How to fix Steam too many login failures from your network error

Steam is a gaming platform and you might think that security doesn’t matter much on it. After all, what’s someone going to steal? Your in-game achievements? If you buy games on Steam, and everyone does, your billing information not to mention your phone number are two things potential hackers might be interested in. That’s why, if you have one too many failed long in attempts, Steam locks you out. You see the error message “There have been too many login failures from your network in a short time period. Please wait and try again later”.

The problem with this error message is that it doesn’t define how long the ‘short time period’ ought to be. Here’s how you can fix the Steam too many login failures from your network error.

Wait 30 minutes

The ‘short time period’ is 30 minutes long. If you have that time, wait it out and then log in to Steam. The error will disappear though you might still be prompted to enter a CAPTCHA code.

Different Network

The main problem, other than that you forgot your password and made one too many attempts to guess it, is that the attempts all came from one network. Steam is now suspicious of that network and has placed a soft ban on you from using it to sign in. The quick solution is to use a different network to sign in.

Now, no one has a second internet connection available on hand in case Steam places a soft ban on their network so you have two alternatives; a mobile hotpot, or a VPN.

Mobile Hotspot

Everyone has a phone and most, if not all, modern Android phones and all iPhones allow you to create a hotspot. You can connect your PC or laptop to your phone’s hotspot and login to Steam. Use Steam with the hotspot for thirty minutes after which you can switch back to your main connection. This will consume your mobile data so think carefully before you opt for this solution.

VPN

You need Steam to think you’re connecting from a different network than the one you made so many failed attempts from. To do that, consider using a VPN. The VPN will mask your IP and allow you to by-pass the soft ban. If you’re already using a VPN, disconnect it and connect to the internet directly. The end-result will be the same. Once the 30 minute ban expires, you can use Steam the way you normally do i.e., with or without a VPN.

Make sure you choose a good VPN if that’s the route you go with. Some VPNs don’t do a good job at masking your IP while others don’t encrypt traffic. We recommend using ExpressVPN if you’re in the market for a service. It’s fast and reliable, and also as secure as they come. AddictiveTips readers can also get the first three months free if they purchase an annual plan.