Change your Steam password from your account settings
You can change your Steam password by logging into your account on the Steam website, going to your Account menu, and selecting the option to change your password. Steam will ask you to enter your current password, then your new password twice. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll stay logged in on that device — but you may be logged out on other devices depending on your security settings.
The process takes about two minutes and requires nothing but your current password. You don't need to uninstall Steam, restart your computer, or contact Steam Support unless something goes wrong during the change itself.
Key Takeaways
- Go to the Steam website, log in, and find Account Details under your account name to change your password.
- You must enter your current password before Steam will let you create a new one.
- If you've forgotten your current password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the Steam login page instead of trying to change it.
- Changing your password does not affect your game library, friends list, or any saved game files.
- If you use Steam Guard (two-factor authentication), you'll need to enter a code from your email or authenticator app to confirm the password change.
Step-by-step: changing your password on the Steam website
Step 1: Go to steampowered.com and log in. Open your web browser and navigate to the Steam website. Click the "Login" button in the top right corner and enter your username and password. If you're already logged in, skip this step.
Step 2: Open your account menu. Once logged in, look for your username in the top right corner of the page. Click on it to open a dropdown menu. Select "Account" from the list that appears.
Step 3: Find the password change option. On your Account page, look for a section called "Account Details" or "Login & Security" (the exact name varies slightly). You should see a line that says "Password" with a button or link next to it that says "Change" or a pencil icon. Click that button.
Step 4: Enter your current password and new password. Steam will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in the field provided. Then enter your new password in the next field. Type it again in the "Confirm new password" field to make sure there are no typos. Click "Change Password" or "Save" to finish.
What happens if you use Steam Guard
If you have Steam Guard turned on (which protects your account with a code sent to your email or generated by an authenticator app), Steam will ask you to enter that code before confirming your password change. Check your email for a message from Steam, or open your authenticator app if you use one, and enter the code when prompted.
This extra step is a security feature — it makes sure that only you can change your password, even if someone else somehow got into your account temporarily. The code is usually valid for about 15 minutes, so don't wait too long to enter it.
Changing your password on the Steam desktop app
You cannot change your password directly in the Steam desktop process. You must use the Steam website (steampowered.com) to make the change. However, once you've changed your password on the website, you can log back into the Steam app with your new password the next time you launch it.
If the Steam app asks you to log in again after you change your password, straightforward enter your new password and click "Login." You don't need to do anything special — the app will recognize the new password automatically.
What to do if you've forgotten your current password
If you can't remember your current password, you cannot use the password change process. Instead, go to the Steam login page and click "I forgot my password" below the login fields. Steam will send you a password reset email to the address associated with your account. Click the link in that email to create a new password.
The reset link is usually valid for 24 hours. If you don't see the email, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes password reset emails get filtered there. If you still can't find it after 24 hours, you can request another reset email from the login page.
Why your password change might not work
The most common reason a password change fails is that you typed your current password incorrectly. Steam is strict about this — it must match exactly, including uppercase and lowercase letters. If you see an error message, try again and make sure Caps Lock is not on.
Another reason is that your new password doesn't meet Steam's requirements. Steam requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and to include both letters and numbers (or letters and special characters like ! or @). If your new password is too short or contains only letters, Steam will reject it and tell you why.
If you're using Steam Guard and the code expires before you enter it, you'll need to start the password change process over. Request a new code and try again — there's no limit to how many times you can try.
What happens to your other devices after you change your password
When you change your password, you stay logged in on the device where you made the change. On other computers or phones where you're logged into Steam, you may be logged out automatically — this depends on your account security settings. If you are logged out, you'll need to enter your new password the next time you open the Steam app on that device.
This is normal and intentional. If you think someone else has access to one of your devices, changing your password and getting logged out of that device is actually a good thing — it forces them to log in again with the new password they don't know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my password from my phone?
Yes. Open a web browser on your phone, go to steampowered.com, log in, and follow the same steps as on a computer. The Steam mobile app itself doesn't have a password change option, but the website works the same way on any device.
Will changing my password delete my games or friends list?
No. Your password change affects only your login credentials. Your game library, friends, achievements, and all other account data remain exactly as they were. You don't lose anything by changing your password.
How often should I change my Steam password?
There's no requirement to change it regularly. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you use the same password on multiple websites, or if you haven't changed it in several years. For most people, changing it once every year or two is reasonable.
What if I get an error message saying "too many attempts"?
Steam temporarily locks you out of password changes if you try too many times in a short period. Wait a few hours and try again. This is a security feature to prevent someone from guessing your password repeatedly.
Do I need to change my password if I change my email address?
No. Changing your email address and changing your password are separate actions. You can do either one without affecting the other. However, if your email was compromised, changing your password is a good idea.