How To Fix Steam Payment Not Working

If you’re an avid gamer, you’re probably familiar with Steam – the popular digital distribution platform for video games.

However, sometimes you may encounter issues with Steam payment not working. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to purchase a new game or DLC.

In this guide, we’ll explore some common reasons why Steam payment may not work and provide solutions to fix the issue.

What Causes Steam Payment Not To Work?

When you encounter issues with Steam payments, several factors might be at play. Below are common reasons your payment might not be going through:

1. Payment Method Errors

Your card details or PayPal account might have incorrect information, or they may have expired. Ensuring that all information is up to date is essential.

2. Insufficient Funds

Check to see if your account has enough balance to cover the transaction, as insufficient funds will prevent the payment from processing.

3. Bank Restrictions

Sometimes, your bank may block transactions they deem unusual. This includes payments for online gaming platforms like Steam.

4. Connectivity Issues

A stable internet connection is paramount. Any interruptions can interfere with the transaction process.

5. Steam Server Downtime

Another potential reason could be server outages. When Steam’s servers are down, payment processing may be temporarily unavailable.

6. Conflicting VPN Services

Using a VPN can cause payment problems if there’s a location mismatch. Steam needs your payment method to match your store country setting.

7. Multiple Transaction Attempts

If you attempt a transaction too many times, Steam may lock you out temporarily to prevent fraudulent activity. Hence, this can also be a potential cause of the payment error on Steam.

How To Fix Steam Payment Not Working?

To fix the Steam payment not working, cancel any pending transactions and clear the Steam cache. Additionally, update your payment information, disable VPN software, and check the server status to solve payment issues.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

To check and ensure that your internet connection is stable and functioning properly, which can affect your ability to make payments on Steam, follow these detailed steps:

Restart Your Router/Modem

• Unplug your modem (and wireless router, if it’s a separate device) from power for 60 seconds.
• Plug in the modem, and wait until it has fully restarted. This is typically indicated by the lights on the device returning to a normal state.
• If you have a router, plug it in next and wait for it to restart.

Check for Wired Connections

If you’re using a wired connection, ensure that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both your computer and your modem or router.

Check for any visible damage to the cable, and try using a different cable if possible.

Run the Network Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
• Click on ‘Network troubleshooter’ and follow the prompts. The troubleshooter can find and fix issues with your connection.

Ping Test

• Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
• Type ping google.com and press Enter. This will send packets to Google’s servers.
• If you receive replies without packet loss, your internet is working. If there is packet loss or no response, there may be an issue with your connection

Check for ISP Issues

Sometimes, the problem might be on your Internet Service Provider’s end. Check their website for any service outage notifications or contact their customer service.

2. Disable VPNs

Some payment failures occur due to the use of VPNs or proxies that can disrupt transaction processes. Disable any such services and ensure your billing address matches the one on your bank statement.

To disable VPNs to solve Steam payment issues, follow these steps:

Option 1: Disable VPN Directly:

If you have VPN software running, open the application and look for a disconnect button or similar option to turn it off. Make sure it’s completely disabled, not just disconnected from a server.

Option 2: Disconnect from Settings:

• On your device, you can navigate to Settings, click on the “Network & Internet” icon, and there should be an option to turn it off.
• After disabling your VPN or proxy, restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect and any lingering network configurations are reset.
• Once you have confirmed that you are not connected to a VPN and your internet connection is stable, try the payment process on Steam again.

3. Wait For Some Time

Sometimes, the simplest solution is to wait for a while. This step can solve any bugs or technical glitches on the platform. So, you can wait for a few minutes, and then retry the purchase.

4. Restart The Steam Client

Restarting the Steam client can often resolve a variety of issues, including payment processing problems. 

Here are the concise steps to restart the Steam client:

• Close Steam: Click ‘Steam’ in the top-left corner and select ‘Exit’.
• End Background Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end any Steam-related processes.
• Restart Computer: Turn off your computer completely and then turn it back on.
• Reopen Steam: Double-click the Steam shortcut or find it in your Start menu/Applications folder.
• Retry Payment: Attempt your payment transaction again within the Steam client.

5. Cancel Pending Transactions

If you have any pending transactions, they could be blocking new purchases. Check your purchase history and wait for pending transactions to clear or cancel them if possible.

To cancel a pending transaction on Steam, follow these steps:

• Open Steam Client: Launch the Steam client on your computer.
• Access Account Details: Click on your profile name in the upper right corner, then select “Account details” from the drop-down menu.
• View Purchase History: In the account details section, find and click on “View purchase history” which will show you a list of all transactions.
• Identify Pending Transactions: Look for any transactions that are listed as “Pending.”
• Select Transaction: Click on the transaction that you wish to cancel.
• Cancel Transaction: If the transaction is eligible for cancellation, there will be an option to cancel it on the transaction details page. Follow the prompts to cancel the transaction.

6. Check Bank Authorization

Occasionally, banks flag transactions as unauthorized. To check bank authorization when facing payment issues on Steam, follow these steps:

• Ensure Sufficient Funds: Make sure you have enough funds in your account to cover the transaction, including any potential international transaction fees.
• Review Bank Statements: Check your bank statements or online banking to see if there are any failed transaction notices or pending charges from Steam.
• Contact Your Bank: Reach out to your bank’s customer service. You can usually find their contact information on the back of your card, on your bank statement, or through the bank’s official website.

7. Clear Steam’s Download Cache

Sometimes, clearing the download cache in Steam can resolve issues. To do that, follow these basic steps:

In the Steam client, navigate to:

• Open Steam > Settings.
• Select Downloads.
• Click on “Clear Download Cache”.

8. Update Payment Information

Ensure your payment details are correct and up to date. Keep the following points in mind.

• If your credit card has been declined, it might be due to the bank or card issuer. You may need to contact them, or you could use an alternate payment method or purchase a Steam Wallet card from a physical retailer.
• Also, verify that your Steam account has the correct country of residence listed which can be found in Steam > Settings > Account.

9. Check Steam Server Status

Ensure that Steam’s services are running normally. If there’s a technical issue on Steam’s end, it could affect transactions.

Use a third-party service like Steam DB Check for any outages or notices of maintenance that could affect Steam’s functionality, including payment processing.

If there is a reported outage or maintenance, you may need to wait until Steam has resolved the issue.

Other users might have similar issues. Find shared solutions in Steam Community forums.

10. Contact The SteamSupport Team

If these steps do not resolve your issue, seek help from Steam’s customer service for a detailed resolution. Remember to include relevant details such as your Steam account, error messages, and transaction details when requesting support.