solve steam steamui dll fatal error

How to Solve Steam Failed to Load Steamui.dll Fatal Error

Steamui.dll file is important to make the Windows programs and services run properly. If, when you try to run Sims 4, FIFA 13 or, for example, Crysis 3, you get a system message stating the error of the rld.dll file, it means that it is missing on your computer or has been damaged by viruses. This Steam error is quite common and there are many ways to solve it. It is about them that will be described in the article.

Lots of users are troubled by the failed to load steamui.dll error. After analyzing serval posts and reports, we summarize the following major causes behind the error:

  • The steamui.dll file is deleted accidently. For this, you can recover it using a professional software.
  • Outdated device drivers are responsible for Steam failed to load steamui.dll error.
  • Corrupt hard drive and RAM can also trigger the Steamui.dll fatal error.
  • The Steamui.dll file is damaged by a virus.

Solution 1. Remove the Libswscale-3.dll File and Staemui.dll File

In some cases, the crashed libswscale-3.dll and steamui.dll file can cause the Steam failed to load steamui.dll. Deleting the files will automatically replace the files with new ones when relaunching Steam. For that:

Step 1. Right-click the Steam shortcut and select Properties.

Step 2. Navigate to the Shortcut tab and click Open File Location.

Solution No 1 - Remove the Libswscale-3.dll File and Staemui.dll File
Steam – Shortcut Properties

Step 3. Select the libswscale-3.dll and SteamUI.dll and press Delete key.

Step 4. Relaunch your Steam and see if the error is fixed.

Solution 2. Reinstall Steam Client

Reinstalling Steam will replace all the corrupt steamui.dll file with new one. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run box, and then type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.

Solution No 2 -  Reinstall Steam Client

Note: Please back up the Steamapps folder before the following steps. This folder is usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps.

Step 2. Right click the Steam from listed programs and select Uninstall.

Step 3. Click here to download the latest Steam version and reinstall it to your computer.

Step 4. Restore the Steamapps folder that you just backed up to the Steam directory.

Solution 3. Clear Steam Download Cache

It has been proven by some users that clearing download cache can help fix the “failed to load steamui.dll Steam fatal error”. You may have a try.

Step 1. Launch Steam client, and then click on Steam > Settings.

Step 2. Go to the Download tab and click Clear Download Cache on the left pane.

Solution No 3 - Clear Steam Download Cache
Click Clear Download Cache

Step 3. Click OK to clear the download cache.

Solution No 3 - Clear Steam Download Cache (2)
Clear Download Cache

Step 4. Reboot your computer to execute the change and see if the Steam fatal error is resolved.

Solution 4. Update or Roll Back the Device Driver 

Outdated device drivers can cause many issues such as failed exeplorer.exe system call and the Steamui.dll fatal error. To fix the error, you can try updating or rolling back the device drivers.

Step 1. Right click the Start menu and select Device manager from context menu.

Step 2. Expand the Display adapters category, and then right click the device driver and select Update driver.

Solution No 4 - Update or Roll Back the Device Driver
Expand the Display adapters

Step 3. Then you can update the driver automatically or manually. Choose one based on your need. After the update is complete, check if the problem is resolved.

Solution No 4 - Update or Roll Back the Device Driver  (2)
update the driver automatically or manually

Alternatively, you can select Roll Back Driver at Step 2 to restore its previous version.

Solution 5. Perform a System Restore

If you encounter the “failed to load steamui.dll fatal error” after updating Windows. Probably the updated configurations is incompatible with Steam. For this, you can perform a system restore.

Step 1. Open your Control Panel and select System and Security.

Solution No 5 -  Perform a System Restore
System and Security

Step 2. Select System > System protection in the pop-up window.

Step 3. Click System Restore the System Properties window.

Solution No 5 -  Perform a System Restore (2)
System Restore

Step 4. Tick the checkbox for Show more restore points. Select a Restore point and click Next.

Solution No 5 -  Perform a System Restore (3)
Select a Restore point and click Next

Step 5. Click Finish to confirm the restore.

Solution No 5 -  Perform a System Restore (4)
Finish to confirm

Solution 6. Re-register the Steamui.dll File

Re-registering Steamui.dll file can repair the file corruption. Before re-registering, please make a backup of the partition with Seam folder saved. Then follow the steps below to start re-registering.

Step 1. Right click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2. Type the regsvr32 steamui.dll command and hit Enter.

Solution No 6 -  Re-register the Steamui.dll File
Type command and hit Enter

Now, reboot your PC and see if the steamui.dll error is fixed.

Solution 7. Delete the Steam Beta Version

Some users reported that the Beta version also lead to the Steamui.dll fatal error. For this, you just need to delete the Steam Beta version.

Step 1. Press Win + E keys to open your File Explorer and find the Package folder in Steam directory.

Step 2. Select the file named Beta and press Delete.

 Solution No 7 - Delete the Steam Beta Version
Delete Beta File

Step 3. Reboot your computer and restart your Steam.

Solution 8. Perform a Full Malware Scan

As mentioned above, the virus or malware in your system will damage the steamui.dll file. Here you can use Windows Defender virus to scan malware of your entire system.

Step 1. Open the Windows Defender via the search box.

Step 2. Go to Virus & threat protect tab and then click on Run a new advanced scan button.

Solution No 8 - Perform a Full Malware Scan
Run a new advanced scan

Step 3. Select Full scan and click the Scan now button. Then wait for the scan to complete.

Solution No 8 - Perform a Full Malware Scan (2)
Scan now

Also read: What is factoring? Its types and features.