Solving the steam_api.dll Missing Issue

Featured article by Amelie Blanche, Independent Technology Author

Usually this error is faced by the gamers – people who have installed Steam games and now cannot launch them. But you won’t encounter it if you play games in a browser, for example casino 20 free spins. Usually, this happens when you try to launch not licensed games, however, the problem still need to be solved.

As a rule, you need to start from finding a good source to download steam_api.dll from as you need the original file without modifications.

Information About the steam_api.dll

You should know that this file is used to check licensing and update games, it also provides network battles on the Steam servers. The Steam library is automatically placed during the installation of games which support Steam.

The steam_api.dll missing error in 99% of cases appears in games which have been downloaded from torrents and were modified to repacks. However, that doesn’t mean the game has virus – it is the common mistake that appears due to the incompatibility of some elements in the modified game and the library.

So, let’s disclose the ways to solve the problem.

steam_api.dll Blocked by Antivirus

Sometimes the file is just okay and the reason the error is appeared is the fact it is blocked by antivirus.

To solve the issue you only need to add this file to the exceptions of an antivirus and then the antivirus won’t define the file as a virus. And if you installed a game from a license disk, and the antivirus defines the steam_api.dll file as dangerous you need to check your computer for viruses as it is likely the the library was modified after it was installed on your PC.

steam_api.dll Was Not Installed or Recognized on Your PC

Sometimes the steam_api.dll file is not installed on your PC it is not recognized due to the errors that took place during the installation. To provide proper launch of games it is necessary to place this file in the necessary folder. You need to download the steam_api.dll file from the reputable website and choose a right folder to place it.

The place of installation depends on the Windows version you have. If it is a x32 Windows you need to place the  downloaded file in the system folder: С:\Windows\System32.

And if it is the x64  system then open the folder: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\. You can find out the OS version in My Computer – Properties window.

Usually you can find that the steam_api.dll file is placed in the game folder when the game is installed. In such a case it would be a good idea to paste the file in the game folder – just replace the old one with the one you have downloaded.

After all manipulations it is necessary to press a Win+R keys on your folder or to open Start menu and press the Runbutton. You will have to open the command line (enter “cmd” without quotes) and then enter the regsvr steam_api.dll command in terminal.

About the Author

Amelie Blanche is an online journalist from Hawaii whose main interests are internet-freedom, cyber-security, and social media marketing. Studying marketing at Honolulu Community College and previously working as a content-manager for SafeNetHonolulu, she created her own blog about Internet privacy. Through simply-written articles, Amelie teaches residents of Hawaii about Internet security tools and how to use them for playing games or browsing the Net.