Losing your Steam password locks you out of your games, purchases, and Steam Guard prompts at the worst time. Start with Steam Help, then use saved passwords, SMS codes, the desktop client, or Steam Support based on what you still control.
Reset your password through Steam Help
Open Steam Help in a browser and choose Help, I can't sign in.
Select I forgot my Steam Account name or password.
Enter your Steam account name, email address, or phone number.
Complete the captcha when Steam asks for it.
Follow the email, SMS, or account verification prompts Steam offers, then set a new password.
Use the account name, email, or phone number you used most often with Steam first, because Steam needs one of them to identify the account.
Use a Steam login page if you are already there
You can start the same recovery flow from a Steam sign-in page, including the Steam Help sign-in page. Choose Help, I can't sign in, then pick I forgot my Steam Account name or password and continue with your account name, email address, or phone number.
This route fits when you were already trying to sign in to the store or support site. Steam sends you through its standard verification and password reset process.
If this method fails, go back to Steam Help and use the full account recovery flow so Steam can offer the support contact form when automatic recovery cannot finish.
Change the password while you are signed in
This fixes accounts that still open in the Steam desktop client but need a fresh password.
Open the Steam desktop client.
Go to Steam, then Settings. On a Mac, open Preferences instead.
Select Security.
Choose Change Password.
Select the option to send a verification email to the email address on the account.
Enter the 5 character code from the email.
Type your new password and finish the change.
Recover a stolen Steam account
Secure the places that can give someone access before resetting Steam.
- 1.Scan your computer, following Steam's stolen-account recovery page instructions.
- 2.Change your email account password.
- 3.Open Steam Help and choose My Steam Account was stolen and I need help recovering it.
- 4.Select Reset my password in the Recover my account section.
- 5.Continue through Steam's account recovery flow.
Use SMS when your phone number is attached
Open Steam Help and choose Help, I can't sign in.
Select I forgot my Steam Account name or password.
Enter your account name, email address, or phone number.
When Steam offers SMS verification, use the SMS code sent to your phone to continue resetting the password.
Steam says adding a phone number gives you SMS options for password resets, but VoIP numbers may be blocked.
Contact Steam Support when automatic recovery fails
The most common cause is that the email, phone number, password, or other account details no longer match what you remember.
Start at Help, I can't sign in and choose either I forgot my Steam Account name or password or My Steam Account was stolen and I need help recovering it.
Work through the recovery questions with the information Steam asks for. When Steam cannot recover the account automatically, it presents a Steam Support contact form.
Use that form to provide proof of account ownership, any possible Steam Account login names, and any possible email addresses that were used on the account.
Check saved passwords on your device
If you saved your Steam password in a browser or password manager, view the saved login before resetting it. In Chrome, open More, then Passwords and autofill, then Google Password Manager, choose the Steam or steampowered.com entry, and select Show password.
In Microsoft Edge, open Settings, then Passwords and autofill, then Microsoft Password Manager. Choose the Steam or steampowered.com saved password, select the eye icon, and enter your device PIN or password when prompted.
In Firefox, open Passwords or Logins and Passwords, select the Steam or steampowered.com login, then use the eye icon or Copy. On iPhone or iPad, use the Passwords app on iOS 18 or later, or Settings then Passwords on iOS 17 or earlier; on Mac, use the Passwords app on macOS Sequoia, or System Settings then Passwords on macOS Sonoma or earlier.
If this method fails, reset the password through Steam Help instead of trying random passwords.
Fix a lost Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator
A missing authenticator blocks sign-in even after you know or reset the password. Open Steam Help and choose Help, I can't sign in, then select I deleted or lost my Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.
If you are signed in on a replacement phone, install and open Steam Mobile, sign in, and choose I no longer have access to my authenticator when Steam asks you to confirm the sign-in attempt. Follow the SMS transfer or removal steps Steam provides.
If you do not have the phone or recovery code, contact Steam Support through the Help site. After you regain access, sign in to Steam, open Account Details, then Manage Steam Guard, then Get Backup Codes, and save the generated codes.
Skip outdated recovery tricks
The most common bad advice is to look for security questions, direct phone recovery, or third-party Steam recovery services.
Steam's current consumer recovery paths run through Help, I can't sign in, email or SMS verification, and Steam Support proof-of-ownership forms.
Use those routes and avoid handing account details to anyone claiming they can recover Steam accounts outside Valve's Help site.
On a work or school managed device, your browser or password manager can hide saved-password features. Use a personal trusted device for recovery, or go straight to Steam Help and complete the official reset flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a Steam password without my email address?
Yes. Start at Steam Help, choose Help, I can't sign in, and enter the information Steam asks for. If automatic recovery fails, use the Steam Support form and provide proof of account ownership.
Can I use my phone number to reset a Steam password?
Yes. When a usable phone number is already attached to the account and Steam offers SMS verification, use the SMS code to continue the password reset.
Can Steam Guard backup codes recover my forgotten password?
No. Backup codes help with Steam Guard code access after password recovery, but they do not recover a forgotten Steam password by themselves.
Does Steam use security questions for password recovery?
No. Steam recovery runs through Steam Help, email or SMS verification, and Steam Support proof-of-ownership forms.