Have you encountered the frustrating ‘Steam needs to be online to update’ error on your Mac and are wondering how to resolve it? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. When this issue crops up, it stops you from accessing your games and hinders you from getting the most out of Steam. Thankfully, there are some effective solutions to fix the problem and bring your gaming back on track. So, let’s jump right in to take on the issue!
How to Fix the ‘Steam Needs to Be Online to Update’ Error on Mac
From the corrupted cache files to the malfunctioning internet connection to an app-related bug to a macOS glitch, there are several reasons why this long-standing Steam problem crops up to derail your gaming.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
One of the biggest reasons why the “Steam needs to be online to update” issue occurs on Mac is the sluggish or ill-functioning internet connection. Hence, taking control of this usual suspect may help resolve the problem.
- Hit the Wi-Fi icon at the top right on your Mac and turn off Wi-Fi.
- After that, restart your Mac and turn the Wi-Fi back on.
- After that, check if the problem is gone.
- Should your Wi-Fi connection continue to malfunction, reboot your router.
2. Forget the Wi-Fi Network
More often than not, you can resolve the Wi-Fi issues on your Mac by forgetting the network and reconnecting to it.
- On your macOS device, go to the System Settings app > Wi-Fi > hit the “Info” button right next to the Wi-Fi network in question > Forget This Device and confirm.
- Now, reconnect your Mac to the Wi-Fi network and confirm.
3. Restart Steam in Online Mode
Note that if Steam is stuck in offline mode on your macOS device, it might be causing problems. But fret not! There is a pretty neat way to restart Steam in the online mode to resolve this issue.
- In the Steam client > go to the Account menu and choose Go Offline.
- After that, hit the Apple menu at the top left corner of your Mac and choose Force Quit.
- Then, select Steam in the menu and hit Force Quit.
- Choose Restart and Go Online in order to force Steam to reestablish its connection to the internet.
4. Update Steam
Has it been a while since you updated the Steam client on your macOS device. If you are nodding in the affirmative, it wouldn’t be wrong to put the entire blame on the outdated version of the software as there is a high chance that the compatibility issues might be causing the error.
- On your Mac, fire up the Steam client > Steam menu at the upper-left > Check for Steam Updates.
- Now, let the Steam client download and install the latest update.
- However, if you are unable to update the app from the Settings menu, go to App Store on your Mac > Updates tab in the left sidebar > Find the Steam client and update it.
5. Update Your Mac
If your Mac is embroiled in a persistent software bug, it could be preventing the Steam client from going about its job.
- Navigate to the System Settings on your Mac > General > Software Update > check if there is any macOS update waiting
- Once the software update is over, restart your Mac and check if you have gotten the better of the error.
6. Make Sure Firewall is Not Spoiling Your Party
Ensure that your Mac’s Firewall doesn’t have the license to block out all incoming connections.
- Jump straight into the System Settings app on your Mac > Network > Firewall > Options button and turn off the toggle for “Block All Incoming Connections”.
- Just in case you want the Firewall to remain active, ensure that Steam is listed under the “Allowed Apps” section.
- To get it done, hit the “+” button > find the Steam app and add it.
- Hit the OK button to confirm.
- Now, reboot your Mac and find out if the luck has eventually prevailed.
7. Disable VPN on Your Mac
Check if a VPN service is active on your Mac? If you are nodding in “Yes”, turn it off as it might be interfering with Steam.
- Navigate to the Apple menu at the top left > System Settings > VPN and disable it.
8. Clear Steam’s Cache Files
It’s no secret that corrupted cache files often tend to trigger connectivity issues. It’s time to wipe out Steam’s cache files to overcome the connectivity issues.
- Dive into the Steam client on your device > click on the Steam menu at the top left > Preferences in the drop-down menu.
- Select the Downloads option in the left sidebar > hit the “Clear Cache” button showing right next to “Clear Download Cache” and confirm the action.
9. Reinstall the Steam Client
Haven’t been able to resolve this frustrating Steam problem on your Mac? Now is the right time to embrace the nuclear solution of reinstalling the Steam client. No worries! We are going to take a safer route so that your precious game files aren’t lost.
Back Up Your Steam Game Files
- Launch the Steam client on your Mac > View menu > Library.
- Right-click the game’s title and select Properties…
- Inside the Installed Files tab, select the “Backup game files” option.
- Next, hit the Browse… option > select the folder where you wish to create the backup files
- Click the Create Backup to kickstart the backup process.
- After the backup is complete, select “Open folder” to move or burn copies of the backup files depending on your needs.
- Next up, head over to the Steam app inside Finder > Applications and drag it into the trash folder.
- Up next, reinstall the Steam client on your Mac.
Restoring Games from Backup Files
- Launch the Steam client and log in using the correct Steam account.
- Hit the Account menu in the upper left corner and click Restore Game Backup...
- Navigate to the location of the game’s backup files and then restore your games.
Have Your Say…
I hope Steam has started to behave on the expected lines. Now that you have gotten the better of the issue, kickstart an action-packed game mode. But before that, be sure to share your two cents about the solutions that have rescued you and your beloved gaming.
Read more: 12 Best Tips to Enable & Use Steam Game Recording Like a Pro!
