Steam App OSX Stuck in Offline Mode

I wanted to update Steam to purchase some games in the annual sale, and unfortunately due to some proxy-related configurations it was forced into offline mode. When the system came back, the error indicated that steam was in offline mode, but had to be in online mode to update, then it quit. Very annoying, since changing to online mode requires you to be in the steam application.

I found the solution, you go to:
/Users/$yourusername/Library/Application Support/Steam/ and locate registry.vdf

The variable you need to set is Registry / HKCU / Software / Valve / Steam / Offline, which you set to "0".

Pretty surprising to see that Steam just ports what seems to be the windows Registry format over for configuration, but it seems to work (mostly :) )

Popularity: 38% [?]

  • wookaru

    Thanks! Fixed my issue perfectly.

  • CarthaginianPeace

    its already set to 0 though, what do i do then?

  • taht guy

    what do you use to open locate registry.vdf

  • Bobbob

    nvm how do you edit the text

  • Bobobbo

    I got thanks so much

  • Portal Man

    Worked like a charm ;)

  • 13lofgrenaj1

    YOU ARE MY HERO MAN I LOVE U!!

  • 13lofgrenaj1

    YOU ARE MY HERO MAN I LOVE U!!

  • Arno Hebb

     When I want to play on the schoolnetwork, I have to set Steam to offline mode. So every time I want to play at home again, I have to do this??

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1525800482 Kyle Arnold

    where do i type it in. I pasted it on finder and it didn’t pull up with anything

  • Sdfadf

    has this changed with osx lion? i cant find the Users folder, and did a search for steam and registry.vdf and cant find either folder/file

  • Coolkid12549

    Yeah same

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=653256535 Paul Hainsworth

    This does work in lion
    what you need to do
    1. open a finder window
    2. hold down the option key
    click GO
    you’ll see access to the library button, then follow above steps (I opened the file in text editor and changed the 1 to a 0.. now downloading a 30mb update :)

  • SploopBaDoop

    What if you are trying to install it for the first time?

  • http://twitter.com/KristofferML Kristoffer Mührmann

    This is gonna sound stupid, but what is the “OG” button? i tried “enter/return” but that didn’t do anything, neither did space or other key of that type. so what am I (a slightly retarded monkey) gonna do?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=653256535 Paul Hainsworth

    When your on the desktop and near the apple logo it says “finder” look to your right and you will see the GO button (menu), when you click that and hold down the option key, it will appear

  • http://twitter.com/KristofferML Kristoffer Mührmann

    Ahh thank you kind sir. I am most grateful!

  • Iiteddy29

    what do u change to o? and is it o or Zero?

  • Alejodp93

    yeah i have the same problem, im trying to install it for the first time so there is no Steam folder

  • Unodostrescatorce4

    I cant seem to find the registry.vdf file at all, i just installed it with FM2012, my application support folder is empty for steam

  • Duffy_x

    I get the you are not connected message Ive just downloaded steam for the first time on mac and it wont let me open.I went to library/application support but theres no steam file there so i cant find registy

  • John

    Have you figured it out? I’ve got the same problem as well. F’in sucks

  • :D:D:D:D:D

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU!!!!

  • MCKC_WHITE_TIGER_ZZ

    what do you open the vdf file with?
    i double click it and it comes up with a box asking me what i want to open the file with

  • Ikillednatalieholloway

    Jeez, talk about a bitch, thanks for the help

  • http://twitter.com/mohinish mohinish

    Here’s a workaround for first-time install: Create the directory /Users/~/Library/Application Support/Steam and create a file called registry.vdf and then paste into it the stuff below (I used smultron for editing).

    Then try re-running.. it worked for me ;)

    -Mo”Registry”{“HKCU”{“Software”{“Valve”{“Steam”{“Language” “english”"Offline”   “0″
    }
    }
    }
    }
    }

  • Nickdanana

    wont work for regestry so can you tell me what it says?

  • Icalasari

    It isn’t working. It just changes it back to 1 =/