Steam Servers Are Currently Unavailable or Too Busy

I receive the message The Steam Servers are currently unavailable. Please try again later. or The Steam Servers are too busy while using Steam - what should I do?

Error Code 53

This error can often be resolved by disabling background programs that may interfere with Steam. If you are running McAfee, please try disabling real-time scanning and launching your game again.

Change your Download Region

Try changing your Download Region to see if it affects the issue:

On Windows

1. Start Steam
2. Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads tab
3. Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
4. Try launching or installing the game once more 

On Mac

1. Start Steam
2. Click on Steam > Preferences > Downloads tab
3. Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
4. Try launching or installing the game once more 

Repairing corrupted Steam files

It is possible that over time your Steam files have become corrupted. Try the following to repair your Steam files.

On Windows

To fix this error use the following steps:

• Exit Steam
• Navigate to your Steam installation directory. (C:\Program Files\Steam\ by default.)
• Delete everything in that directory EXCEPT the following:
  • steam.exe
  • steamapps directory (All of Steam's game files are kept here.)
• Restart Steam to test the issue

On Mac

To fix this error use the following steps:

• Exit Steam
• Navigate to Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam
• Delete everything in that directory except for the Steamapps folder (Note: you may lose mods or custom content with this method)
• Launch Steam from your Dock or Applications folder

Connection Issues

Many Steam issues can be caused by a firewall, anti-virus, or a problem with your router or internet connection.

Please use the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity guide to ensure that your network is properly configured for use with Steam.

Disable any programs which interfere with Steam

Please consult the topic linked below and make sure any programs on the list are either disabled or uninstalled:
Programs Which Interfere with Steam

Remove Spyware, Adware, and Viruses

If the issue persists it is possible that a virus, adware, or spyware may be interfering with the installation process. Please see the topic linked below for instructions to remove the offending program:
Spyware, Malware, Adware, and Viruses Interfering with Steam

Steam Network Outage

If the Steam Network is experiencing a large amount of traffic or if the network is temporarily off-line, you may not be able to use Steam immediately. Please follow the link below to check the Steam Network Status page:

Steam Network Status

Recent purchase not recognized yet

If you experience this error while trying to install or register a game, log out of Steam and log back in to determine whether or not your purchase was successfully processed:

1. Right click the Steam icon
2. Select the Settings option, then Log in as a different user...

After Steam restarts you will be prompted for your username and password. After logging in you should be able to download and/or install the games.
 

Empire: Total War

If you are receiving this error when attempting to install or launch this game, it may be a result of activating an extra content key (Additional units, etc) without activating the primary key for this game. Please make sure you have activated the CD Key found on the back cover of the game manual.