How to fix the Steam compatibility mode error?

October 2022 · 6 minute read
Compatibility mode error in Steam

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

To fix various PC problems, we recommend Restoro PC Repair Tool:
This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from file loss, malware, hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Fix PC issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:
  • Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
  • Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer's security and performance
  • Steam is one of the most popular cloud-gaming libraries out there and offers users a plethora of titles to choose from. But, the Steam compatibility mode error has been driving users crazy.

    This error is generally encountered when you have compatibility mode turned on in the launcher properties. And honestly, it’s quite simple to fix the error and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

    But before we walk through the fixes for the Steam compatibility mode error, it’s imperative that you understand how the compatibility mode works.

    How does the compatibility mode work?

    Compatibility mode is a feature that allows you to run applications that were built for a previous version of Windows. This helps users if they encounter an error saying that the installed version of the OS can’t run that particular app.

    So, if you see that a particular program is not running on the current version, simply switching to compatibility mode and choosing an earlier version that supports the program should work.

    But, making the switch often leads to issues, as is the case here with the Steam compatibility mode error. Also, the Steam support recommends against running their program in Windows compatibility mode.

    Now that you have a basic understanding of how compatibility mode works, let’s see how can eliminate the error.

    How can I fix the Steam compatibility mode error?

    1. Disable compatibility mode for Steam

  • Press Windows + E to launch the File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar at the top, and hit Enter to navigate to it.C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamNavigate to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • Locate and right-click on the steam.exe file, and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the file, and hit Alt + Enter.launch Properties
  • Navigate to the Compatibility tab.Compatibility
  • Now, untick the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes. Also, make sure that all the other checkboxes here are disabled.Disable compatibility mode to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • This is the simplest and most direct fix since the error here is with running Steam in compatibility mode, and disabling it should most likely eliminate the issue.

    2. Update Windows

  • Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.Windows Update
  • Next, click on Check for updates on the right to scan for a newer version of the OS.Check for updates to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • If any updates are listed after after the scan, click on Download & install.Download & install
  • Running an outdated version of Windows is just as likely to cause the Steam compatibility mode error. So, it’s recommended that you always keep up-to-date with the latest version.

    Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
    Click here to download and start repairing.

    Also, with each update certain new features, performance enhancements, and patches for previously known bugs are introduced, which are bound to make your system do a lot better.

    Read more about this topic

    3. Modify the registry

  • Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.Launch Regedit to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Click Yes
  • Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter.HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\LayersNavigate
  • Look through the various items in the navigation pane on the left, until you locate an entry with the path to the Steam launcher (steam.exe), and then right-click on it and select Delete.Delete entry to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • Now, click Yes in the confirmation prompt that pops up.Confirm delete
  • Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.
  • Since the method requires making changes to the Registry, we recommend you be extra careful here, since a minor lapse could damage the OS. Also, in case things go wrong, you can fix broken registry items by using specialized software like Restoro.

    After making the changes, check if the Steam compatibility mode error is fixed. In case it persists, head to the last method.

    4. Reinstall Steam

  • Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select Apps from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.Apps
  • Click on Apps & features on the right.Apps & features
  • Now, locate the Steam app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Uninstall from the flyout menu.Uninstall to fix steam compatibility mode error
  • Again, click Uninstall in the prompt that pops up.Click Uninstall
  • Once done, you can now download and reinstall Steam.
  • If there’s a problem with Steam itself, you have no option but to reinstall it, since you are unable to launch the app. And after you have reinstalled it, the Steam compatibility mode error should be fixed.

    What do I do if Steam games are not launching?

    Most users are not likely to face any issue launching games on Steam, but if that happens, the issue is easily fixable.

    You can try reinstalling the game that’s not launching, updating the Steam app and the OS, running the app as administrator, or updating DirectX on your computer.

    We have a dedicated guide to fix it when Steam games are not launching, so do check it. Though it’s for Windows 10, the methods listed there should work just as well on the latest iteration as well.

    That’s it! By the time you reach this part of the article, the Steam compatibility mode error should be long gone, and you can start playing your favorite games on the platform.

    In case your games don’t run smoothly, check what to do if games lag or run slow on Steam.

    Tell us which fix worked and your favorite game on Steam, in the comments section below.

    ncG1vNJzZmivmaOxsMPSq5ypp6Kpe6S7zGiqrZ2Ronqku8ypmK2hkp65qsDYZqSonJVisrO%2Bzqtm