How to Troubleshoot Steam Friends Network Unreachable on Windows 10

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Steam is without a doubt the most popular gaming platform on the PC. Millions of users connect to Steam servers for their daily gaming needs. And with the Steam desktop client, things are running as smoothly as ever.

However, some users have reported encountering several bugs in the app. One of them is the Steam error “Friends Network Unreachable.” The error reads as follows:

“FRIENDS NETWORK UNREACHABLE.

This error may indicate that your local network is offline or that the Steam Friends servers are currently offline.

PLEASE TRY CONNECTING AGAIN.”

What’s causing the Steam friends network to be unavailable?

  • Some users have reported that the error is related to Steam web browser cookies. Sometimes this cache can be corrupted and cause problems.
  • If you are playing on a PC and encounter this error on your Windows 11/10 gaming system, it is likely due to a bug in the current version of Steam installed on your computer.

How to resolve Steam’s ‘Friends Network Unreachable’?

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Restart your modem and router

  1. Unplug your modem (and router if it is a standalone device).
  2. Wait 60 seconds for the modem (and router) to cool down.
  3. Reconnect the network devices and wait until the lights turn on normally.
  4. Restart your computer.
  5. Start Steam and make sure that your friends list is available.

Clear your cache and cookies in Steam

  1. Launch Steam and sign in to your account.
  2. Click Steam -> Settings.
  3. Select Web Browser and click DELETE WEB BROKER COOKIE or DELETE ALL BROKER COOKIES.
  4. Finally, click OK.
  5. Exit Steam.
  6. Restart Steam, then click when your friends list is properly loaded.

Participate in or terminate Steam beta programs

  1. Start Steam and sign in to your account.
  2. Click Steam -> Settings.
  3. Select Account, then click Edit under Beta Participation.
  4. In the window that opens, select the option that will change your participation status. Then click OK.
  5. Exit Steam.
  6. Launch Steam and verify that your friends list is available.



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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Restart your Steam connection.
  2. Check the status of your Steam server.
  3. Check your internet connection.
  4. Reboot your computer.
  5. Shut down or disable background apps.
  6. Launch Steam as an administrator.
  7. Make sure your router and modem are not malfunctioning.
  8. Turn off the Windows Firewall.

Some users have reported that the error is related to Steam web browser cookies. Sometimes this cache can be corrupted and cause problems. If you are playing on a PC and encounter this error on your Windows 11/10 gaming system, it is likely due to a bug in the current version of Steam installed on your computer.

  1. Unplug your modem (and router if it is a standalone device) from the wall outlet.
  2. Wait 60 seconds for the modem (and router) to cool down.
  3. Reconnect the network devices and wait until the lights return to normal.
  4. Reboot your computer.
  5. Launch Steam and make sure that your friends list is available.

Related posts:
  1. How to Repair Steam ‘Content Servers Unreachable’ Error Message
  2. How to Repair “Steam is Having Trouble Connecting to the Steam Servers” on Windows 10
  3. How to Troubleshoot Steam Error Code 310 on Windows PC
  4. How to Fix Steam Running Slow on Windows 10
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