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Steam Games Not Launching On Mac? – [8 Working Methods]

Steam Games Not Launching On Mac? – [8 Working Methods]

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Are your Steam games not launching on Mac?

 

We have multiple working solutions!

 

Whether the Steam game is running into a fatal error or simply doesn’t load after clicking “Play,” there’s a proper reasoning behind the fault.

 

By the end of this guide, you will know the most effective solutions to resolve launching issues of Steam games on your Mac!

METHODS:

  1. Check if the Game is Mac-Enabled
  2. Update the OS Version of your Mac
  3. Temporarily Lower your Resolution
  4. Clean the Steam Download Cache
  5. Disable your “Graphics Switching”
  6. Verify the Application’s Game Files
  7. Boot up the Mac under “Safe Mode”
  8. Cleanly Install the Steam Launcher

If Steam games are not launching on your Mac, ensure the game is macOS-supported, temporarily lower the Mac’s resolution value, and update the Mac’s system version. If the fault persists, clear the Steam launcher’s download cache and freshly reinstall Steam.

 

So, let’s learn more!

Why Steam Games Won’t Launch On My Mac?

Here are the potential reasons why Steam games won’t launch on your Mac:

 

  • The OS version of your Macbook or iMac is outdated.
  • Your Steam game does not supported Mac integration.
  • There’s a problem with the Steam launcher’s directory.
While ruling out the cause of the problem is not possible in every case, you should pay attention to errors, warnings, and other messages upon attempting to launch a game. Often, the description of a particular error code or warning message may contain the reason for the failed startup.

Pro Tip: In case you didn’t know, you can play Windows games on Mac very easily!

Steam Games Not Launching On Mac - 8 Methods!

Note: Have you made sure the Mac isn’t set to “Low Power Mode” through the settings?

1. Check if the Game is Mac-Enabled

Method 1/8

Launching Steam through a Mac enables macOS filtering settings within the “Library” section. Pressing the Apple icon next to the “Sort by recent activity” button automatically filters all games in your library that are compatible with a Macbook or an iMac.

The image shows how to check whether a game on Steam is enabled for macOS.

Additionally, you can create a separate category in your Steam launcher that contains only macOS-supported games and view it through your supported Apple products.

2. Update the OS Version of your Mac

Method 2/8

A potentially outdated version of your Macbook or iMac’s system will almost certainly prevent Steam games from launching properly. After verifying that the game you’re trying to launch is compatible with macOS, the next step is to download and install the latest version for your Apple computer.

 

Here’s how to update the operating system of your Mac:

 

  1. Press on the Apple icon and go to “System Settings.”
  2. Select the “General” label in the sidebar after scrolling.
  3. Click “Software Update” on the right” → “Update Now.”
The image is showing how to update your macOS whenever Steam games not launching on Mac.

How to Update Apps Through the App Store?

To apply software updates downloaded through the App Store, open the App Store application and navigate to “Updates” from the sidebar on the left. Then, you can either update each application individually or click “Update All” in the upper-right corner of the screen.

The image is showing how to update individual apps on macOS.

In some cases, there could be an important system application that must be updated through the App Store and prevent your Mac from launching and running Steam games properly.

Note: Always install app updates available in the App Store to ensure your Mac is up to date!

3. Temporarily Lower the Mac Resolution

Method 3/8

It’s proven that sometimes, incompatible resolution on your Mac can prevent games and apps from launching properly. Hence, a working method to attempt right away would be to lower the Mac’s resolution, or just use a different setting to check if your game will open.

 

Follow these instructions to lower the screen resolution of your Mac:

 

  1. First, access the Apple menu and navigate to “System Settings.”
  2. Then, type “Displays” in the search field and access the first result.
  3. Next, click on the “Advanced…” at the bottom of the display menu.
  4. Then, enable the “Show resolutions as list” at the top of the page.
  5. Click “Done” at the bottom and wait for the resolutions to appear.
  6. Highlight “1024 x 768” or “1280 x 800” based on the Mac’s display.
  7. Next, exit the configuration and attempt to launch the Steam game.
The image is showing how to change resolution on macOS, whenever Steam games not launching on Mac.

Tip: Test the game’s functionality on all available resolutions of your Mac!

4. Clean the Steam Launcher’s Cache Data

Method 4/8

Another solution for games that won’t launch on your Mac is to clear the Steam launcher’s piled-up download cache due to downloading and updating applications. If the cache storage is overfilled, many games may not function properly, causing a reduction in performance or issues with the launching process.

 

Follow these instructions to clear the Steam launcher’s download cache on your Mac:

 

  1. Navigate to the “Library” section within the Steam launcher.
  2. Press the “Downloads” button at the bottom of the section.
  3. Next, click the cogwheel icon found under your profile picture.
  4. Finally, click on “Clear Cache” next to “Clear Download Cache.”
The image is showing how to clear the Steam launcher's download cache data.

Note: The “Downloads” page is accessed differently on the Windows and macOS Steam version!

5. Disable the “Automatic Graphics Switching”

Method 5/8

The “Automatic Graphics Switching” feature available on newer Macbooks and iMacs could cause the Steam game to become uncentered, lose performance, or prevent it from launching. This is particularly common with newer Macbook Pro computers with the Retina Display.

 

Here’s how to set “Automatic Graphics Switching” to “Off” on your macOS device:

 

  1. Access your “Apple” menu and head to “System Preferences.”
  2. Click on “Energy Saver” and scroll downwards in the settings.
  3. Locate the “Automatic Graphics Switching” on-screen option.
  4. Verify the feature is not checked and exit the energy saver tab.
The image is showing how to disable the Automatic Graphics Switching when Steam games not launching on Mac.

While the “Automatic Graphics Switching” is enabled, your computer will automatically switch between the available graphic systems to improve the performance of launched applications.

Notice: This feature is only available on older Macbooks and iMacs!

6. Verify the Game’s Files Through Steam

Method 6/8

You’ve downloaded, installed, and updated the application but cannot get past the loading or launching screen, there’s a chance that the game’s files are corrupted. That’s the reason why Steam has designed a “verify integrity of game files” accessible in the properties of all installed games, to fix and rebuild corrupted or missing files.

 

Here’s how to verify the files of a Steam game on your Mac:

 

  1. Navigate to the “Library” pane through Steam on your Mac.
  2. Locate the game manually or use the search field to find it.
  3. Right-click on the game’s tile and click the “Properties” tab.
  4. Access your “Installed Files” tab from the menu on the left.
  5. Click “Verify integrity of game files” at the bottom of the tab.
  6. Wait until the file verification has been finalized and then try.
The image is showing how to verify game file's integrity on the Steam launcher.

Note: You will see a progress bar and state of files throughout the continuity of the verification.

7. Boot the System of the Mac in Safe Mode

Method 7/8

Alternatively, you can start your Mac in safe mode and run the Steam launcher along with the problematic game. There could be an application, service, or system restriction that’s preventing Steam from launching games properly while your Mac is booted up regularly.

 

Here’s how to start your Mac in safe mode in easy steps:

 

  1. Click the “Apple” icon on the left, choose “Restart” and immediately press “Shift.”
  2. Keep holding until your Mac powers off, displays the Apple logo, and starts to load.
  3. Check if there’s a red “Safe Boot” marker in the upper-right corner while logging in.
  4. Verify that there’s a black or gray background of the application’s dock and taskbar.
  5. Enter your Steam launcher and attempt to load the game while under “Safe Boot.
The image is showing how to boot MacBook or iMac in Safe Mode.

Alert: If there’s no “Safe Boot” marker in the login screen of your Macbook or iMac, restart the device again and hold “Shift” for longer.

8. Cleanly Reinstall your Steam Launcher

Method 8/8

A resolution that will most certainly address all issues with Steam and the installed games is to cleanly reinstall the launcher on your Mac. Potentially developed corruption of the files may prevent the installed games or the launcher itself from launching correctly on your macOS system.

 

Here’s how to perform a clean reinstallation of the Steam launcher on your Mac:

 

  1. Open “Finder” and navigate to the “Applications” section in the menu.
  2. Right-click the Steam launcher and press the “Move to Bin” option tile.
  3. Alternative: Drag and drop your Steam launcher’s shortcut to the Bin.
  4. Wait until the Steam directory is uninstalled and run your installer file.
  5. Open the Steam launcher, sign in, and test-launch the defective game.
The image is showing how to reinstall the Steam launcher when Steam games not launching on Mac.

Notice: All games will be automatically uninstalled upon deleting the Steam launcher!

Let's Recap!

Now you know why Steam games not launching on Mac!

 

To solve the issue, first check if the Steam game is macOS-supported, lower the Mac’s resolution, and reinstall the Steam launcher into the “Applications” folder. If the fault persists, check if there’s a more recent OS version available and clear the launcher’s “Download” cache.

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Kaloyan Petrov

Hey, I'm Kaloyan Petrov, a seasoned gamer with over a decade of experience. Dive into my world of gaming on GameScopes, where I share insights into the latest releases, industry trends, and the vibrant gaming culture. Join me on a journey through the digital realm, as my firsthand experiences and reviews offer a unique perspective shaped by years of gaming expertise. Let's explore the gaming landscape together!
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