How to fix “failed to initialize STEAM” error on PUBG
If you want to play PUBG on a PC, you will have to download it on Steam. Steam handles everything from download to installation and launch. If you’re not running Steam, it will open in the background when you run a Steam game. It will run in the background and if it fails to do so, you won’t be able to play your game.
Fix “failed to initialize STEAM” error on PUBG
Steam is essential if you want to play any Steam game. If you get the failed to initialize STEAM error each time you launch PUBG, you won’t be able to play the game. Chances are, you won’t be able to enter the lobby, let alone join a game or collect one of your daily rewards. Here’s how you can fix the error.
Restart Steam
Steam is normally set to run at startup which means it’s always running in the background. Normally, this shouldn’t be a problem but when you see the failed to initialize STEAM, it might be time to restart the client.
- Right-click Steam in the system tray.
- Select Exit from the context menu.
- Open Steam again.
- Open PUBG.
Run PUBG with Admin rights
Games generally do not need to be run with admin rights but the “failed to initialize STEAM” error may indicate a problem with permissions. If you’ve recently updated PUBG, you may have to first run the game with admin rights to get rid of this error.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\TslGame\Binaries\Win64
- Right-click the game’s EXE file and select Run as administrator.
Note: If you’ve installed PUBG to a different drive i.e., not the C drive, you will need to edit the path given above to reflect the drive you’ve installed the game in.
Verify file integrity
The “failed to initialize STEAM” error may indicate a problem with the game i.e., PUBG’s files. Steam can find what’s wrong with the files, download fresh files, and perform an in-place fix.
- Open Steam.
- Go to Library.
- Right-click PUBG in the column on the left and select Properties from the context menu.
- Go to the Local Files tab.
- Click the Verify integrity of game files button.
- Allow Steam to fix the files and then open the game.
Open in Windowed mode
Set the launch options for PUBG to Windowed mode.
- Open Steam.
- Go to Library.
- Right-click PUBG in the column on the left and select Properties.
- Go to the General tab.
- In the Launch options field, enter -windowed.
- Restart the game.
Reinstall Steam and PUBG
If all else fails, you can reinstall both Steam and PUBG. Doing so will fix problems with both.
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Programs>Uninstall a program.
- Select PUBG and click the Uninstall button.
- Select Steam and click the Uninstall button.
- Once the uninstall for both items is complete, download and install Steam.
- Once Steam has been installed, download PUBG.
Conclusion
PUBG tends to run into errors now and then. They’re common after a major game update. There are basic fixes you can try like the file integrity check but if they fail, a fresh install is often the best, and most reliable solution. PUBG is an online game so you don’t have to worry about backing up your progress or losing it.
