How to Fix Steam Stuck on Loading User Data

Before you begin

Steam can get stuck on “Loading User Data” for different reasons. A community discussion reports that rebuilding Steam’s web cache helped some users, but that is an anecdotal fix, not a confirmed cause or guaranteed solution. If the same account hangs on more than one device or network, the problem may not be limited to one computer; that alone does not prove the cause.

Prerequisites

• Know whether Steam’s website lets you sign in. Do not share your password, Steam Guard code, or recovery codes with anyone.

• Save work and close games before restarting.

• Before changing or removing any Steam files, make a separate backup and verify that the copied files are present and openable. The optional cache step below explains this in detail.

Try low-risk checks first

1. Restart Steam and your computer. Exit Steam from its menu or system-tray icon, then restart the computer and try again. Steam’s official client troubleshooting guide also recommends restarting as an initial check.

2. Check whether the issue is limited to the client. Try signing in to Steam’s website in a browser. If the website works but the desktop client remains stuck, note that distinction; it can help when contacting support, but it does not identify the underlying cause.

3. Check your connection without weakening security. If convenient, try another trusted network, such as a mobile hotspot. Do not turn off your firewall or security software as a general fix. If Steam fails on multiple devices or networks, avoid repeatedly reinstalling it; the available evidence does not establish that reinstalling will resolve an account- or service-related problem.

Optional: rebuild Steam’s web cache

A Steam Community user reported resolving this symptom by removing the htmlcache folder. This is not an official guaranteed fix. Try it only if you are comfortable working with folders and have verified a backup first.

1. Fully exit Steam. Make sure it is no longer running before changing files.

2. Locate your Steam installation folder. Its location varies by computer and installation. Open its config folder and look for htmlcache.

3. Back up before proceeding: copy the entire htmlcache folder to a separate location, such as an external drive or a clearly named backup folder outside Steam’s config folder. Check that the copied folder exists and contains files before continuing.

4. Rename the original folder to htmlcache.old rather than deleting it. Start Steam and check whether it gets past “Loading User Data.” Steam may create a new cache folder.

5. If this does not help, exit Steam again. Rename the newly created htmlcache folder to htmlcache.new, then rename htmlcache.old back to htmlcache. Keep your verified backup until Steam is working reliably.

If it is still stuck

Do not delete Steam’s userdata, account configuration, or login files as a next guess. Such changes can remove local information or settings, and reports from a community thread do not establish that they are safe or effective for every user. If the issue persists, use the official Steam client troubleshooting guide and follow its support options. Tell support what you tried, whether the website sign-in works, and whether the client behaves the same on another device or network. Avoid sending passwords or authentication codes.