7 Effective Solutions for Steam Guard Code Not Showing

Steam Guard is a 2FA (two-factor authentication) app developed by Steam itself. However, some users are encountering an issue where Steam Guard is not displaying the 2FA code, preventing them from signing in to their Steam account on their desktop. In this article, we will explore seven effective solutions to troubleshoot this problem.

Before We Begin

Let's start with some common troubleshooting steps to fix the Steam Guard code error. If you have already tried these steps, you can move on to the next solution.

  • Close Steam on Windows or macOS and relaunch it.
  • Close the Steam Guard app on Android or iOS and open it again.
  • Update Steam and Steam Guard apps on your desktop and mobile devices.
  • Reboot your desktop and mobile devices.

Solution 1: Check Email

Many users may not be aware that Steam also sends the 2FA code via email. If you haven't received the code via email, add “support@steampowered.com” and “noreply@steampowered.com” to your contacts. Also, check your spam folder as the Steam Guard code email may take up to 30 minutes to arrive.

Solution 2: Use Backup Codes

During the setup process of the Steam Guard app, you were asked to note down backup codes. These backup codes are one-time 2FA codes that you can use in case of emergencies, such as when Steam Guard fails to display the code. If you have access to your backup codes, use one of them until you figure out why Steam Guard is not generating or showing codes.

Solution 3: Check If the Server Is Down

Steam has faced server issues in the past. You can check Steam's server status on websites like Steam Status or Downdetector. These websites track the status of various popular apps and services, including Steam. It is likely that the servers are down if you run into Steam sign in problems.

Solution 4: Update Date and Time

Check the date and time settings on your computer and smartphone where you have installed Steam and the Steam Guard app, respectively. Ensure that the date and time are correct and set to your current location.

Solution 5: Clear Cache on Desktop and Mobile

Steam's clear cache option can resolve several common errors and bugs related to Steam Guard. Before proceeding, keep in mind that clearing the cache will log you out of both Steam and the Steam Guard app.

To clear the cache on Windows and macOS, navigate to the Steam folder on your computer and delete all files inside the following folders:

  • SteamSteamAppsdownloading
  • SteamSteamAppstemp
  • SteamSteamAppsworkshopdownloads
  • SteamSteamAppsworkshoptemp
  • Steamappcache

To clear the cache on Android, open the App Drawer, find the Steam app, long-press on the app icon, select Info or i icon, and then select Storage. Tap on Clear data and Clear cache to delete all saved data on your device.

Solution 6: Use the Flush Command

If you can see the code on your smartphone but it doesn't work when you sign in to your Steam account on Windows or macOS, you can use the flush command. This command checks the integrity of Steam's system files and replaces them if any issues are found.

  • Windows: Close the Steam app, open the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find all Steam-related tasks under the Processes tab, right-click on them, and select End task. Press Windows+R to open the Run prompt, type the command “steam://flushconfig”, and press Enter. Wait for the command to finish running, then reboot your computer and launch Steam from the installation folder.
  • macOS: Open the Safari browser, copy and paste the command “steam://flushconfig” into the address bar, and press Enter.

Solution 7: Transfer Steam Guard to a Spare Phone

If you have a spare Android or iOS phone, you can transfer Steam Guard to that device. Install the Steam app on your spare phone, sign in, and when prompted for the 2FA code, select “Please help, I no longer have access to my Mobile Authenticator codes.” Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Steam and Steam Guard on the new phone.

By following these solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue of Steam Guard not displaying the 2FA code. Remember to ensure that your Steam account is properly set up to avoid encountering this problem in the future.