Fixes for Steam Friends Network Unreachable Error

By | January 22, 2024

Fixes Steam Friends Network Unreachable

If you are using Steam and get an error saying “Friends Network Unreachable”, there can be several causes of it.

This seems to be an ongoing problem with Steam chat that causes an error for many users.

Before doing any fix, be sure to restart your computer as most know this can often clear many errors.

If you have already restarted your computer, below are some of the most common fixes, along with more advanced fixes.

Fixes for Steam Friends Network Unreachable Error

  • Clear Steam Cookies and Cache
  • Clearing the cookies and the cache often clears the error.

    It is quick and easy to do from within the Steam settings.

    How to Clear Cache and Delete Browser Cookies in Steam

    1. At the top left Click Steam
    2. Clear Steam Cookies in Browser Step 1

    3. Click Settings
    4. Clear Steam Cookies in Browser Step 2

    5. Click Web Browser
    6. Clear Steam Cookies in Browser Step 3

    7. Click Delete Web Browser Cache and Delete All Browser Cookies
    8. Clear Steam Cookies in Browser Step 4

     

  • Add -TCP Launch Parameter
  • Adding a special launch parameter command changes the way an app starts or the protocols it uses.

    One such older protocol called TCP is an old standard for messaging online.

    TCP has been known to cause issues at times and can be stopped from running.

    Steam chat does not use the TCP protocol, so stopping it from running can solve the problem for some users.

    How to Add the -TCP Launch Parameter to Steam

    1. If Steam is open close it
    2. Right Click the Steam desktop Icon and Select Properties
    3. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 1

    4. Inside the box named Target go to the end of the string and add a space
    5. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 2

    6. Add the command -TCP at the end
    7. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 3

    8. Click Apply
    9. Click Continue
    10. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 5

    11. Click OK
    12. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 6

    13. Launch Steam and test it

     

  • Run Steam as Administrator
  • Steam Friends Network Unreachable Run Steam as Administrator
    Running Steam as Admin can clear many errors as it gives permissions that otherwise are not available.

    To run Steam as Admin right-click the desktop icon and select Run as Administrator.

    For Steam to automatically always run as admin follow these steps.

    How to Automatically Run Steam as Administrator

    1. If Steam is open close it
    2. Right Click the Steam desktop Icon and Select Properties
    3. Steam Friends Network Unreachable TCP Fix Step 1

    4. Click the Compatibility Tab
    5. Steam Friends Network Unreachable Run Steam as Administrator Step 3

    6. Select Run as Administrator
    7. Click Apply
    8. Click OK and test Steam

     

  • Check Windows Firewall
  • The windows firewall may be blocking some ports from working causing issues.

    This can be quickly checked by temporarily turning off the firewall testing and then turning the firewall back on.

    How To Check Steam Firewall Settings

    1. In the Windows search bar type in Firewall and select Windows Defender Firewall
    2. Steam Friends Network Unreachable Firewall

    3. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off
    4. Steam Friends Network Unreachable Firewall 2

    5. Select the box to turn off the Firewall and click OK
    6. Steam Friends Network Unreachable Firewall 3

    7. Test if Steam works (Don’t forget to turn the firewall back on when done)

     

  • Flush DNS and Winsock Reset
    1. At the bottom left search box, type in CMD
    2. Fixes for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 1

    3. Right-Click CMD and select Run as Administer
    4. Fixes for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 2

    5. Inside the Command Box, Type Ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
    6. Fixes for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 3

    7. Next, Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter
    8. Fixes for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 4

    9. Type Exit and press Enter to close the Command Box
    10. Fixes for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 5

    11. Power Restart the computer
    12. How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Poer Restart

     

  • Change DNS Server
    1. At the bottom left search box type in Control Panel and select it
    2. Click Network and Internet
    3. Click Network and Sharing Center
    4. Click Change adapter settings
    5. How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 2

    6. Right Click on Ethernet and select Proprieties
    7. How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 3

    8. Select and highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP /IPv4)
    9. Click on the Properties tab
    10. How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 5

    11. Select the box, Use the following DNS server address
    12. \
      How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Step 6

    13. Set Preferred DNS Server to: 1.1.1.1
    14. Set Alternate DNS Server to: 1.0.0.1
    15. When done press OK and close out of the boxes and Power Restart
    16. How To Fixe for A Ubisoft Service is Currently Unavailable Poer Restart

Summary
If you are using Steam chat and get a friends network unreachable error, it can no-doubt be very frustrating.

The first thing to do is restart your computer, which, as most know, often solves errors.

Next, clear the cache and delete the browser cookies which seems to fix the problem for many users.

Adding the launch parameter -TCP also often works as it is not used by Steam and can cause conflicts.

More advanced fixes include Flush DNS and Winsock Reset, along with changing the DNS Server.

Have you had a problem with Steam chat error friends network unreachable? Let us know in the comments below.

 




 

One thought on “Fixes for Steam Friends Network Unreachable Error

  1. John

    Hi, i do not normally post into any online forums, but given that this issue of steam “friends not reachable” has caused considerable angst in our household for a number of weeks and I have trolled everywhere and tried all of the above offerings (do try these legit options first) without success – here is the solution that fixed it for us and it is not Steam! Note: This fixed two of our Windows 7 PC, not tried or tested on any other OS.
    I am an x-PC tech but this fix is courtesy of my PhD computer scientist son.(I have tried to add to his cryptic instructions!)
    Background: The CA root certificate expired on 1 October and while most of the time, it would automatically be updated, it seems on some Windows OS it didn’t happen. The process is quite simple but if you are a PC novice, please take advice and get help before proceeding with any of the following:
    First, download a new ISRG Root X1 root certificate as a self-signed Der file (from: “https://letsencrypt.org/certificates/” )
    1. open cmd as admin (right click cmd, run as administrator)
    2. inetcpl.cpl (type it in and press enter – just a shortcut way to open “internet properties” in your IE)
    3. content -> certificates -> trusted root certification authorities -> import (click each)
    3a browse to where you stored the isrgrootx1.der file you downloaded (change selection to “all files” to see it), select and click open
    4. click Next -> Next -> Finish
    5, close Certificates
    5. click clear ssl state/reboot
    Enjoy your friends network again on Steam!
    Regards John – Auckland, NZ
    PS. If this worked for you, please feel free to post to other forums and help other gamers out please.

    Reply

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