Steam_api.dll is a Dynamic Link Library file developed by the Valve Corporation, its pertinent to mention that piece of data is an essential part of Steam client. Due to this file, one is able to play numerous games on this platform. Like other DLL files these files, it contains codes and instructions which is used by several programs. Also, it saves space and makes it handy to update and maintain software.
Furthermore, the codes available in these files allow games and other software on the Steam platform to communicate with the Steam application. It’s noteworthy to mention, due to this file the user is able to access its features like multiplayer functionality and achievements.
If this file is missing, the users will not be able to launch games or use any of the features seamlessly. Without this file, if the users attempt to run the games, they won’t be able to do the same and they get prompted with an error message which states “Steam_api dll is missing.”
Well this error simply signifies that the file is either missing from the expected directory or is corrupted. But it’s imperative to mention sometimes users face the trouble despite the file is available in the expected directory. These factors may include outdated Operating System, Issues with Steam Platform itself, issues in the Registry, malware attack and overprotectiveness of Anti-Virus Software.
Although the issue is extremely annoying and discouraging but thankfully there are some tried and tested methods to fix the error. You can try the below mentioned methods one by one to get past the situation.
Try these Methods to Bypass Steam_api.dll not found
Method 1: Update Steam
In the first method we suggest you to update Steam and then your Windows to the latest version. It will clear all the glitches from Steam and OS. To proceed follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: First of all launch Steam and click on Steam at the top left corner > Now tap on Check for Steam Client Updates
Step 2: Steam will look for updates and if there is any, click on Download to install it.
Method 2: Copy the same file from another computer
You can also try copying the missing files from another computer provided another computer should run the same OS as your PC does and has same game installed.
Once you met the above mentioned two conditions, follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: On the other PC, open File Explorer, using Windows key + E key together, after that navigate to the folder where Steam is installed. (By default, it is C:Program FilesSteam).
Step 2: Then type in “steam_api64.dll” in the search box
Step 3: Copy the steam_api64.dll file and paste it to a flash driver or an external hard drive.
Points to Remember: You should check the location of the file you select and ensure it is in the directory of the game. And you should also memorize the location, as you will need to paste the file to the exactly same location on your PC.
Step 4: On your PC go to where your Steam is installed, then paste the file to the same location as where you copied the file on the other PC. Once done then try to start the game.
Method 3: Reinstall the Game
In this method we recommend you to reinstall the game. To do so follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Click Library on your Steam >Right-click your game, then click Uninstall
Step 2: Click Delete
Step 3: Click STORE, then search the game you’ve deleted > click Play Now
Step 4: Now follow the –on-screen instructions to download and install the game
Method 4: Restore DLL files from Recycle Bin
If you have mistakenly deleted the Steam.dll file from its original source, we suggest you to restore it.
Here’s how:
Step 1: On your PC, open the Recycle Bin >search for files like Steam.dll, Steam2.dll; steamclient.dll; steamclient64.dll and right-click on it.
Step 2: Now click on Restore
Step 3: Once done launch Steam and see if the issue resolved or not
Method 5: Verify the Integrity of Game files
Steam platform has an in-built feature using which you can check the integrity of the files. If it finds an incongruity, it will repair the files. To proceed follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Navigate to your Library >Right-click on the problematic game and choose Properties
Step 2: Go to Installed Files and click Verify integrity of game files
Step 3: Now wait till the scan is finished and try to launch the game again
Method 6: Run SFC Scan
You can also run Windows in-built utility tool to repair your corrupted system files. To proceed follow the below mentioned steps:
Step 1: Use the Windows key >type in Command Prompt in the search bar and press Enter
Step 2: Now right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator >in the command prompt window type in sfc/scannow and press Enter key
Step 3: Now wait till the scan completes and see if the issue resolved or not
Method 7: Re-register Steam api file
In this method we suggest you to re-register the Steam api file, to proceed use the following steps:
Step 1: Use Windows keys and search for Command Prompt > choose Run as administrator
Step 2: In the Command window, type in regsvr32 STEAM_API.DLL and press Enter
Step 3: Once the commands has been executed, restart the PC and launch Steam
Method 8: Turn off Real-time Protection
Several users have claimed that disabling the real-time protection feature in Windows Security before launching the Steam Client resolved their issue. You can also try the same.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Use Windows + I keys to open the Settings > Choose Privacy & Security from the left sidebar and then the Windows Security option from the right
Step 2: Now choose the Virus and threat protection option
Step 3: Follow the Manage Settings located in the Virus and threat protection settings section
Step 4: Now toggle off the switch under Real-time Protection section
Note: If you have third-party Antivirus installed on your PC, we suggest you to disable it too until the issue get resolved.
Method 9: Install DirectX
It’s pertinent to mention that some games require specific versions of DirectX o function properly, so we suggest you to install its latest version. To proceed follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Navigate to the official Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer download page > download the setup file to your PC
Step 2: Once the download is complete, open the setup file> Now follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version DirectX
Step 3: Complete the installation and restart your PC > after restarting, launch Steam and try to run the game again
Method 10: Reinstall Steam
If you are still struggling with steam_api dll is missing, we recommend you to reinstall Steam Client. To do so follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Open the Control Panel and under Programs, select Uninstall a Program > Right-click on Steam and then click on Uninstall
Step 2: Now follow the on-screen instructions >once uninstalled, open This PC navigate to Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) >Delete the Steam folder
Step 3: After that go to the steam official website, click on INSTALL STEAM, follow the on-screen instructions> Once done, LOGIN to your Steam account
Go for an Automatic Solution
If you don’t have that much time to try the above mentioned methods one by one to fix the error. In such scenario, considering the time we suggest you to use automatic PC Repair Tool to scan your system files. This tool is specifically designated to resolve the error originated due to system corruption. It is capable to fix DLL Errors, Registry Errors and BSOD Errors as well. Besides it will optimize your PC for maximum performance.
⇑Get PC Repair Tool from Here⇓
Final Thoughts
These were some of the effective measures to resolve steam_api dll is missing, we really hope you liked the article and you managed to get past the error.
