The Steam error code E20 seems to affect users when they try to log into Steam, telling them “Something went wrong trying to log you in”. Some have also encountered this when trying to access the store.
It can be a frustrating obstacle when trying to hop onto the client to browse titles, play the latest version, or team up with your friends destiny 2 or Counterstrike: GO. If you have encountered error code E20, ask yourself if there is a solution.
What is Steam Error Code E20?
The Steam error code E20 appears to be either an authentication error or a network error due to an unstable internet connection or timeout. As with any issue of this nature, it could be a server-side error due to maintenance or Steam server issues. If that’s the case, there’s not much to do other than wait and see.
Is there a solution to the Steam error code E20?
Of course, there’s always a chance you have a problem too. It’s best to try and do some troubleshooting to make sure it’s Steam and not your setup. It’s important to note that there seem to be a variety of ways to “fix” this error code, and some users are having more success than others.
keep an eye out Steam downdetector page to see if there are any problems with the service.
Check the status of your internet connection
This is the troubleshooting method when you cannot connect any Service, including Steam. It’s possible that your connection was temporarily lost, that it was completely lost, or that your ISP is currently having problems.
Go to your Control Panel (PC) or Settings (Mac) to check your network connections. You can also look at your taskbar on PC or menu bar on Mac. Finally, you can also check with your ISP to see if there are any outages in your area.
Check your firewall and antivirus settings
It’s always possible that your firewall or antivirus settings are preventing you from accessing Steam and throwing the E20 error code. Firewall settings are found in the System and Security menu on PC and in the Network section of the Settings menu on Mac.
These issues can occur if you’ve recently updated Steam, which seems to happen all the time these days. So, it’s worth checking if you’re encountering the E20 error. valve has Complete troubleshooting guidelines for tweaking firewall permissions worth reading over.
Excluding Steam from your antivirus software can be a bit more complicated, depending on which program you’re using. You’ll need to consult the troubleshooting FAQ for your specific program to learn more.
However, if you simply use Windows DefenderDo the following:
- Go to Virus & Threat Protection
- Then scroll down the page and click on “Virus & Threat Protection”.
- Click on “Manage settings”
- Click on ‘Exclusions’ (bottom of page)
- Select “Add or Remove Exclusions”
- Select “Yes” when the popup appears
- Click Add Exclusion
- Choose file”
- Select “Steam.exe”.
Other Possible Fixes for Error Code E20
There are a few other methods you can try if the above didn’t work.
- Clear your Steam cache
- Make sure Steam is up to date
- Restart Steam
- Close Steam completely
- Reboot/disconnect your router
- Switch IP addresses
- Try a different VPN or turn off your VPN
- Restart your computer
Encountering Steam Error E20 can be a real pain in the neck, but hopefully one of the fixes above resolved the issue and got you back into the client.
