Steam users sometimes encounter Error Code -21 when trying to access the Store, Market, or Friends network. This error prevents Steam from loading web pages due to network issues or corrupted cache data. Let’s explore several effective methods to resolve this frustrating problem.
Step 1: Restart Steam and your computer. This simple action can often clear up temporary glitches causing the error.
Close Steam completely by right-clicking the Steam icon in your system tray and selecting “Exit”. Then restart your computer. After rebooting, launch Steam again to see if the error persists.
Step 2: Clear Steam’s web browser and download cache.
Corrupted cache data is a common culprit behind Error Code -21. Here’s how to clear it:
1. Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings.
2. In the Settings window, click on the “Web Browser” tab.
3. Click the “Delete Web Browser Cache” button.
4. Next, go to the “Downloads” tab.
5. Click the “Clear Download Cache” button.
6. Restart Steam after clearing both caches.
Step 3: Power cycle your router.
Network glitches can sometimes cause Error Code -21. To reset your network:
1. Turn off your router and modem.
2. Unplug both devices from power for about 30 seconds.
3. Plug them back in and wait for them to fully restart.
4. Once your internet connection is restored, try Steam again.
Step 4: Disable the Integrated Network Card (NIC).
Some users have reported that disabling the integrated NIC resolves the issue:
1. Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on “Change adapter settings”.
3. Right-click on the Ethernet adapter and select “Disable”.
4. Restart Steam to see if the error is resolved.
Note: This step will not affect your Wi-Fi connection.
Step 5: Change your Steam download region.
Switching to a different download region can sometimes bypass network issues:
1. In Steam, go to Steam > Settings > Downloads.
2. Use the dropdown menu to select a different download region.
3. Click “OK” and restart Steam.
Step 6: Update your DNS settings.
Changing to a public DNS server can improve connectivity:
1. Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on “Change adapter settings”.
3. Right-click your active network connection and select “Properties”.
4. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”.
5. Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
6. Enter 8.8.8.8 for the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server (Google’s public DNS).
7. Click “OK” to save changes.
Step 7: Update your network drivers.
Outdated network drivers can cause connectivity issues. To update them:
1. Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
2. Expand the “Network adapters” section.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver”.
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
5. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, check the manufacturer’s website for the latest version.
After trying these steps, restart Steam and attempt to access the Store or Community features again. If you’re still experiencing Error Code -21, it may be worth contacting Steam Support for further assistance.
With these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve Steam Error Code -21 and get back to enjoying your games and Steam community features.