Why Does My Family Shared Game Say Purchase? The Ultimate Steam Family Sharing Guide

So, you’re all set up with Steam Family Sharing, ready to dive into a world of games with your loved ones, but instead of pressing “Play,” you’re staring at that dreaded “Purchase” button. Frustrating, right? There are several key reasons why this happens, and understanding them will help you troubleshoot and get back to gaming in no time.

The primary reason a family shared game displays the “Purchase” option is that the owner of the game is currently playing any game in their Steam library. Steam Family Sharing allows one person to play a game from a shared library at a time. Think of it like a physical library – only one person can borrow a specific copy of a book at a time. If the owner is engaged in a game, regardless of whether it’s the specific title you want to play, access to their entire shared library is temporarily blocked for all borrowers.

Decoding the “Purchase” Button: Troubleshooting Steam Family Sharing

Beyond the primary reason, several other factors can lead to this perplexing “Purchase” button. Let’s break them down:

• The Owner is Playing: This is the most common culprit. Even if the game the owner is playing isn’t the one you want to play, Steam prioritizes the owner’s access.
• Offline Mode Issues: While Steam allows offline play, it can sometimes interfere with Family Sharing. If the owner is consistently in offline mode, it might not properly release the game for sharing.
• Sharing Restrictions: Some games are not eligible for Family Sharing. This can be due to technical limitations, third-party DRM (Digital Rights Management), or developer restrictions. Always check if the game is eligible before assuming it should be shareable.
• Authorization Issues: Sometimes, the authorization between your computer and the owner’s account can become corrupted. Re-authorizing your device can often resolve this.
• Account Issues: General Steam account problems, like login difficulties or account restrictions, can impact Family Sharing functionality.
• Too Many Authorized Devices: Steam limits the number of devices that can be authorized for Family Sharing. If you’ve reached the limit, you’ll need to de-authorize one before adding another.
• Regional Restrictions: Although less common, some games may have regional restrictions that affect Family Sharing.
• VAC Bans: If the owner’s account has a VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban, it can impact the ability to share VAC-protected games. Note: if a borrower cheats, the owner’s account could also face repercussions.
• Recent Password Changes: A recent password change on the owner’s account can temporarily disrupt Family Sharing.
• Steam Client Bugs: Sometimes, it’s simply a glitch in the Steam client. Restarting Steam or your computer can often fix these temporary issues.
• Network Connectivity Problems: Ensure you and the game owner both have stable internet connections. Intermittent connectivity can lead to authorization issues.
• Outdated Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can occasionally cause conflicts with Steam’s DRM and Family Sharing functionality. Ensure your drivers are up to date.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Firewalls and antivirus software can sometimes block Steam’s access to its servers, disrupting Family Sharing.
• Pending Updates: Make sure both your Steam client and the game itself are fully updated. Pending updates can cause compatibility issues.
• Corrupted Game Files: If the game files are corrupted, it might display the “Purchase” button even if you should have access. Verify the integrity of the game files through Steam.

Troubleshooting Steps: Getting Back to Gaming

Here’s a systematic approach to troubleshooting the “Purchase” button:

1. Check if the owner is playing: This is the first and easiest step. Communicate with the owner and ask if they are currently in a game.
2. Restart Steam: A simple restart of the Steam client can often resolve minor glitches.
3. Re-authorize your device: Go to Steam Settings > Family and de-authorize your computer. Then, have the owner re-authorize it.
4. Verify Game Eligibility: Ensure the game you are trying to play is actually eligible for Family Sharing.
5. Check Account Status: Make sure both your account and the owner’s account are in good standing and have no restrictions.
6. Update Steam and Drivers: Ensure both the Steam client and your graphics drivers are up to date.
7. Verify Game Files: Right-click on the game in your library, go to Properties > Local Files, and click “Verify integrity of game files.”
8. Check Firewall/Antivirus: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if it’s interfering with Steam. Be sure to re-enable them afterwards.
9. Contact Steam Support: If none of the above steps work, contact Steam Support for assistance.

Steam Family Sharing FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how Steam Family Sharing works:

1. How do I enable Family Sharing on Steam?

   To enable Family Library Sharing, first ensure you have Steam Guard security enabled via Steam > Settings > Account. Then, enable the sharing feature via Settings > Family, where you’ll also authorize specific computers and users to share.

2. Will I keep my game progress if I buy a game currently shared through Family Sharing?

   Yes! Steam keeps your game progress, achievements, and other community stuff separate from how you own the game. So, whether you’re playing through Family Sharing, a free weekend, or any other method, your progress will carry over if you purchase the game.

3. Why isn’t Family Sharing working?

   Double-check your Family Sharing settings. Ensure you’re logged into the correct Steam account and that the owner hasn’t revoked sharing privileges. Also, verify that the game itself is eligible for Family Sharing.

4. Can two people play a game on family share at the same time?

   No, only one person can play a game from a shared library at a time. If the owner is playing any game, borrowers cannot access the shared library.

5. Can you play multiplayer games on Family Sharing?

   Yes, you can play multiplayer games, but not simultaneously with the owner of the library.

6. Can you bypass Steam family share restrictions?

   While there might be workarounds circulating online, attempting to bypass Steam Family Sharing restrictions violates Steam’s terms of service and could result in account penalties. It’s best to play fair and respect the intended functionality.

7. What are the downsides of Steam family sharing?

   The biggest downside is the limitation of only one person using the shared library at a time. Also, your Family Sharing privileges may be revoked if a borrower cheats or commits fraud.

8. Can two people play on the same Steam account?

   Yes, you can sign into the same Steam account on multiple computers, but only one session can be active at a time.

9. Can you play 2 different games on Steam at the same time with different accounts?

   No. Each Steam account can only run one game from its library at a time, no matter how many PCs it is installed on.

10. Can I play offline with Family Sharing?

    Yes, you can play offline, but only one person can use the shared library at a time, even offline. To ensure seamless offline play, launch the game once while online to cache the necessary files.

11. Does Family Sharing cost anything extra?

    No, Steam Family Sharing is a free feature.

12. How many devices can I authorize for Family Sharing?

    You can authorize up to 5 accounts on up to 10 devices to have access to your Steam Library.

13. What happens if the game owner gets VAC banned?

    If the owner’s account gets a VAC ban, borrowers will lose access to VAC-protected games in the shared library. More seriously, if a borrower gets a VAC ban while playing a shared game, the owner’s account could also face VAC bans.

14. What types of games cannot be shared through Family Sharing?

    Certain games are not shareable on Steam due to technical limitations or publisher restrictions. These often include games that require a third-party key, games with free weekend access, and certain subscription-based games.

15. How can I deauthorize a device from Family Sharing?

    The account owner can deauthorize a shared device by navigating to Steam Settings > Family and then clicking “Manage other devices.” From there, they can remove any authorized device from sharing their library.

Steam Family Sharing is a fantastic feature for sharing your love of gaming with friends and family. By understanding how it works and troubleshooting common issues, you can maximize its benefits and minimize the frustration of that “Purchase” button. Remember to communicate with the game owner, follow the troubleshooting steps, and consult the FAQs when needed. To learn more about the societal impacts of gaming and game-based learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Happy gaming!