With over 120 million monthly active users, Steam is undoubtedly one of the largest digital distribution platforms for PC games. The Steam mobile app allows users to securely access their game libraries on the go and remotely manage their accounts. However, users sometimes encounter frustrating error messages like the infamous “Error from ValidatePassword2” when trying to log in through the mobile app.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain what’s behind this validation error, when it typically occurs, and how you can resolve it to restore access on your iOS or Android device. I’ll also share some best practices to avoid similar issues when changing your Steam password.
Understanding the ValidatePassword2 Error
The “Error from ValidatePassword2” message means Steam is unable to verify your log-in password. This is often caused by a recent change to your Steam account credentials.
When you update your password or email on Steam, it invalidates previous login tokens associated with Steam Guard, the two-factor authentication system that provides enhanced security. Unless you complete additional steps to re-sync your mobile app, Steam can no longer validate your credentials and will return the ValidationPassword2 error.
While inconvenient, this error stems from Steam Guard working as intended to protect your account. Without re-authenticating, a password change would leave your account vulnerable on any devices with cached credentials. Let’s look at the typical cases when you might encounter this:
- After manually changing your Steam password for security purposes
- When resetting a forgotten Steam password
- Updating your account email address
- Enabling Steam Guard for the first time
Note that this affects only the Steam mobile apps for iOS and Android. The underlying authentication issue does not impact logging in directly through the Steam client or website interfaces.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Steam Validation Error
When you see the “Error from ValidatePassword2” message, follow these steps to get the Steam mobile app working again:
1. Launch the Steam Mobile App and Tap the Steam Guard Icon
Open the Steam app and tap the Steam Guard icon on the bottom navigation bar (shaped like a phone with a key).
2. Select your Account and Choose “Add Account”
On the Steam Guard screen, tap your account name followed by the “Add Account” button below it.
3. Log In and Choose to Move Your Steam Authenticator
Sign in with your Steam account credentials. On the next screen, tap “Move Steam Authenticator” to transfer the authentication to your mobile device.
4. Enter the Code and Verify It
Check your registered email for the verification code Steam sent. Enter this code in the app and tap “Verify”.
5. Confirm the Code and Select Done
Double check the code Steam displays matches the emailed one. Tap “Done” to complete relinking your account.
After following these steps, the app should function normally again. The process simply reestablishes the severed link between your Steam account and the mobile app.
Consider writing down the account recovery code provided when you re-add the mobile authenticator. This acts as a backup in case you ever need to repeat the process.
Additional Solutions to Try
In some cases, you may need to take further troubleshooting steps:
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Uninstall and reinstall the Steam mobile app – After uninstalling the app, download it again from the App Store or Play Store and attempt logging in afresh.
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Change your password or log-in credentials – Modifying your password slightly or resetting it often resolves any lingering issues.
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Contact Steam Support – If the problem persists, reach out to Steam’s customer support. They can manually authenticate your account.
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Review account security settings – Check that your secret question, email, and two-factor authentication are properly configured.
Avoiding Authentication Problems When Changing Passwords
To prevent the ValidationPassword2 issue in the future when updating credentials, keep these best practices in mind:
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Update your Steam app first – Open the mobile app and re-authenticate via Steam Guard before changing your password.
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Avoid frequent password changes – Set a strong password that doesn’t require regular refreshing for safety.
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Record your recovery code – Keep the Steam Guard recovery code handy as backup if you need to re-link devices later.
Following these tips will help maintain seamless access to your Steam library and community no matter where you are. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
