Why Are Some Games Not Showing Up on Steam Library Share?
Steam Family Sharing is a fantastic feature, allowing you to share your game library with family and friends, letting them experience your favorite titles without needing to purchase them separately. However, the experience isn’t always seamless. You may find some games mysteriously absent from the shared library, leading to frustration and confusion. Several reasons explain why a game might not be showing up in your shared Steam library. The most common culprits include publisher restrictions, third-party requirements, region locks, content limitations, hidden games, offline mode restrictions, and technical issues.
Understanding the Limitations of Steam Family Sharing
Publisher Restrictions
This is perhaps the most significant reason why a game might not be shareable. Game publishers have the final say on whether or not their games can be shared via Steam Family Sharing. They may choose to disable sharing for specific titles for various reasons, often related to revenue protection or contractual agreements. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about this, as it’s entirely at the publisher’s discretion. Check the game’s store page to see if family sharing is available before purchasing the game.
Third-Party Requirements
Many games, particularly MMOs or those with their own launchers, require a separate account, key, or subscription outside of Steam. These games are generally not shareable because the other account wouldn’t have the necessary credentials to access the third-party service. For instance, if a game requires a separate Uplay or Rockstar Social Club account, family sharing may be disabled.
Region Locks
Some games are region-locked, meaning they can only be activated and played in specific geographic regions. If your friend or family member is in a different region than you, they might not be able to access certain games in your shared library, even if sharing is technically enabled. This is because the game is not licensed for distribution in their region.
Content Limitations
Certain editions or versions of a game might not be shareable. For example, if you have a special edition with exclusive content, that content might not be available to those you’re sharing with, or the entire game may not be available for sharing as a result.
Hidden Games
It’s easy to overlook the obvious: you may have accidentally hidden the game in your Steam library. Hidden games are excluded from view and won’t appear in your shared library.
Troubleshooting and Solutions
Check Hidden Games
To unhide a game:
- In the Steam client, click “View” in the top menu.
- Select “Hidden Games.”
- If the missing game is listed, select it and click “Remove from Hidden”.
Verify Family Sharing Settings
Double-check that Family Sharing is properly enabled on both accounts.
- Go to Steam > Settings > Family.
- Ensure the “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer” box is checked.
- Verify that the account you want to share with is listed under “Eligible Accounts”.
- Make sure the friend’s account has also authorized Family Sharing on their computer.
Offline Mode Restrictions
Steam Family Sharing requires an active internet connection for both the owner and the borrower. If either account is in offline mode, the shared library may not be accessible. Furthermore, the game library can only be shared on a machine once an online connection is established.
One Game at a Time
Remember that only one person can access a shared library at a time. If you are playing a game from your library, your friend will not be able to access any games from that library, even if they are playing a different game. The game library will be unavailable until the other person quits or ends their gameplay.
Conflicts with the Shared Library
Ensure that the account sharing your library isn’t currently playing a game. Steam only allows one user to play games from a library at a time. If the primary account holder is actively in a game, it will block access to the shared library.
Technical Issues and Bugs
Sometimes, technical glitches or bugs in the Steam client can cause games to disappear from the shared library. Try restarting Steam or your computer.
Final Considerations
While Steam Family Sharing is a great feature, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. Publisher restrictions, third-party requirements, and region locks can all prevent games from being shared. Always check the game’s store page for Family Sharing compatibility before purchasing it. By understanding these limitations and troubleshooting common issues, you can maximize your Steam Family Sharing experience and enjoy your favorite games with friends and family. To learn more about the intersection of gaming and education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can all Steam games be shared with friends and family?
No, not all Steam games can be shared. Publisher discretion, technical limitations (like third-party keys), and regional restrictions can all prevent a game from being shareable.
2. Why are some games not showing in my Steam library at all?
The game might be hidden, or there might be an issue with your Steam installation. Check your hidden games list and try restarting Steam.
3. How do I unhide a game on Steam?
Go to View > Hidden Games, select the game, and click “Remove from Hidden”.
4. How do I enable Steam Family Sharing?
Go to Steam > Settings > Family and check the box that says “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer”. Then, select the account(s) you want to share with. The other account(s) need to also authorize sharing on their computer.
5. Can I share non-Steam games with friends through Steam?
You can add non-Steam games to your Steam library, but they cannot be shared through Steam Family Sharing.
6. What if I’m still missing a game after checking all the above?
Try verifying the game files. Right-click on the game in your library, go to Properties > Local Files, and click “Verify integrity of game files…”.
7. Can I play a shared game at the same time as the owner of the library?
No, only one person can play games from a shared library at a time.
8. What happens if the owner of the library starts playing a game while I’m playing one of their shared games?
You will receive a warning message and have a few minutes to save your progress and exit the game.
9. Can I share my entire Steam library or only specific games?
You share your entire library, but individual games may be unshareable due to the reasons mentioned above.
10. How many accounts can I share my Steam library with?
You can authorize Family Sharing on up to five accounts at a given time.
11. What happens if I get VAC banned while playing a shared game?
If you get a VAC ban while playing a shared game, your account and the account that owns the library will be banned from playing VAC-secured games.
12. Can I play a shared game offline?
While you generally need to be online to access a shared library initially, you may be able to play some games offline if the game supports offline mode.
13. Does Steam count hours for non-Steam games?
Yes, Steam tracks and displays the playtime for non-Steam games added to your library.
14. What is Steam Guard and how does it affect family sharing?
Steam Guard is a security feature that protects your account. It doesn’t directly affect family sharing, but it’s recommended to enable it for added security.
15. How do I fix Steam Family Sharing issues?
Try restarting Steam, verifying game files, checking family sharing settings, and ensuring both accounts have an active internet connection. You may also want to repair your Steam Library folder. Learning more about games and education helps everyone. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more info.