Fix Steam Error Code 105: Unable to Connect to Server (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You are ready to grab that game on sale, you open the Store tab, and... darkness. Just a black screen with the message: Error Code: -105 Unable to connect to server. It is incredibly annoying because your Friends list might still work, but the Store is dead. This isn't usually a Steam server crash; it's almost always a 'traffic jam' in your local internet settings.

Table of Contents

What is Error 105?

This is strictly a DNS (Domain Name System) error. Think of it like this: your computer knows where 'Steam' is, but it forgot the specific address for the 'Store' section. This happens when:

  • Your ISP's DNS server is slow or blocking the connection.
  • You have an AdBlocker running that accidentally flagged Steam as an ad.
  • Your local network cache is corrupted.

Method 1: Flush Your DNS (The Magic Fix)

This clears out the 'phonebook' your computer uses to find websites. It fixes Error 105 about 90% of the time.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Press the Windows Key, type cmd, and click Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Enter the Command

Type this exact command and hit Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns
Note: You should see a message saying 'Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache'.

Step 3: Restart Steam

Close Steam completely (check your taskbar) and open it again. The Store should load now.

Method 2: Check Proxy Settings

Sometimes, malware or a bad VPN setting turns on a 'Proxy' in Windows, which blocks Steam.

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to Network & Internet > Proxy.

Step 2: Toggle Off

Make sure 'Use a proxy server' is turned OFF. If it was on, that was definitely the problem.