Finding your Steam username if you still have access
Your Steam username is visible in the top-right corner of the Steam client when you are logged in. Click your account name — it appears next to your avatar. The dropdown menu shows your username, which is the name you chose when you created your account, not your real name or email address.
If you are on the Steam website instead of the desktop app, log in and look at the top-right corner. Your username appears there as well. You can also find it by going to your profile: click your username, then select "Profile" from the menu. Your profile URL contains your username or a numeric ID, depending on how you set up your account.
Write down your username exactly as it appears — capitalization and spacing matter when you log in on a new device or after clearing your browser cache.
Key Takeaways
- Your Steam username is shown in the top-right corner of the Steam client or website when you are already logged in.
- If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the login screen to reset it via email.
- Steam sends password reset links only to the email address tied to your account, so you must have access to that email.
- If you cannot access your account email, Steam Support can verify your identity through security questions or phone number before allowing a reset.
- Two-factor authentication (Steam Guard) will block login attempts from new devices until you enter a code from your phone or email.
Resetting your password when you are locked out
Go to the Steam login page and click "Forgot your password?" below the password field. Enter your username or the email address associated with your account. Steam sends a password reset link to that email address — check your inbox and your spam folder, as the email sometimes lands there.
Click the link in the email. It takes you to a page where you create a new password. Steam requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. After you set your new password, you can log in when ready on any device.
The reset link expires after a set time — usually a few hours. If the link no longer works, go back to the login page and request a new one.
What to do if you cannot access your account email
If the email address on your Steam account no longer exists or you no longer have access to it, you cannot reset your password through the normal process. Instead, contact Steam Support directly by going to help.steampowered.com and selecting "I forgot my password" or "I can't access my account."
Steam Support will ask you to verify your identity. They may ask security questions you answered when you created the account, details about games you own, payment methods you have used, or the phone number associated with your account. Answer as accurately as you can — the more details you provide, the faster the process moves.
Once Steam Support confirms your identity, they can update your account email address and send you a password reset link to a new email. This process typically takes one to three business days.
Understanding Steam Guard and two-factor authentication
Steam Guard is a security feature that requires you to enter a code when you log in from a new device or browser. If you have Steam Guard enabled, logging in from a new location will prompt you for a code sent to your email address or generated by the Steam Mobile App.
If you are trying to log in from a new device and you do not have access to the email or phone number on file, you will be locked out. You can wait 7 days for Steam to allow login without the code, or you can contact Steam Support to verify your identity and disable Steam Guard temporarily.
Steam Guard protects your account from unauthorized access, but it also means you need to keep your recovery email and phone number current. If you change your email address or phone number, update it in your Steam account settings under "Account" > "Contact Information."
Keeping your username and password find
Use a unique password for Steam — do not reuse the password from other websites or services. If another site is breached and your password is exposed, hackers will try that same password on Steam and other accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass stores unique passwords for each site so you only have to remember one master password.
Enable Steam Guard in your account settings. It adds a step to login, but it stops someone who knows your password from accessing your account on a new device. The code expires after a short time, so the attacker cannot use an old code.
Do not share your username or password with anyone, even if they claim to be from Steam Support. Valve employees never ask for passwords. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Steam and asking for your login details, it is a scam.
What happens if your account is compromised
If you notice login activity you do not recognize, or if your password no longer works, change your password when ready using the "Forgot your password?" process. Then go to your account settings and review "Devices" to see which computers and phones have logged in. Remove any device you do not recognize.
Check your email and phone number in account settings to make sure they have not been changed. If they have, change them back and find the email address itself — the attacker may have access to it.
If your account was used to make purchases you did not authorize, contact Steam Support with details of the unauthorized transactions. Steam can sometimes reverse fraudulent purchases, though the process depends on when the purchase was made and whether the game has been played.
Recovering a very old account you have not used in years
If you have not logged into Steam in many years and you cannot remember your username or password, start by trying to log in with the email address you used when you created the account. If that does not work, use "Forgot your password?" to send a reset link to that email.
If you no longer have access to the original email address, Steam Support can help, but the process takes longer because they have to verify your identity using older information. Have ready any details you remember: the approximate year you created the account, games you purchased, payment methods you used, or the phone number you may have added later.
Accounts that have been inactive for years are not deleted, but they may have restrictions placed on them for security reasons. Once you regain access, you can use the account normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username after I create it?
Your account name (the one you log in with) cannot be changed. However, your display name — the name other players see on your profile — can be changed anytime in your profile settings. If you want a different login username, you would need to create a new Steam account.
What if I never set a password because I used a social login like Google or Facebook?
You can still log in using that social account. To set a password so you can log in without the social service, go to your account settings, select "Change Password," and create one. Then you can log in with either your username and password or your social account.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you have access to your account email, you can reset your password within minutes — just click the link in the email and create a new one. If you need Steam Support to verify your identity, the process takes one to three business days.
Will resetting my password log me out on other devices?
Resetting your password does not automatically log you out on devices where you are already logged in. However, the next time you try to log in on a new device or after clearing your browser cache, you will need to use your new password. If you think your account is compromised, you can manually log out of all active sessions in your account settings under "Devices."
What if Steam Support asks me questions I cannot answer?
Answer as accurately as you can with the information you remember. If you cannot recall specific details, explain what you do remember — the approximate year you created the account, games you own, or payment methods you used. Steam Support uses multiple pieces of information to verify identity, not just one answer, so partial information can still help.