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Steam Stuck in Offline Mode, College Internet

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NemoKhan

Hey guys, so I'm here taking summer classes and I just finished writing an essay in the community college library, I came here because they have a textbook I needed that hasn't shipped to my home yet. Anyway, this location is one branch of the Lonestar college system network, and I have never had problems with steam connecting to the internet at other locations.

But Steam is stuck on "no connection" and now in offline mode by default. Just before I left home Steam was connected just fine. My ride won't be here for a couple of hours so I'd like to play some multiplayer vidya but I can't if steam is offline. Can anyone help me out?

12 years ago*

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33 Comments
NemoKhan

Update: I just tried to access the store from within the steam platform, and I can. So for some reason, Steam thinks I'm offline, when in reality it can access the internet just fine. Anyone have any idea what's going on here?

12 years ago
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12 years ago
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NemoKhan

You mean restarting Steam? Yes, it starts in offline mode by default now I think, or at least in offline mode the past 3 times I've tried restarting. I also just tried to access Steam Community, market, and other features that require the internet, and they all work. But friends list is offline and I'm still seeing "no connection" at the bottom.

12 years ago
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Argeus

Well it's no connection because it's offline. Open steam client, click on Steam in the top, and click on go online. See what it says.

12 years ago
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YVaam

Probably, steam and torrents are blocked, or at least that is what happens in my college.
Try downloading something via torrent, if it doesn't work... you have an answer

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

That's strange, it's not that way at the other libraries in this college system. Maybe I should try a proxy?

12 years ago
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12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Yeah, strangely enough I just logged into the Steam Community through the steam platform, it had the "log in" and "create account" buttons where friend activity usually is. Going to try restarting now and see if anything changes.

12 years ago
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YVaam

But are you accessing to the other features via web or via steam? I mean, i can visit steampowered and buy games, check the forums, my profile... but whenever i try to access via steam it isn't working

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

No, I am within the steam platform, not in an internet browser, which is why this is so strange. I just restarted steam again, still offline. I now have the option to sign back into community activity, hooray!

12 years ago
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lockalola

Tunnel it through Tor using Proxifier.

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

I'm considering simply using a free proxy, although I don't know if I can edit proxy settings in steam.

12 years ago
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lockalola

I suppose its too late for that now, but this might end up helping some random dude on the internet -
That's why I asked you to tunned it using Proxifier. Proxifier allows you to run any software through a proxy.

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

perhaps, i'm home already now and steam's working just fine, so i guess that campus library just sucks. I'll have to learn how to use proxifier though, can you direct me to a tutorial?

12 years ago
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lockalola

These two pages should be enough to get you going with Proxifier -

  1. Quick Start Guide
  2. Proxification Rules
    I suggest setting only the desired software to run through proxy, and setting it to not use any proxy by default.
    Proxifier needs to be open for the software to be run through a proxy. So, if you don't want to run a software through a proxy, you can simply close proxifier.
12 years ago
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NemoKhan

This is very strange. I really wanted to play The Hidden, but I guess I'll just play Battlefield 3; Origin is working. Hopefully Steam will work when I get home. I'll monitor this thread in case anyone has any advice but I'm not going to waste any more time messing around on my own.

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

  1. create a txt file in steam directory

  2. insert this into text:

BootStrapperInhibitAll=disable

ForceOfflineMode=disable

  1. rename this txt file to: steam.cfg

  2. start steam

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Ok, where should I put it, somewhere in the Steam files or is on my desktop fine?

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

in steam directory

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

OK done, attempting to start steam now.

EDIT: still in offline mode unfortunately.

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

perhaps the steam service isn't running, try starting it from service manager

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Only service I see from Task Manager is the one that's always there, Steam Client Bootstrapper. Is that the right one?

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

i think so, maybe the pc is restricted or something

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

It seems they've just blocked all computers from using their internet to access games, thanks for trying to help though. I don't suppose you can give me a quick tutorial on using Proxifier or Tor?

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

you can download "tor browser" from here

then start "Start Tor Browser.exe" and a new browser page with proxy enabled will open.

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Ok, but will that also effect steam?

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

no

if you want the proxy to be enabled for the whole, for steam too, you can check this out and copy the proxy settings from torbutton preferences(in tor browser) to internet explorer proxy settings.

in internet explorer the settings are at Internet options, then Connections, then LAN settings and check "Use a proxy server.." advanced etc

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

But that's Internet explorer. Oh well, I'll try anyway.

12 years ago
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GabreeEL

yes, but internet explorer proxy settings affects all internet in the pc

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info.

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Couldn't figure it out, and can't be bothered now as I'll be heading home soon. Thanks for trying to help though!

12 years ago
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NemoKhan

Every time I attempt to connect to a server in BattleField 3, I am disconnected. I guess they have blocked certain IPs here. Can anyone suggest a good tunneling service?

12 years ago
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Argeus

Try a free VPN.

12 years ago
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Closed 12 years ago by NemoKhan.