FiveM "Steam is not running" or "Steam authentication failed": how to fix it

Some servers read your Steam account when you connect. If FiveM cannot see Steam, or Steam fails to hand over a valid login, you get a Steam error and the connection is refused. This is almost always a local problem on your PC.

Fixes, in order

1. Fully close FiveM and Steam. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), end any leftover Steam or FiveM processes, then start Steam first.
2. Make sure you are logged in to Steam and not in Offline Mode. Wait until Steam finishes loading, then open FiveM.
3. Run Steam and FiveM the same way. If one runs as administrator and the other does not, they cannot talk to each other. Run both normally, or both as administrator.
4. Restart your PC if the error keeps coming back.
5. Sign out of Steam, sign back in, then try again.
6. Update Steam from Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates.

If it still fails

• Turn off any VPN while you connect.
• Check that your PC date and time are set automatically; a wrong clock breaks logins.
• Open a support ticket on Discord and include a screenshot of the full error.