly for Windows systems and was expanded to allow macOS games.

IIRC, you have a chance for a refund if you ask for it within so many hours/days and have played the game less than so many hours, but it all varies by the game. Review the Steam documentation to find out how to request a refund.....the clock is ticking.

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Answer 3

Feb 2, 2024 7:35 PM in response to logancheckley935

I'm getting the exact same issue. I at one point, was able to download stuff like Counter-Strike 2 and another game. I havent used Steam on my M1 Mini in a about 6 months. But ARMA 3 is now supported on this computer, and I purchased the base game for about $7, now, I cant download a single thing. Updates to Counter-Strike, nada. Downloads for any games, nada. I was able to download the client, update that, and sign in with no issue. It took my money with no problem, and now I cant get anything. I continue to get 'No Internet Connection' or 'Timed Out', etc. Very frustrating.

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