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 purchases stuck on working.
Experiencing a purchase transaction that is stuck on “Working” can be a frustrating hurdle when you’re eager to get back to gaming on Steam.
It’s an issue that can occur for various reasons. However, you are not alone in this! In this blog, we have provided several troubleshooting steps that you can take to resolve this problem and ensure your transaction completes successfully.

What Causes Steam To Purchase Stuck On Working?
When you encounter a situation where your Steam purchase is stuck on the “Working” status, several possible factors could be at play. It is crucial to identify these to find the correct approach to resolve the issue.
1. Payment Has Been Declined
Occasionally, purchases are not successful because your payment method has been declined. This can result from insufficient funds, incorrect card details, or a card that doesn’t support online transactions.
2. Pending Transactions
A common cause for this error is previously pending transactions. An earlier purchase may block subsequent purchases if it hasn’t been cleared or confirmed.
3. Steam Server Issues
Server outages on Steam’s end can also lead to transactions being stuck. If the servers are down, all transaction processing will halt until they are operational again.
4. Network Issues
Another reason could be network-related issues. Local network problems such as unstable internet connections might interrupt communication with Steam servers during the purchase process.
5. Too Many Attempts
After several unsuccessful attempts to make a purchase, Steam may temporarily disable further attempts to prevent fraudulent activities.
6. VPN Interference
Using a VPN can lead to a transaction freeze if Steam detects the IP inconsistency or if the VPN interferes with the transaction’s security protocols.
How To Fix Steam Purchase Stuck On Working?

To fix the Steam purchase stuck on working, check the Steam’s servers status, and verify your payment method. Additionally, you should consider disabling VPN services that might interfere with the purchase process on Steam.
1. Cancel Pending Transactions
- Go to your Steam launcher.
- Click on Account details.
- Choose View purchase history and look for any transactions with a “Pending” status.
- Click on Cancel this transaction if applicable.
2. Verify Steam Payment Method
- Confirm that your payment method is valid.
- Some cards require authorization for international transactions, which applies if Steam’s merchant bank is in a different country. So, ensure that international usage is enabled. To verify that your Steam account has the correct country of residence listed which can be found in Steam > Settings > Account.
3. Disable VPN Or Proxy
If you’re using a VPN or proxy service, disable it. Steam might block transactions from certain regions.
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.
4. 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.
5. Check Steam Servers
Occasionally, Steam servers may be down. You can check the Steam Server status to see if there are any known issues.

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.
6. Repair Steam Service
Repairing the Steam service can be an effective fix if your Steam purchase is stuck on “Working.” This process involves running a command that forces Steam to repair its service, which can resolve issues with files that may have become corrupted or are not properly configured.
Here’s how you can perform this fix:
- On your PC, press
Win + R
to open the Run dialog. - Type
cmd
to open the Command Prompt. - In the Command Prompt, type
C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\bin\\Steamservice.exe /repair
- Press
Enter
and let the command execute.
7. Try Using Different Web Browser
Sometimes, using a different web browser than the usual one might help. So, use a different web browser and try to complete your purchase through it.
- Open a different web browser that you have installed on your computer. For instance, using Microsoft Edge instead of Google Chrome.
- Navigate to the Steam website and log in to your account.
- Attempt to make the purchase again within the new browser.
8. Contact The Steam Support Team

If these steps don’t help, reaching out to Steam Support may be your best next step. They can provide more personalized assistance for your issue.