By Jerry Games 
Imagine this: you’re ready to relax after a long day, maybe dive into a multiplayer battle or finally finish that RPG you’ve been playing. You open Steam, hit launch, and bam, Steam Error Code E87 flashes on your screen. No warning, no explanation. Just a cold error message standing between you and your game.
Steam Error Code E87 is a login issue when Steam can’t connect to your account. This error usually appears if there’s a problem with Steam’s servers or your internet connection. It may also show up if your Steam client is outdated or your computer’s firewall is blocking Steam. To fix it, restart Steam, check your internet, and update the app. If the problem continues, try logging in later.
In this article, we will discuss “What Is Steam Error Code E87?”.
Table of Contents
Steam is more than just a program—it’s the heart of PC gaming for millions. Developed by Valve, Steam is a digital distribution service, a social hub, a marketplace, and even a cloud save system. Whether you’re buying new releases, chatting with friends, or modding games, Steam is the platform that makes it all possible.
Steam isn’t just a launcher—it handles licensing, multiplayer matchmaking, patch updates, and community support. This is why, when an error like E87 happens, it feels like your whole gaming system is stuck.
Steam uses error codes like E87 to help identify and isolate issues. These codes are meant to point developers (and tech-savvy users) in the right direction, but for most of us, they can seem like mysterious gibberish.
These errors can happen for a variety of reasons—maybe your internet dropped for a second, or perhaps Steam servers are under maintenance. Sometimes it’s your PC’s security software getting a little too protective. Either way, most errors like E87 are fixable without professional help.
Steam Error E87 generally refers to a problem authenticating your session. In simpler words, it means Steam couldn’t verify or process your login properly. It might be a timeout, a bug, or even a corrupted cache file that’s confusing the client.
You might see E87 when:
- Logging into your account
- Launching a game
- Browsing the store or profile pages
- Coming back from Steam being idle or disconnected
No, this isn’t a security issue. Your account is safe. It’s more about the connection between your computer and the Steam servers not syncing correctly.
A brief drop in your internet—even just for a few seconds—can cause your Steam session to fail. This is especially common with Wi-Fi connections that experience signal fluctuations.
If your Steam client hasn’t been updated recently, it may not play nicely with the latest server protocols.
Steam stores temporary data in your system. Over time, that data can get corrupted or become outdated, leading to errors like E87.
Some security tools block Steam’s communication ports or mistakenly flag it as a threat.
Sometimes it’s not you—it’s them. Steam servers occasionally go down or experience heavy loads.
Yes, the classic fix. Restart your Steam client, and if that doesn’t help, restart your computer.
Test your connection by opening a browser. If it’s slow or unresponsive, reset your router or modem.
- Open Steam.
- Go to Settings > Downloads.
- Click Clear Download Cache.
- Steam will restart—log in again and check if the error is gone.
- Click on Steam in the top-left corner.
- Choose Check for Steam Client Updates.
- Let it install any available updates.
- Open your antivirus program.
- Temporarily disable real-time protection.
- Launch Steam and check if it works.
- Don’t forget to turn it back on afterward.
Offline mode may help you launch your games even when login sessions are unstable.
Right-click on the Steam icon > “Run as Administrator”
This can solve permissions issues that block login attempts.
Navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\appcache
Delete everything in that folder—but don’t touch anything else.
Right-click Steam shortcut > Properties > Compatibility tab
Choose “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8”
Open Command Prompt (Admin), then run:
bash
CopyEdit
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
Restart your PC and try Steam again.
Turn on auto-updates or check manually every few days.
Use wired Ethernet for a stable, fast connection—especially during big downloads.
Use tools like CCleaner or built-in Windows Disk Cleanup to remove temp files.
Some free antivirus programs are too aggressive. Use brands like Bitdefender or Kaspersky that play well with gaming platforms.
When to Contact Steam Support:
If none of the above works, or if you suspect account issues, it’s time to reach out to the pros.
- Error code (E87)
- What steps you already taken
- Screenshots (if possible)
- System info (Windows version, antivirus used, etc.)
Most users report that clearing the download cache or reinstalling Steam usually works.
- Switching to Steam Beta Client
- Changing DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8)
- Logging in via Steam’s website and then restarting the client
To refund a game on Steam, go to Help > Steam Support > Purchases. Select the game you want to return, choose a reason, and request a refund.
Make sure it’s within 14 days of purchase and has been played less than 2 hours for eligibility.
Also Read: Can You Play Steam Games Offline – A Comprehensive Guide of 2025!
Steam Login Error Code E87 usually occurs due to connection issues or corrupt files. It can prevent you from signing in.
Restart Steam, check your internet, and disable VPN or antivirus. If the issue continues, clearing Steam’s cache or reinstalling the client might fix the problem.
Also Read: Stop Worrying About What Is Steam Error Code 50…
To fix Steam error code E87, first restart Steam and your PC. Ensure your internet is stable, and disable firewalls temporarily.
Try logging in via the Steam website. If nothing works, delete Steam’s “userdata” folder or reinstall Steam completely to solve the problem.
Also Read: Can You Buy Games With Steam Points – Buy Games With Points!
Fix Steam login errors by restarting the app and checking your internet. Clear Steam cache files or reset your password. Disable antivirus or firewall blocking Steam. If you still can’t log in, try using Steam in offline mode or reinstall the application.
Steam error E84 usually means login authentication issues. Try restarting your PC and Steam client. Use Steam’s web login and ensure your credentials are correct.
Update the Steam client if needed. If the problem continues, delete browser cache or contact Steam Support.
Also Read: How To Uninstall Steam Games – Quick Steam Game Removal!
Steam Error Code E87 isn’t the end of your gaming session—it’s a bump in the road. By understanding the root causes and following a step-by-step fix, you can get back into your games quickly without losing data or access. And with a few preventive steps, you may never see it again.
Sometimes yes, if you switch to Offline Mode or your game doesn’t require server verification.
No. It’s a local client/server session issue—not a sign of hacking.
It usually works, but back up your games first so you don’t have to redownload them.
Yes. Some VPNs interfere with Steam’s login protocols. Try disabling it.
Anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on what the root issue is.