Fix Steam Error Code 51 on Windows 10
When you launch your game through Steam, sometimes you may encounter Steam error code 51 along with the "Could not launch game" error message. This is a common error that occurs in all games like Skyrim or Dota. This error code 51 issue most often occurs on your PC when you are running an outdated version of Steam and an outdated game. If this has happened to you, you are in the right place! We offer the perfect guide to help you solve the problem under discussion.
How to Fix Steam Error Code 51 on Windows 10
If you are annoyed by Steam error code 51 on your Windows 10 PC, here are a few possible reasons why you should analyze them thoroughly in order to resolve the issue.
- The PC does not meet the basic requirements of the game and you are using the administrative version of Steam.
- Some other background program is interfering with the game.
- You are using an unverified driver version.
- The game's graphics settings are incorrectly configured.
- The presence of malware and viruses.
- The .NET platform and operating system have not been updated to the latest version.
- The DirectX version is not up to date.
- Overclocking
- Any misconfigured or corrupted game installation files also cause the problem.
- The Microsoft C++ Redistributables are not compatible with the game and PC.
Here are a few possible troubleshooting methods to help you fix your error code 51 problem. Follow them as shown in the same order, and if you're lucky, you might be able to find a solution to your problem within the first few steps!
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods
Before trying any other troubleshooting methods, apply a few basic methods that will help you fix the error code in a few simple clicks.
1A. stop overclocking
Every high-end computer comes with an overclocking feature that helps put out more power than your specs you already have. Running a graphics card or processor faster than the default speed is referred to as overclocking. When this happens, your computer will reach its maximum temperature after a certain amount of time. The computer detects this and adjusts the clock speed to normal until it cools down. The clock speed increases again after they cool down. This increases the performance of your computer and helps a lot if you don't have a powerful computer.
1B. Close unwanted background processes
Several background processes running on your PC may be interfering with Steam processes. These programs can contribute to Error Code 51 on a Steam release. Follow our guide How to end a task in Windows 10 to quit all background processes.
1C: Change Steam game priority
The preference of an application or process tells the computer its importance and whether it should be given priority over others when allocating resources. The priority of each application is normal, except for the default system processes. Steam may throw up some error codes if it runs out of resources.
1. Select "Task Manager" by right-clicking on the taskbar.
2. Now find the Steam process.
3. Then change the priority to High priority and check if it works.
Note. Change the priority with great care, as inadvertently changing the priority of a process can make your system very slow or unstable.
4. Close the task manager, restart your computer and check if the problem in question is resolved.
1D: Set High Performance
You can also optimize your game by setting your high performance power plan options. These power plans are designed to manage power settings in portable devices. Follow the instructions below to use the high performance power plan settings on your computer.
1. Press Windows Key + I at the same time to open Windows Settings.
2. Now scroll down the list and click System Settings.
3. Now select the Power and Sleep option and click on Advanced Power Options under Related Options.
4. Now, select the High Performance option under High Optional Plans as shown in the image below.
Now you have optimized your system, check if you understand how to fix Steam error code 51.
Similarly, it is always important that your game is running on the latest version to avoid any conflicts. Until your game is updated, you will not be able to successfully log into the game servers. To update your game, follow the steps below.
1. Launch the Steam application and go to the LIBRARY.
2. Now press HOME and search for your game.
3. Next, right-click on the game and select the "Properties..." option.
4. Now go to the UPDATES tab and check if any updates are pending. If so, follow the on-screen instructions to download the latest updates.
After updating, check if the error code in question is fixed on Steam.
1F: disable full screen optimization
Few users have suggested that disabling Full Screen Optimization on PC helped them fix Steam Error Code 51. Follow along.
1. Launch Steam and click LIBRARY.
2. Now right click on any Steam game and select "Properties".
3. Now go to the "GENERAL" tab and click "SET LAUNCH OPTIONS..." as shown in the picture.
4. Now a new advanced user warning window will open. To open the game in windowed mode, enter the -window parameter.
5. Now save your changes by clicking OK and exit the properties window.
6. Now restart the game and make sure it is running in windowed mode. Otherwise, go to SET LAUNCH OPTIONS… again and enter the following options instead of the last option.
–windowed -w 1024
7. Now save your changes by clicking OK.
This option sets the game to run in windowed mode.
1G: Verify integrity of game files
We have seen many instances where game files are either missing, corrupted, or have incomplete installations. Users may also encounter Steam error code 51 if the game does not launch, if they are interrupted by the update process, or if the game files are being moved. In this method, you will open Steam and use the built-in game integrity checker. It will be replaced if the application finds something. Read our guide on how to verify the integrity of game files on Steam.
Note. You must follow the same steps if you are using other publishing software.
1 hour Update Windows
Also, if there are any errors on your PC, they can only be fixed after updating Windows. Microsoft releases regular updates to fix all these errors, thereby fixing Steam error code 51. Hence, make sure you have updated your Windows operating system and if there are any updates pending, use our guide How to download and install the latest Windows update 10.
After updating the Windows operating system, check if you can access the game without any problems.
Method 2: Run Steam as Administrator
Few users have suggested that by running Steam as an administrator, the Steam error code 51 can be resolved. So here are a few steps to run Steam as an administrator.
1. Right-click the Steam shortcut on your desktop.
2. Now click Properties.
3. In the Properties window, click the Compatibility tab.
4. Now check the Run this program as an administrator box.
5. Finally, click Apply > OK to save the changes.
Method 3: Reset Steam Configuration
You can try to resolve the Steam error code 51 using a Steam cleanup. You can follow the steps below to complete this method.
1. Completely exit the Steam client.
2. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
3. Enter steam://flushconfig and click OK.
4. On the context menu, click OK to confirm.
5. Now restart your computer.
6. Then open File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keys at the same time.
7. Navigate to the next location path.
C:program files (x86)Steam
8. Here, find the Steam or Steam.exe file and run it by logging in again.
Method 4: Update Steam
If you are using the legacy Steam app, you will not be able to access any of the games smoothly. So always make sure you are running an updated version of Steam and Steam games before launching it.
1. Press the Windows key and type Steam, then click Open.
2. Now click "Steam" in the top left corner of the screen and then "Check for Steam Client Updates..." as shown below.
3. If you have any new updates to download, install them and make sure your Steam client is up to date.
4. Now restart Steam.
Method 5: Update GPU drivers
Graphics drivers help heavy graphics and video applications simplify their tasks. If you encounter any conflicts when launching the game, make sure you are using updated device drivers as they act as a link between the hardware and your PC's operating system. Many users have suggested that a driver update solved how to fix Steam error code 51. Read and follow the steps in our guide 4 Ways to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 10 to do so.
Method 6: Roll back graphics driver updates
Sometimes the current version of graphics drivers can cause startup conflicts, in which case you need to restore the previous versions of the installed drivers. This process is called driver rollback and you can easily roll back your computer drivers to their previous state by following our guide How to roll back drivers in Windows 10.
Save your changes and check if you have a fix for error code 51.
Method 7: Reinstall the graphics driver
If you're still encountering Steam error code 51 after updating your GPU drivers, reinstall your device drivers to fix any incompatibility issues. You can easily reinstall your graphics drivers by following the instructions in our How to Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers in Windows 10 guide.
Method 8: Update the .NET Framework
The .NET platform on a Windows 10 PC is essential for the smooth running of modern apps and games. Many games have an auto-update feature for the .NET platform, so it will update automatically whenever an update is available. Otherwise, if you are prompted to update on your PC, you can manually install the latest version of the .NET framework as described below to fix Steam error code 51 on your Windows 10 PC.
1. Check for new updates for the .NET platform from the official Microsoft website .
2. If there are any updates, click the appropriate/recommended link and select the Download .NET Framework 4.8 Runtime option.
Note. Do not click "Download .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack" as it is used by software developers.
3. Go to My Downloads, double click the setup file to run the downloaded file, and follow the on-screen instructions to successfully install .NET Framework on Windows PC.
Method 9: Update DirectX
In order to enjoy a smooth media experience on Steam, you must ensure that DirectX is installed and updated to the latest version. DirectX helps improve the visual experience of multimedia, especially in graphical games and applications. Worth updating DirectX required for this game. Follow our guide on updating DirectX on Windows 10.
Note. Make sure "Verify WHQL Digital Signatures" is checked on the "System" tab, and on all tabs, check if "WHQL Logo" is set to "Yes".
Method 10: Temporarily disable your antivirus (if applicable)
Some incompatible antivirus programs installed on your computer will prevent you from deciding how to fix Steam error code 51. To avoid conflicts, you should verify the security settings of your Windows 10 computer and check if they are stable or not. To find out if the antivirus package is causing error code 51 on Steam, disable it once and try connecting to the network.
Read our guide on how to temporarily disable your antivirus in Windows 10 and follow the instructions to temporarily disable your antivirus program on your PC.
If you have a solution to your problem after disabling the antivirus program on your computer, then you are advised to completely uninstall the program from your PC. Read our guide on Force Removal of Programs That Won't Remove in Windows 10 to remove an antivirus program from your computer.
Method 11: Change Windows Defender Firewall settings
You will also encounter Steam error code 51, the game won't launch due to an overly reactive or overprotective antivirus package on your Windows 10 PC. This prevents the connection between the game launcher and the server. So, to fix this problem, you can whitelist Steam in your firewall settings or disable the problem temporarily.
Option I: Steam Whitelist
To allow Steam in Windows Defender Firewall, follow our guide Allow or block apps through Windows Firewall and follow the steps as instructed.
Option II: Turn off the firewall (not recommended)
If you don't know how to turn off Windows Defender Firewall, our How To Turn Off Windows 10 Firewall guide will help you with that.
Option III: Create a New Rule in the Firewall
1. Press the Windows key and type Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, then click Open.
2. Now in the left pane, click Inbound Rules as shown in the figure.
3. Then, in the right pane, click New Rule… as shown.
4. Now make sure you have selected the "Program" option under "What type of rule do you want to create?". menu and click "Next>" as shown in the figure.
5. Then click the "Browse..." button corresponding to the Path to this program: as shown.
6. Then navigate to the path C:Program Files (x86) Steam and double click on the installation file. Then click on the Open button.
7. Then click Next > in the New Inbound Rule Wizard window as shown in the figure.
8. Now select the radio button next to Allow the connection and click Next > as shown.
9. Make sure the Domain, Private, Public fields are selected and click Next > as shown.
10. Finally, add a name to the new rule and click Finish.
Done! Check if you have fixed error code 51 on Steam or not.
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We hope this guide was helpful and you were able to fix Steam error code 51 not starting on your Windows 10 PC. Let us know which method worked best for you. Feel free to contact us with your questions and suggestions through the comments section below.