How To Fix Steam Error Code E87 [Step By Step]

You can fix error e87 by deleting Steam's package folder, using the noreactlogin command, whitelisting Steam in your antivirus software, and opening Steam's network ports.

There have been many reports of players experiencing the Steam error code e87 while attempting to sign into their Steam accounts. This error prevents you from logging into your account and usually occurs in the Steam client. Players have even tried resetting their login information, such as usernames and passwords, to see if that resolves the error. However, all these efforts were in vain, as this error persists without any resolution.

The error code says, “Something went wrong while attempting to sign you in. Please try again later.”
Steam error code e87 error message
Steam error code e87 error message (Image by eXputer)
Key Takeaways
  • Players encounter the Steam error code E87 when logging into their Steam accounts.
  • This error prevents you from logging into your account. Resetting your login credentials does not fix the issue.

There are many causes behind error e87. Here is a small list:

  • Getting a soft ban on your IP address.
  • Slow internet connection.
  • Closed network ports required by Steam.
  • Your Antivirus Software could be restricting Steam.
  • Corrupted folders cause conflicts with essential Steam files.

Follow these steps to fix the Steam error e87:

  1. Launch Steam with admin privileges.
  2. Verify your system’s date & time.
  3. Make sure your OS and Steam are updated to the latest version.
  4. Delete the package folder in the Steam directory.
  5. Use the noreactlogin command to revert to the old Steam UI.
  6. Disable your antivirus software.
  7. Open the essential network ports.

What Causes Error Code E87?

The error does not explain anything about what it is or why it’s showing up in its pop-up message. This can make figuring out the causes behind error e87 highly confusing and frustrating.

Here is a brief list of all the various reasons that can lead to error e87 below:

  • Steam might have banned your IP address due to incorrect login attempts.
  • Your internet connection could be too slow to connect to the Steam servers.
  • Essential ports required by Steam might be blocked on your network.
  • Your antivirus software might be preventing Steam from accessing your system or network.
  • Your system’s date and time might not be correct.
  • Steam might have some corrupted folders or files that are causing issues.
  • Error code e87 will also show up if you don’t have two-factor authentication set up correctly.

Delete Steam’s Package Folder

Many players managed to alleviate error code e87 by deleting this package folder. Occasionally, some external factors can cause this folder to get corrupted. This can affect many functionalities of Steam, including the ability to log into the Steam client. Deleting the package folder will automatically replace it with a new one the next time you launch Steam. 

Here’s how you can delete Steam’s package folder:

  1. First, exit the Steam client completely by going to the notifications tray of your taskbar.
  2. Here, right-click Steam’s logo to open an options menu. Now, click exit to close the Steam client.
how to fix steam error code e87
Exiting Steam from the notifications tray (Screenshot by eXputer)
  1. Once the Steam client is closed, you must find the package folder. This folder is located in the Steam directory.
  2. The typical path to the Steam directory is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam. However, it can be different in some cases.
  3. Once you have entered the Steam directory, find the package folder and delete it by pressing CTRL + X on your keyboard.
Package folder inside the Steam directory
Package folder inside the Steam directory (Screenshot captured by eXputer)
  1. Once deleted, relaunch Steam and wait for it to download all the updates.
  2. A new package folder will now replace your old corrupted one. 

When I was experiencing Steam error e87, deleting the package folder was what solved the issue for me.

Note: Many users fixed the Steam error E87 by following this method, as seen in this Reddit thread.

Use The Noreactlogin Command

Noreactlogin is one of the many command lines that work with Steam. This command turns off the new login window based on ReactJS and reverts it to the old UI. You might be incompatible with the new ReactJS-based login window. Therefore, reverting to the old login window will likely fix this Steam error for you.

Do note that there have been no official mentions of the noreactlogin command from Valve. However, be assured that the command line is completely safe and works very well.

Here’s how you can use the noreactlogin command with Steam:

  1. Locate your Steam.exe shortcut and right-click it to reveal a list of options.
  2. Here, click properties. Verify that you are in the Shortcut tab.
  3. Type -noreactlogin where it says Target. 
  4. Ensure it is entered after the Steam’s path and with a space.
  5. Now, click apply and then OK to close the properties window. 
use noreactlogin to fix steam error code e87
Adding the noreactlogin command to Steam (Screenshot captured by eXputer)

Remember, for the command to work, it must be added to the Steam.exe file and nothing else. I’ve used the noreactlogin command not just to fix error e87 but several other issues with Steam’s current login portal.

Read: While searching the Steam community for error e87, I found this comment by Steam user whiplash159 suggesting using the noreactlogin command. I researched it further and found it one of the core solutions for this Steam error code.

Turn Off Your Antivirus Software

Many players might not be aware, but your antivirus software can be behind many of the errors you face. While the software does protect you from malicious files or viruses, it can also affect the safe applications already present in your system, including the Steam client.

In my experience, this results in Steam being unable to log into your account, which causes error e87. Firstly, check if this applies to your situation by temporarily disabling your antivirus software.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Get to the start menu by pressing the Windows button on your keyboard.
  2. Click the gear icon in the start menu to open Windows system settings.
  3. Enter the Update & Security section and then access Windows Security.
  4. Now, find the Firewall and network Protection option.
  5. Once found, click it to open a new window containing all three Firewall options.
  6. The Firewall options are Domain Network, Private Network, and Public Network.
  7. Turn off all of them to fully disable Windows Firewall Defender.
Disable antivirus for steam error code e87
Firewall and Network Protection settings (Image taken by eXputer)

Don’t forget to turn off any other 3rd-party antivirus software you might’ve downloaded on your system.

Now, try to log into your Steam account and see if you get error e87.

For players who successfully resolved error code e87, it’s essential to whitelist the Steam directory in your antivirus software.

To learn how to Whitelist your applications or games in your antivirus software, read this in-depth guide by our tech expert Ayyoun Ali.
Important: It’s common knowledge that your antivirus software can interfere with Steam or its games. I found this official Steam post recommending that you add Steam and its games as exceptions in your antivirus software to avoid errors.

Open Steam’s Network Ports

Network ports allow different programs and services to connect and exchange data, making communication possible. These ports are identified through unique numbers. If even one of these essential network ports is blocked for Steam, you will encounter hoards of errors when accessing the Steam client’s network features.

Here is the list of ports you need to open on your network:

  • TCP: 27015, 27036, 443, and 80.
  • UDP: 27015, 27031, 27032, 273033, 27034, 27035, 27036, 4380, 3478, 4370, and 4380.

Follow these steps to open Steam’s ports in your router’s configuration:

  1. Firstly, locate your router’s login information and IP address. You can find these details at the back of your device.
  2. Once you have noted the information, access any browser and type your router’s IP address in the browser’s search bar.
  3. Press enter, and you can enter your router’s login portal. Here, enter your username and password to log in.
  4. In the router’s configuration, you must find the option that allows you to open ports.
  5. This option is referred to differently depending on your router’s brand. It will either be NAT, virtual servers, or port forwarding.
  6. These settings are typically found in the advanced section of your router configuration.
  7. Once you find the settings, enter the port numbers for Steam that were provided earlier.
  8. Don’t forget to save your settings and reboot your router.
Port forward
Adding Steam’s port numbers in the router configuration (Image: eXputer)

I’ve opened several network ports for various games and successfully resolved most network-related errors. This method is proven and tested.

Reference: Valve’s official recommendation is outlined in this post, which is to open the necessary network ports so that Steam can function as intended.

Use A Different Network Connection

At this point, Steam may have soft-banned your network’s IP address or the entire IP range. Regardless of your efforts, you won’t be able to access your account until the ban is lifted.

There are only two ways to work around this problem:

  1. Using another internet connection.
  2. Contacting Steam’s customer support.

First, verify if an IP ban is actually what’s causing your Steam error code e87. You can do this by switching to a different network connection.

If you have an IP ban and think this could be a mistake, you must contact Steam’s official customer support and explain the problem. As you can’t access the support page from the Steam client, you must go to this website and select the relevant issue to contact Steam’s customer support.

Contacting Steam support through the website
Contacting Steam support through the website (Screenshot by eXputer)

In my experience, Steam’s customer support is great and cooperative. Therefore, you should not have too much trouble with them, as long as you honestly explain your problem.

Did You Fix Steam Error Code E87?

Many players encounter similar login errors to code e87. However, most of these errors are less frustrating or confusing than error code e87, which typically signals a network problem rather than incorrect login credentials. Regardless, not being able to log into your Steam account means you won’t be able to play any of your games either. 

Thanks to this guide, however, you can say goodbye to the Steam error code e87 forever. If you have trouble launching Steam games, check out How To Fix Steam Error 29 In 2024.

FAQs

What is Steam Error Code E87?

Steam Error Code E87 is an error that prevents players from signing into their Steam accounts.

How can I fix Steam error e87?

The steps to fix Error E87 include deleting the Steam package folder, using the noreactlogin command, disabling antivirus software temporarily, opening essential network ports, and trying a different network connection.

What should I do if Steam error e87 persists after trying all the solutions?

This likely means that Valve put a soft ban on your IP address. In this case, you must contact the official Steam customer support.

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Haider Khan is our error guides writer who loves to tinker around with operating systems and game files to find practical solutions to video game issues. He then crafts easy-to-follow error fix guides based on his findings. He’s also a Battlefield veteran who likes to rack up some Ws in his spare time. Learn some more about his gaming journey on his Steam profile. Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Journalism || Successfully Troubleshot Over 200 Games || Mainly Covers Error Fix & Game Settings 

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