Steam has downloaded an update, but it still needs a restart to finish the job. You can also check for updates yourself without waiting for a notification. Here’s how to update Steam on your computer or Steam Deck, plus what to try when the desktop updater won’t cooperate.
Check for Steam updates on Windows or Linux
Open Steam.
Select Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates....
When an update is offered, select Download.
Once the download finishes, select Apply and restart Steam to complete the update.
If the menu method fails, try the steam://checkforupdates link described below.
On a Mac, use the menu bar
Open Steam. The current Mac client requires macOS 12 or newer.
In the macOS menu bar, select Steam > Check For Updates....
Complete the update download.
Restart Steam when prompted to finish applying it.
Finish an automatic update with a restart
A downloaded client update stays unfinished when its requested restart is still pending.
Launch Steam with an internet connection, or leave it running to receive automatic client downloads.
When the client-update notification offers Download, select it.
Once the update is ready, select Apply and restart Steam to finish installation.
Choosing Later postpones completion, so downloading alone doesn’t finish the job.
Open the updater through a Steam link
With Steam installed, enter steam://checkforupdates in your browser.
Approve the request to open Steam. The link opens the client updater through Steam’s registered URL handler.
For the Windows alternative, press Windows+R.
Enter steam://checkforupdates in the Run dialog.
Select OK.
In the updater, select Download when offered.
After downloading finishes, select Apply and restart Steam to complete the update.
If the link doesn’t open Steam, use the manual update command in the desktop app’s Steam menu.
Install updates in Big Picture Mode and on Steam Deck
On Steam Deck, press the Steam button to open its menu.
Open Settings > System > Software Updates.
In desktop Big Picture Mode, open Settings > System.
Select Software Updates under Updates.
Select Check For Updates to check for an available update.
Select Apply when an update is offered.
Choose Restart when required to complete installation.
Tip: Steam Deck LCD and OLED use this same Gaming Mode update path.
Repair a desktop installation that will not update
For a Windows installation that still won’t update, Valve supports running the installer again over the existing installation. Using the same location preserves installed games.
Exit Steam before starting the repair.
Download the installer from Valve’s Steam download page using Install Steam.
Run the installer again, using your existing Steam installation location.
Launch Steam afterward to let the client update. A repair installation still needs the normal updater to bring the client up to date.
If Steam reports that updates were disabled by a command-line switch or configuration file, remove the update-blocking customization.
Restart Steam after removing the block.
Retry Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates....
If updating still fails because an enforced configuration blocks it, ask your administrator to remove the block.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Steam’s Downloads settings update the Steam client?
No. Downloads settings control game updates. They do not update the desktop Steam app.
Do I need Steam Beta Update to get the latest public version?
No. Steam Beta Update provides prerelease client builds. To join on Windows or Linux, open Steam > Settings > Interface > Client Beta Participation. On Mac, use Steam > Preferences > Interface > Client Beta Participation. Select Steam Beta Update, then select Restart Now.
Can Steam still update on 32-bit Windows?
No. Steam no longer supplies updates to 32-bit Windows. Current desktop Steam supports the 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Why do older instructions tell me to use the File menu?
The File > Check For Steam Client Updates command belongs to a historical Steam interface. It is not the update path for current clients.