Change your password through Steam's account settings
Open Steam on your computer and log in. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, find the Password section and click Change Password. Steam will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click Save Changes when you're done.
Your new password takes effect when ready. You'll stay logged in on that computer, but Steam will ask you to log in again on any other devices the next time you use them. This is normal security behavior — it forces you to prove you have the new password before accessing your account elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- You change your password by going to Account settings in the Steam client, not through a web browser.
- Steam requires you to enter your current password before setting a new one, so you must remember what it is now.
- After you change your password, you'll need to log in again on any other computers or phones where you use Steam.
- If you've forgotten your current password, use the password reset option on the Steam login screen instead of trying to change it in settings.
What to do if you forgot your current password
If you can't remember your current password, you can't change it through Account settings — Steam requires the old one first. Instead, go to the Steam login page on your web browser and click Forgot your password? below the login fields. Enter your account name or the email address linked to your Steam account.
Steam will send a password reset link to that email address. Click the link in the email, and you'll be taken to a page where you can set a completely new password. This reset link expires after a few hours, so check your email soon after requesting it. Once you've set a new password through the email link, you can log back into Steam normally.
Creating a strong password you won't forget
A strong Steam password uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like BlueMountain#7Cabin rather than just password123. Avoid using your username, your real name, or words that appear in a dictionary by themselves. Steam doesn't have a specific length requirement, but 12 characters or longer is harder to guess.
Write your new password down and store it somewhere safe — a locked drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or even a physical notebook kept at home. Don't email it to yourself or text it to anyone. If you use the same password on multiple websites, change it to something unique to Steam so that if one site gets hacked, your Steam account stays protected.
Logging in again on other devices after changing your password
When you change your password, Steam logs you out of every device except the one you're currently using. The next time you open Steam on your phone, tablet, or another computer, you'll see the login screen. Enter your account name and your new password — the old password won't work anymore.
If you have Steam Guard enabled (a security feature that sends a code to your email when you log in from a new device), you'll need to enter that code as well. Check the email address linked to your Steam account for the code. This extra step protects your account if someone else tries to log in, even if they somehow get your password.
Enabling two-factor authentication for extra security
After you've changed your password, consider turning on Steam Guard for additional protection. With Steam Guard active, Steam sends a security code to your email whenever you log in from a device it doesn't recognize. You enter that code before you can access your account, which means a password alone isn't enough for someone to break in.
To enable Steam Guard, go to Account settings, find the Steam Guard section, and click Manage Steam Guard. Choose email-based authentication (the most common option), and Steam will send you a test code to confirm your email works. You can also use the Steam Mobile Authenticator app if you want codes sent to your phone instead, but email-based Steam Guard is simpler for most people.
What happens if your account gets hacked
If you suspect someone else has accessed your Steam account, change your password when ready using the "Forgot your password?" reset link on the login page — don't wait to change it through Account settings. Then check your email address and phone number in Account settings to make sure they haven't been changed. If they have, change them back right away.
Visit the Devices section in Account settings to see every computer and phone that's logged into your account. If you see devices you don't recognize, click the X next to them to log them out. After that, enable Steam Guard if you haven't already. If you've lost items from your inventory or your account has been used to send messages you didn't write, contact Steam Support through the Help section of the Steam client to report the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my password if I just want to add an email address to my account?
No. Adding or changing your email address is separate from your password. Go to Account settings, find the Contact Email section, and update it there. Your password stays the same unless you choose to change it.
Will changing my password delete my games or game saves?
No. Your games, saves, and inventory are tied to your account, not your password. Changing your password only affects how you log in — everything else stays exactly as it was.
How often should I change my Steam password?
You don't need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you've used the same password on another website that got hacked, or if you haven't changed it in several years. Enabling Steam Guard is more important than changing your password frequently.
Can I change my password on the Steam mobile app?
No. The Steam mobile app doesn't have a password change option. You have to use the Steam client on a computer or go to the Steam website to change your password.
What if I get an error message when I try to change my password?
The most common error is entering your current password incorrectly — make sure Caps Lock isn't on and that you're typing it exactly as you set it. If you're still stuck, use the "Forgot your password?" reset link instead. If errors keep happening, restart the Steam client and try again.