People who use Steam game programs sometimes have a question what to do if steam_api.dll is missing.

The answer to it depends on the reasons for the disappearance of the library and even on whether your version is licensed or “pirated”. Although the options are actually few.

The popular Steam app originally served to distribute Valve products such as Counter Strike and .

Later, other software vendors joined the service, and the number of gaming programs grew to several thousand.

With the help of Steam, games can be updated, and interaction with them is carried out using the steam_api.dll file.

If for some reason errors occur with the library, the Steam application stops working, and software updates do not occur.

Solutions to the problem

There are only four ways to solve the problem with steam_api.dll:

  • If the cause is the action of an antivirus that detected malicious code in the file, it can be easily restored back;
  • If the library is completely absent in the folder, the games download it from the network;
  • Reinstalling the Steam client or the entire system;
  • System Restore.

Eliminate antivirus activity

You can find out that the library is blocked by the antivirus program installed on the computer by the message that it issues.

Most often this happens even during the installation of the game or when it is first launched.

Some libraries of a game downloaded from a pirated resource and received by the user for free may be perceived by an antivirus program as a Trojan network worm.

By placing the desired file in the exclusion list, you can continue to run the game application without any problems. And the antivirus will no longer respond to it.

Sometimes the addition is automatically prompted to the user, who can choose to either continue running the suspicious file or stop checking it.

When there is a problem with a licensed game, the cause is most likely a virus - but a real one. Malicious software can infect the file after the game is installed.

In this case, do one of the following:

  • "Cure" an infected library;
  • And, if treatment is impossible, restore all game files from the original source.

Regardless of the option you choose, you should definitely check your computer for viruses.

Since the problem with the licensed version of the game indicates a violation of system security.

Downloading the steam_api.dll file

In the event that the antivirus has nothing to do with problems with the library, or it has already been permanently deleted, the main way to restore the game's performance is to download the file and re-write it to the application folder.

It is worth noting that when downloading steam_api.dll, you must be careful, as viruses can get onto your computer along with the library.

Particularly dangerous are files downloaded as an archive using torrent trackers, where they can be changed or supplemented.

Moreover, sometimes, when downloading a library via a torrent, you may not get the desired file at all, instead of which there will be only viruses.

And even if steam_api.dll loaded and works normally, it is worth checking the system for virus code.

After downloading the library, it must be copied to the following folder:

  • С:\Windows\System32\ for 32-bit Windows operating system (from XP to 10th part, which also has a 32-bit version);
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ for 64-bit OS.
  • Call the command execution window (Ctrl + R);
  • Enter the command regsvr steam_api.dll;
  • Press "OK";
  • Restart your computer.

The method helps in 99% of cases, although sometimes problems may arise when starting the library.

Reinstalling Steam

One of the easiest and also often helpful ways to fix the problem with the steam_api library is to reinstall the Steam client.

For this you should:

  • Delete the old application first;
  • Clean the registry (for example, using the Ccleaner program), removing all Steam-related keys;
  • Reboot the system;
  • Re-download from the official Steam page and install on your computer.

System Restore

The last option that helps, even if your other actions did not restore access to one or more games, is to reinstall the entire system.

How to avoid problems when writing a file?

If steam_api.dll is already on the computer, and problems with launching a licensed game do not always occur and, perhaps, are not related to the library at all, it is worth considering the possibility of restoring it.

To do this, you can rename the old file, for example, to old_steam_api.dll, and only then write the new one just downloaded to the folder.

In the absence of a positive result, the game can be returned to its original state.

Sometimes there is a situation when the regsvr command is not executed. In this case, regsvr32 steam_api.dll is entered in the run window.

If this also did not help, it is worth checking whether the desired file is placed in the appropriate folder - most of the problems occur precisely because of inattention.

If it is impossible to start the game after overwriting steam_api.dll and the message Failed to initialize Steam appears, the game is launched with administrator rights.

Or they reinstall, saving the library in another place.

Results

Using one of these methods to restore the game or game client, the user usually gets the whole game.

If none of the options (even reinstalling the system) helped, then in the case of a “pirated” game, it is best to find other installation files, and with a licensed one, contact the manufacturer’s technical support.

How to fix steam_api.dll error (2 ways) works!

What to do if steam_api.dll is missing and can't start?

Then you probably could have encountered the error message "Missing steamapi.dll". This message may interfere with your plans to play on the computer. Fortunately, this problem is easy enough to fix. In this article, we will figure out what to do if “steamapi.dll is missing”. Let's get started. Go!

Steam utility is required to run games

If the file has been deleted, then try to restore it from the quarantine. If this does not help to fix the situation, reinstall the game, after disabling the antivirus. In the case of licensed versions, you will need to reinstall Steam itself. To do this, go to the Computer Control Panel and select the "Programs and Features" section. Find the corresponding line in the list and uninstall the program. Then download the utility separately, install and restart your computer.

Another way that can help fix the situation is to download Steamapi.dll separately. This file can be easily found on the Internet. Most importantly, do not download it from unverified or suspicious sites, as this is a direct way to infect the system with malware, which can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, if you are not sure of the source, it is better to use some other method.

If you did download this file, move it to the "sysWOW64" folder, which is located in the "Windows" partition on the system drive C. If you do not have this folder, try moving it to "System32". After that, use the Win + R key combination to open the Run window. In the input field, write regsvrsteam_api.dll. Reboot after done. If it doesn't help, try the same command, just write regsvr32 instead of regsvr.

Now you know how to install Steamapidll to get rid of the error. As you can see, it's pretty simple. Write in the comments whether this article was useful for you, share with other users your experience in solving a similar problem and ask any questions you have on the topic discussed.

Users often encounter startup errors computer games. One of these: missing steam_api.dll. What to do with such a malfunction, why it occurs and how to fix it, we will indicate in the article.

What is this file?

Steam_api.dll - dynamic library file. It is responsible for the communication between the launched game and the Steam client (the license is authenticated).

Users of both licensed and pirated content can face the lack of a Steam library file. The main reasons for the error:

  1. Deleting steam_api.dll by antivirus when trying to start the game.
    1. Pirated software changes the configuration of the file to bypass Steam protection. The anti-virus perceives the library as a virus and blocks/deletes it.
    2. If the blocking occurred with a licensed copy purchased on Steam, the file may have been modified by third-party malware. Check your PC for viruses and malware.
  2. Moving steam_api.dll from the game directory.
  3. Problems with the game itself (incorrect installation or update).
  4. Insufficient user rights.

Solutions

Advice! If the error just appeared and before that everything was working properly, use the system restore point to roll back Windows 10 to a working state.

On Steam

If the client starts, but a specific game is throwing an error, use the file recovery function. Log in to the Steam client:


Important! If you have installed custom modifications for the game, they will be deleted when you restore the cache.

If the Steam client does not start, gives an error, you will need to reinstall it:


In unlicensed games

After downloading the game from an unofficial source and running the .exe file, 95% of the culprit for the absence of steam_api.dll is the antivirus. The remaining 5% are not quality builds. In order for a file to be perceived as "safe", it must be added to the antivirus exclusion list. If you trust the program you are installing, do the following:


Fans of computer games often face such a problem: during the game, the system gives an error in the steam_api_ext_dll file. The text of the error in different operating systems may differ slightly, but this does not change the essence of the problem.

Often, an error occurs because the antivirus program identifies the file as a potential threat and moves it to Quarantine. This can happen when you install the game or during subsequent checks of the antivirus program. Often, an error in the steam_api.dll file appears when installing a game without a license.

Sometimes the error appears in licensed games. This often happens when the file is modified by the game.

The file steam_api.dll is blocked by an antivirus program

In this case, notifications will constantly pop up that the antivirus has perceived it as a threat and is blocking the file. You need to add the file to the list of exceptions of the antivirus program.

The most common is Windows Defender:

Now, the antivirus will ignore it. If you see this problem when installing a licensed game, you should check the entire computer with an antivirus program to determine if it is a virus or not.

If steam_api_ext_dll is removed

It is not uncommon for a file to be deleted by an antivirus program. Go to Quarantine, restore the file and add it to exclusions. If the problem persists, you will have to reinstall the game.

If the error appeared when trying to install a licensed game, please reinstall Steam. First copy "steam.exe" and "Steamapps". Then go to the Start menu and open the Toolbar.

If Windows XP is installed, then you need to select "Add or Remove Programs". If Win7 or Win8 is installed, go to "Programs" and select "Programs and Features". Next, select Steam and delete it. After you uninstall Steam, you need to reinstall it.

Another possible way fix the problem - download the required file and install it on your PC.

How to download a file?

On our site you can download the steam_api_ext_dll file for Dirt Rally, Total War Attila, PES 2016, Arma 3, Civilization Beyond Earth and others - for free and without registration. The file is compatible with operating systems Win7, Win8.1 and Win10.

How to install a file?

After downloading, copy the file to the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder for Win XP, Win7, Win8 (32 bit) or to the C:\Windows\SysWOW64 folder for Win XP, Win7, Win8 (64 bit).

Then register the file like this:

  • go to the "Start" menu, select "Run";
  • in the line of the new dialog box, enter "regsvr32 steam_api_ext_dll" and press the "Enter" key;
  • restart your computer.

After the file has been registered and the computer has been restarted, try restarting the game.

There are cases when, even after installing the file, it is not possible to fix the problem. Then you can correct the situation as follows. Find the game in the root directory. In the game folder, find the desired file and change its name to old_steam_api_ext_dll (old file). So the old file will be saved and will not be overwritten by the new one.

And if the new file does not solve the problem, it will allow you to restore the game to its original state. Then copy the downloaded file to the game folder and run the game. If the file works, the game will work; if not, you need to reinstall the game by disabling the antivirus.

Missing steam_api.dll file is a common error faced by many gamers. This file belongs to the well-known gaming service Steam, an online store for computer games. To start, Steam must interact closely with the steam_api.dll file, and often because of this, the notorious error comes out. Below we will try to figure out why it appears and how to solve it.

Causes of an error with the steam_api.dll file.

The most common thing that happens is that it takes the modified steam_api.dll file for a virus threat and places it in Quarantine. This can happen both during the installation of the game on the computer, and during the next antivirus check.

Moreover, the steam_api.dll file error can also appear on licensed games. Then the following text may appear: "The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library steam_api.dll", which means: "The procedure entry point was not found in the library steam_api.dll." This error occurs in most cases because the steam_api.dll file has been modified by a game.

Solving the problem of missing steam_api.dll.

There are several options for the problem, and, accordingly, several solutions:

1. Antivirus blocked steam_api.dll . If this happens, the antivirus will constantly notify you about the threat found and the blocked steam_api.dll file. Then put steam_api.dll in the antivirus exceptions. From now on, the antivirus program will ignore it. If you installed a licensed game, then you should think about why steam_api.dll was changed. The most common is that a virus has settled on your PC. Then turn on the antivirus in scan mode and check all local drives.

2. Steam_api.dll has been removed most likely an antivirus. Go to the "Quarantine" folder of your antivirus, restore steam_api.dll and add it to the exclusion list. If this does not work, then you should reinstall the game, after disabling the antivirus.

The task becomes more complicated if you used a licensed game. Then you need to reinstall Steam. You need to go to the C:\Program Files\Steam folder and copy the file steam.exe and folder "Steamapps" to save all data. Now hold down hotkeys on your keyboard Win+R, a window will appear in which you need to enter without quotes control panel and press Enter. The Toolbar window will open.

If your computer is running Windows XP, then your next step is to select Add or Remove Programs. For and 8, you need to go to "Programs", select "Programs and Features", in the window that opens, find Steam and delete it. After removal, Steam can be downloaded again from the official website.

3. And the third way to restore - download the missing file steam_api.dll . This method is recommended to be used last, because. downloading it from the Internet, you also risk getting a modified file, which can threaten the system. So, you have downloaded the file. Now it needs to be installed. To do this, you need to copy it:
Windows XP, 7, 8 32bit – to the System32 folder (usually C:\Windows\System32\).
Windows XP, 7, 8 64bit – to the SysWOW64 folder (respectively C:\Windows\SysWOW64\).

Download steam_api.dll for free

Now you need to press the keys Win+R, in a new window, type "regsvr steam_api.dll" without quotes and press Enter. It remains to restart the computer and try to start the game.


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