How to Kick Someone Off Your Steam Account: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever suspected someone might be using your Steam account without your permission? Perhaps you’ve shared your account with a friend and now want to revoke their access? Whatever the reason, understanding how to kick someone off your Steam account is essential for maintaining your account’s security and your gaming peace of mind. This guide will walk you through the steps, ensuring you regain full control over your Steam profile and library.
Methods to Remove Unauthorized Access
There are several methods to ensure unauthorized users are logged out of your Steam account. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective options:
1. Deauthorize All Devices
This is the most comprehensive approach to immediately sever all active Steam sessions except for the one you’re currently using. Here’s how to do it:
- Using the Steam Client:
- Open the Steam client on your computer.
- Click on “Steam” in the top left corner.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- Go to the “Account” tab.
- Under “Account Security,” click “Manage Steam Guard.”
- Choose the option to “Deauthorize all other devices.”
- Confirm your decision. You’ll be logged out from all other devices, except the one you’re currently using.
- Using the Steam Website:
- Go to the official Steam website and log in to your account.
- Click on your profile name and select “Account details.”
- Under “Account Security,” find “Manage Steam Guard.”
- Click the option to “Deauthorize all other devices.”
- Confirm the deauthorization.
This method is highly effective because it forces a log out on all devices that have access to your Steam account. You will then need to re-log in on the devices you wish to continue using Steam on. This action immediately stops any unauthorized person’s ongoing access to your account.
2. Changing Your Steam Password
Changing your password is another robust method to force all devices to log out of your Steam account. This action effectively invalidates any previously stored login credentials on other devices:
- Log in to your Steam account via the client, website, or mobile app.
- Go to “Account Details” through your profile settings (steps vary slightly depending on platform).
- Locate the “Change Password” option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set a new, strong password.
- Confirm your password change.
As soon as your password is changed, all devices logged into your account will be automatically logged out. This ensures that no one can access your account using the old password. Be sure to remember your new password and update it on all devices you use.
3. Managing Family Library Sharing
If you’ve shared your library with someone via the Family Library Sharing feature and want to revoke their access, follow these steps:
- Open the Steam client.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select the “Family” tab.
- Under “Family Library Sharing,” click on “Manage.”
- You’ll see a list of authorized users and computers. Deauthorize the users or computers you want to remove access from.
- Confirm the changes.
This action prevents the deauthorized accounts from accessing your shared library, effectively kicking them off any games they were using through your account.
Important Security Measures
Beyond just removing unwanted users, it’s crucial to implement these measures to protect your account going forward:
- Enable Steam Guard: This feature adds an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your mobile app or email address whenever you log in from a new device.
- Use Strong Passwords: Choose a complex password using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information.
- Be Cautious of Phishing: Never share your account details with anyone, especially through links or websites that seem suspicious.
- Regularly Review Authorized Devices: Check the list of authorized devices periodically to ensure that only the ones you use are listed.
By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of future unauthorized access to your Steam account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions related to managing access to your Steam account:
1. Can I remotely deauthorize computers from the web?
Yes, you can remotely deauthorize computers through the Steam website by going to your account details and managing Steam Guard.
2. What happens if I give someone my Steam account?
Sharing your Steam account is a violation of the Steam Subscriber Agreement and can lead to penalties. It’s not recommended to share your account, and ownership is non-transferable.
3. Why would someone steal a Steam account?
Cybercriminals often target Steam accounts to sell them, use them for scams, or harvest sensitive information.
4. Can I give access to my Steam library to others?
Yes, you can use Family Library Sharing to share your game library with up to 5 accounts on 10 authorized devices.
5. Does changing my Steam password log me out of all devices?
Yes, changing your Steam password will log you out of your account on all devices.
6. How do I know if someone is active on my Steam account?
You can check your Friends list to see if your account is online, and when it was last online. You can also see in game play status.
7. Can others see my Steam account name?
Nobody sees your account name unless you disclose it. It’s separate from your profile name or any other in-game names.
8. Can two people be logged into the same Steam account simultaneously?
If they both are trying to play online or download, they will get an “Invalid Steam UserID Ticket” error, meaning only one can be online and playing a game at the time.
9. Can two devices play on the same Steam account at the same time?
No, you cannot play a game on two devices simultaneously using the same Steam account. One account can only be active in game play on one device.
10. What does the “zzz” mean on Steam?
The “zzz” icon typically indicates that a player is AFK (away from keyboard) or inactive but still technically in game.
11. Can friends see me in offline mode on Steam?
No, if you appear offline, your friends will not see you or your activity on Steam.
12. How do I know if someone removed me on Steam?
Steam does not directly notify you if someone blocks you. You can check their profile; if you can see it but can’t add them as a friend, they’ve probably blocked you.
13. How do I change my Steam password without my phone number?
Use your email address to reset your password. You can request an account recovery through email if you’ve forgotten your password.
14. Is it safe to share my Steam ID?
Your Steam ID is not considered private information, so it’s generally safe to share.
15. How can I give money to a friend on Steam?
You can gift money directly to a friend’s Steam wallet through the platform.
By following these instructions and tips, you can ensure that your Steam account remains secure and accessible only to you. Regularly reviewing your security settings and staying informed about potential threats will greatly enhance your gaming experience.