Question
I see the error "This game is currently unavailable" when launching a game through Steam. What can I do?
Answer
Windows 7 and Vista Users
Please complete the Windows 7 and Vista Troubleshooting guide before attempting any other troubleshooting steps.
Troubleshooting Steps
After each step, please re-test the issue.
1. Exit and restart Steam
2. Update All Drivers - including DirectX, PhysX, and Visual C++ as found at the bottom of the guide
3. Exit Steam and rename the ClientRegistry.blob and restart Steam
4. Exit Steam and delete everything under the Steam installation directory except Steam.exe, the ClientRegistryOld.blob, and the /SteamApps folder - this will force Steam to update when you log in
5. Complete the Verifying GCF Cache Files process to repair your game cache files.
6. This error may be caused by having certain Steam files set to Read Only. To resolve this:
* Exit Steam.
* Navigate to the directory where you installed Steam. (Typically C:\Program Files\ or C:\Program Files\Valve\.)
* Right-click on the Steam folder.
* Select Properties.
* Check the Read-Only checkbox and press Apply.
* Uncheck the Read-Only checkbox and press Apply.
7. If this issue is only happening on a third party non-Valve game, please try launching the game's .exe directly from its installation folder: C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\Common\<Game Title>. You may also try other .exe's such as Launcher.exe in the game folder to see if a different error message is found.
8. If the issue persists, it may be caused by a network configuration issue. Please complete the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity guide to further assess the problem.
Data Execution Prevention
1. Go to Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Data Execution Prevention.
2. Select "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:"
3. Select "Add", navigate to C:\Program Files\Steam (or your default Steam directory), and add Steam.exe to the exception list.
4. Additionally, you will want to add any .exe's for the game you are seeing issues with. These files will either be in Steam\steamapps\common\<Game Title> or in \Steam\steamapps\<Your Steam Account Name>\<Game Title>\
Secondary Installers
Many Steam games include installers for features and services required by the game. These include installers for DirectX, PhysX, Games for Windows Live, C++ components, or Windows updates required by the game.
Steam is designed to run these installers when the game is first launched. If an installer is canceled by a user or prevented from running by another application on your system, the game may not launch correctly. If this occurs, these installers will need to be launched manually.
These installers are found in the game's installation folder, or a subfolder, found in the following location by default:
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\<Game Title>\
Note: Your installation path may differ from the above location.
Third Party Games
In some cases, this issue can be resolved by installing or reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package. These installers can be found at the bottom of this guide.