To refresh Steam Family Sharing, the most common method involves removing the problematic device from the authorized list and then re-authorizing it.
When you encounter issues with Steam Family Sharing, such as games not appearing or not being accessible, refreshing the connection between the library owner and the borrowing device is often necessary. This process essentially involves de-linking and re-linking the specific computer or device experiencing problems.
Here's a step-by-step guide based on the standard troubleshooting method:
Steps to Refresh Steam Family Library Sharing
Following these steps can help resolve connection issues by forcing a re-authentication of the device with the shared library.
- Navigate to the device management page: The person who owns the game library needs to access their Steam account settings. This is where authorized devices are managed.
- Click 'Manage Family Library Sharing' and remove the device that isn't working: On the management page, you'll find a list of computers authorized to access the library. Identify the specific device that is having trouble and de-authorize it. This breaks the existing link.
- Let the problematic computer or device send a request to re-join the library or game: On the device that was removed, try to access a shared game again. Steam should prompt you to request access, effectively sending a new authorization request to the library owner. The library owner will then need to approve this request.
- Test to see if this has fixed the issue: Once the device is re-authorized, check if the shared games appear correctly and can be launched without errors.
This process effectively "refreshes" the connection by creating a new link between the library and the borrowing device, often resolving glitches that prevent sharing from working correctly.
Why Does This Work?
Removing and re-adding a device forces Steam to re-evaluate the relationship and permissions between the library owner's account and the specific computer. It clears potential cached errors or outdated authorization tokens that might be preventing the sharing from functioning as intended. It's similar to unplugging and replugging a network cable to fix a connectivity issue.
By following these steps, you can often resolve common issues with Steam Family Sharing access on a specific device.
