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#1 2026-04-27 05:24:41
- kranos86
- Member
- Registered: 2026-04-27
- Posts: 3
[SOLVED] Steam unable to launch: steam webhelper is not responding
I have a similar problem as this post, but without the same cause.
I'm unable to launch Steam because "steamwebhelper, a critical Steam component, is not responding. The Steam UI will not be usable." Steam used to run just fine. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure when it stopped working, because I didn't try to launch it for a few weeks.
Trying to launch Steam from the terminal reveals steamwebhelper tries to launch multiple times, but nothing happens. Eventually, a window pops up with the aforementioned error message. Options to restart Steam, restart Steam with GPU Acceleration disabled, restart Steam with Browser Sandboxing disabled, restart steamwebhelper, and exit Steam are presented. The first four restart Steam without changing the result. The fifth option successfully exits Steam.
I've tried to track down the problem on my own, but I'm not skilled enough at reading all the logs to identify what is and what isn't a problem. I suspect it might be an error in my graphics driver. I'm also experiencing a couple of problems with Firefox that also seem to be related to hardware video acceleration (the problems go away when I disable HVA); trying and failing to launch Steam sometimes affects Firefox's ability to handle HVA or open a new window. That however is another problem for another post.
I have an NVIDIA GTX 970 GPU running the "nvidia-580xx-dkms" driver (and accompanying "nvidia-580xx-utils", "lib32-nvidia-580xx-utils", and "nvidia-580xx-settings", as required by this Arch News post.
Troubleshooting steps I've tried so far:
Uninstalling and reinstalling steam.
Switching between the linux 6.19.14.arch1-1 and the linux-lts 6.18.24-1 kernels.
Downgrading the "nvidia-580xx-dkms 580.142-3" driver and utilities to versions 580.126.18, 580.126.9, and 580.119.02.
Launching Steam with the "-no-cef-sandbox", "-cef-disable-gpu-compositing", and "-cef-disable-gpu" launch options.
I tried, but was unable to install "steam-native" because of mismatched dependencies.
Using the steam flatpak.
Purging steam's "httpcache" and the entire ".steam" folder.
Based on this post, I checked for altered files in "lib32-mesa", but didn't find any, so my problem isn't quite the same.
If anyone could help me narrow down what's happening, I'd be grateful.
I'm including some of the common command outputs and logs I see people suggesting.
fastfetch
-` ken@Bahamut
.o+` -----------
`ooo/ OS: Arch Linux x86_64
`+oooo: Host: GA-970A-D3
`+oooooo: Kernel: Linux 6.18.24-1-lts
-+oooooo+: Uptime: 2 hours, 58 mins
`/:-:++oooo+: Packages: 1548 (pacman)
`/++++/+++++++: Shell: bash 5.3.9
`/++++++++++++++: Display (HP P224): 1920x1080 in 22", 60 Hz [External]
`/+++ooooooooooooo/` WM: Sway 1.11 (Wayland)
./ooosssso++osssssso+` Theme: Adwaita [Qt], Adwaita [GTK2/3]
.oossssso-````/ossssss+` Icons: Adwaita [Qt], Adwaita [GTK2/3]
-osssssso. :ssssssso. Font: Sans (11pt) [Qt], DejaVu Sans (12pt) [GTK2/3]
:osssssss/ osssso+++. Cursor: Adwaita
/ossssssss/ +ssssooo/- Terminal: foot 1.26.1
`/ossssso+/:- -:/+osssso+- Terminal Font: monospace (12pt)
`+sso+:-` `.-/+oso: CPU: AMD FX(tm)-6100 (6) @ 3.00 GHz
`++:. `-/+/ GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 [Discrete]
.` `/ Memory: 3.77 GiB / 15.59 GiB (24%)
Swap: 4.00 KiB / 7.45 GiB (0%)
Disk (/): 180.16 GiB / 219.00 GiB (82%) - ext4
Disk (/run/media/ken/FAHRENHEIT): 29.79 GiB / 29.80 GiB (100%) - vfat
Disk (/run/media/ken/Ixion): 187.97 GiB / 219.00 GiB (86%) - ext4
Disk (/run/media/ken/Valefor): 386.90 GiB / 458.31 GiB (84%) - fuseblk
Local IP (enp4s0): 192.168.1.155/24
Locale: en_US.UTF-8pacman -Qs nvidia
local/egl-gbm 1.1.3-1
The GBM EGL external platform library
local/egl-wayland 4:1.1.21-1
EGLStream-based Wayland external platform
local/egl-wayland2 1.0.1-1
EGLStream-based Wayland external platform (2)
local/egl-x11 1.0.5-1
NVIDIA XLib and XCB EGL Platform Library
local/ffnvcodec-headers 13.0.19.0-1
FFmpeg version of headers required to interface with Nvidias codec APIs
local/lib32-libvdpau 1.5-3
Nvidia VDPAU library
local/lib32-nvidia-580xx-utils 580.142-1
NVIDIA drivers utilities (32-bit) (580xx)
local/libva-nvidia-driver 0.0.16-1
VA-API implementation that uses NVDEC as a backend
local/libvdpau 1.5-4
Nvidia VDPAU library
local/libxnvctrl-580xx 580.142-1
NVIDIA NV-CONTROL X extension (580xx)
local/linux-firmware-nvidia 20260410-1
Firmware files for Linux - Firmware for NVIDIA GPUs and SoCs
local/nvidia-580xx-dkms 580.142-3
NVIDIA kernel modules - module sources (580xx)
local/nvidia-580xx-settings 580.142-1
Tool for configuring the NVIDIA graphics driver (580xx)
local/nvidia-580xx-utils 580.142-3
NVIDIA drivers utilities (580xx)vainfo
Trying display: wayland
vainfo: VA-API version: 1.23 (libva 2.22.0)
vainfo: Driver version: VA-API NVDEC driver [direct backend]
vainfo: Supported profile and entrypoints
VAProfileMPEG2Simple : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileMPEG2Main : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileVC1Simple : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileVC1Main : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileVC1Advanced : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileH264Main : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileH264High : VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline: VAEntrypointVLD
VAProfileVP8Version0_3 : VAEntrypointVLDvdpauinfo
display: :0 screen: 0
API version: 1
Information string: NVIDIA VDPAU Driver Shared Library 580.142 Tue Mar 3 18:58:04 UTC 2026
Video surface:
name width height types
-------------------------------------------
420 4096 4096 NV12 YV12
422 4096 4096 UYVY YUYV
444 4096 4096 NV24 YV24
420_16 4096 4096 P010 P016
422_16 4096 4096 UYVY YUYV
444_16 4096 4096 Y_U_V_444_16
Decoder capabilities:
name level macbs width height
----------------------------------------------------
MPEG1 0 65536 4080 4080
MPEG2_SIMPLE 3 65536 4080 4080
MPEG2_MAIN 3 65536 4080 4080
H264_BASELINE 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_MAIN 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_HIGH 51 65536 4096 4096
VC1_SIMPLE 1 8190 2048 2048
VC1_MAIN 2 8190 2048 2048
VC1_ADVANCED 4 8190 2048 2048
MPEG4_PART2_SP 3 8192 2048 2048
MPEG4_PART2_ASP 5 8192 2048 2048
DIVX4_QMOBILE 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX4_MOBILE 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX4_HOME_THEATER 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX4_HD_1080P 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX5_QMOBILE 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX5_MOBILE 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX5_HOME_THEATER 0 8192 2048 2048
DIVX5_HD_1080P 0 8192 2048 2048
H264_CONSTRAINED_BASELINE 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_EXTENDED 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_PROGRESSIVE_HIGH 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_CONSTRAINED_HIGH 51 65536 4096 4096
H264_HIGH_444_PREDICTIVE 51 65536 4096 4096
VP9_PROFILE_0 --- not supported ---
VP9_PROFILE_1 --- not supported ---
VP9_PROFILE_2 --- not supported ---
VP9_PROFILE_3 --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_10 --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_STILL --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_12 --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_444 --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_444_10 --- not supported ---
HEVC_MAIN_444_12 --- not supported ---
AV1_MAIN --- not supported ---
AV1_HIGH --- not supported ---
AV1_PROFESSIONAL --- not supported ---
Output surface:
name width height nat types
----------------------------------------------------
B8G8R8A8 16384 16384 y Y8U8V8A8 V8U8Y8A8 A4I4 I4A4 A8I8 I8A8
R10G10B10A2 16384 16384 y Y8U8V8A8 V8U8Y8A8 A4I4 I4A4 A8I8 I8A8
Bitmap surface:
name width height
------------------------------
B8G8R8A8 16384 16384
R8G8B8A8 16384 16384
R10G10B10A2 16384 16384
B10G10R10A2 16384 16384
A8 16384 16384
Video mixer:
feature name sup
------------------------------------
DEINTERLACE_TEMPORAL y
DEINTERLACE_TEMPORAL_SPATIAL y
INVERSE_TELECINE y
NOISE_REDUCTION y
SHARPNESS y
LUMA_KEY y
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L1 y
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L2 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L3 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L4 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L5 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L6 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L7 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L8 -
HIGH QUALITY SCALING - L9 -
parameter name sup min max
-----------------------------------------------------
VIDEO_SURFACE_WIDTH y 1 4096
VIDEO_SURFACE_HEIGHT y 1 4096
CHROMA_TYPE y
LAYERS y 0 4
attribute name sup min max
-----------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND_COLOR y
CSC_MATRIX y
NOISE_REDUCTION_LEVEL y 0.00 1.00
SHARPNESS_LEVEL y -1.00 1.00
LUMA_KEY_MIN_LUMA y
LUMA_KEY_MAX_LUMA y vulkan
$ ls /usr/share/vulkan/icd.d/
nvidia_icd.jsonUsing "vulkaninfo" brings up a long list of information which, according to the vulkan wiki page means it's working.
# LC_ALL=C pacman -Qkk | grep -v ', 0 altered files' | grep -v backupwarning: cups: /etc/cups/classes.conf (Permissions mismatch)
warning: cups: /etc/cups/printers.conf (Permissions mismatch)
warning: cups: /etc/cups/subscriptions.conf (Permissions mismatch)
warning: filesystem: /usr/local/games (UID mismatch)
warning: filesystem: /usr/local/games (GID mismatch)
warning: filesystem: /usr/local/games (Permissions mismatch)
warning: java-runtime-common: /usr/lib/jvm/default (Symlink path mismatch)
warning: java-runtime-common: /usr/lib/jvm/default (Modification time mismatch)
warning: java-runtime-common: /usr/lib/jvm/default-runtime (Symlink path mismatch)
warning: java-runtime-common: /usr/lib/jvm/default-runtime (Modification time mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/Default-Images (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/Language (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/META-INF (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/OOoLilyPond (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/Office (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/Office/UI (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/pkg-desc (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/templates (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/templates/2.12 (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: /usr/lib/libreoffice/share/extensions/OOoLilyPond/templates/2.12/svg (Permissions mismatch)
warning: libvlc: /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat (Modification time mismatch)
warning: libvlc: /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat (Size mismatch)
warning: libvlc: /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat (SHA256 checksum mismatch)
cups: 947 total files, 3 altered files
filesystem: 127 total files, 1 altered file
java-runtime-common: 21 total files, 2 altered files
lib32-gtk: no mtree file
libreoffice-extension-ooolilypond: 90 total files, 10 altered files
libvlc: 120 total files, 1 altered file
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/bg/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/cs/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/da/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/de/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/fr/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/hu/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/it/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/lt/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/nl/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/nn/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/pl/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/pt_PT/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/ro/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/ru/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/sl/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/sv/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/ta/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/tr/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/uk/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/zh_CN/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: pidgin-encryption: /usr/share/locale/zh_TW/LC_MESSAGES/pidgin-encryption.mo (No such file or directory)
warning: shadow: /usr/bin/groupmems (GID mismatch)
warning: shadow: /usr/bin/groupmems (Permissions mismatch)
warning: systemd: /var/log/journal (GID mismatch)
pidgin-encryption: 86 total files, 24 altered files
shadow: 576 total files, 1 altered file
systemd: 1828 total files, 1 altered filejournalctl -b
https://paste.c-net.org/GarethImmature
Steam logs
https://paste.c-net.org/StackTesty
steam
steam.sh[102733]: Running Steam on arch rolling 64-bit
steam.sh[102733]: STEAM_RUNTIME is enabled automatically
setup.sh[102785]: Steam runtime environment up-to-date!
steam.sh[102733]: Log already open
steam.sh[102733]: Steam client's requirements are satisfied
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Startup - updater built Mar 13 2026 01:52:12
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-srt-logger-opened'
04/27 00:22:58 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
04/27 00:22:58 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1773426488)/tid(102845)
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Process started with command-line: '/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '8' '-srt-logger-opened'
04/27 00:22:58 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Using update UI: xwin
04/27 00:22:58 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(102846)
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Create window
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Failed to load cached hosts file (File 'update_hosts_cached.vdf' not found), using defaults
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] 1. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Verifying installation...
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Verifying file sizes only
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Set percent complete: 0
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-04-27 00:22:58] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[2026-04-27 00:22:59] Verification complete
UpdateUI: skip show logo
[2026-04-27 00:22:59] Destroy window
[2026-04-27 00:22:59] Shutdown
Steam logging initialized: directory: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs
XOpenIM() failed, LANG = en_US.UTF-8
XOpenIM() failed, LANG = en_US.UTF-8XRRGetOutputInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 0 real: 0xf639aec0
XRRGetCrtcInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 0 real: 0xf6399590
04/27 00:22:59 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
04/27 00:22:59 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steamsysinfo)/version(1773426488)/tid(102855)
Running query: 1 - GpuTopology
Response: gpu_topology {
gpus {
id: 1
name: "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970"
vram_size_bytes: 4552916992
driver_id: k_EGpuDriverId_NvidiaProprietary
driver_version_major: 580
driver_version_minor: 142
driver_version_patch: 0
luid: 0
}
default_gpu_id: 1
}
Exit code: 0
Saving response to: /tmp/steamBAeHjF - 50 bytes
steamwebhelper.sh[102859]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[102859]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=0 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 102983
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
steamwebhelper.sh[103127]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[103127]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=1 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[103319]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[103319]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=2 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[103506]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[103506]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=3 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[103682]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[103682]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=4 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[103859]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[103859]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=5 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104044]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104044]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=6 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104225]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104225]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=7 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104421]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104421]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=8 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104607]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104607]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=9 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104792]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104792]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=10 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[104976]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[104976]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=11 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
[2026-04-27 00:25:01] Background update loop checking for update. . .
[2026-04-27 00:25:01] Checking for available updates...
[2026-04-27 00:25:01] Downloading manifest: https://client-update.steamstatic.com/steam_client_ubuntu12
steamwebhelper.sh[105156]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[105156]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/ken/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
src/steamUI/steamuisharedjscontroller.cpp (529) : Failed creating offscreen shared JS context
src/steamUI/steamuisharedjscontroller.cpp (529) : Failed creating offscreen shared JS context
04/27 00:25:01 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1773426488)/tid(102845)
assert_20260427002501_28.dmp[105210]: Uploading dump (out-of-process)
/tmp/dumps/assert_20260427002501_28.dmp
[2026-04-27 00:25:02] Manifest download: send request
[2026-04-27 00:25:02] Manifest download: waiting for download to finish
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=102845 -buildid=1773426488 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=12 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/ken/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
[2026-04-27 00:25:02] Manifest download: finished
[2026-04-27 00:25:02] Download skipped: /steam_client_ubuntu12 version 1773426488, installed version 1773426488, existing pending version 0
[2026-04-27 00:25:02] Nothing to do
assert_20260427002501_28.dmp[105210]: Finished uploading minidump (out-of-process): success = yes
assert_20260427002501_28.dmp[105210]: response: CrashID=bp-a5a8fe2c-ec89-4b4a-b869-eb6bc2260426
assert_20260427002501_28.dmp[105210]: file ''/tmp/dumps/assert_20260427002501_28.dmp'', upload yes: ''CrashID=bp-a5a8fe2c-ec89-4b4a-b869-eb6bc2260426''
[2026-04-27 00:25:06] ShutdownLast edited by kranos86 (2026-04-30 03:14:42)
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#2 2026-04-29 20:07:30
- kranos86
- Member
- Registered: 2026-04-27
- Posts: 3
Re: [SOLVED] Steam unable to launch: steam webhelper is not responding
So far, switching to the "nvidia-575" and "nvidia-570" series doesn't solve the issue. Neither does trying to launch steam in an X11 (i3wm) environment.
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#3 2026-04-29 20:12:55
- seth
- Member
- From: Won't reply 2 private help req
- Registered: 2012-09-03
- Posts: 75,307
Re: [SOLVED] Steam unable to launch: steam webhelper is not responding
src/steamUI/steamuisharedjscontroller.cpp (529) : Failed creating offscreen shared JS context
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#4 2026-04-30 03:14:02
- kranos86
- Member
- Registered: 2026-04-27
- Posts: 3
Re: [SOLVED] Steam unable to launch: steam webhelper is not responding
seth wrote:
src/steamUI/steamuisharedjscontroller.cpp (529) : Failed creating offscreen shared JS context
Thanks for pointing me to that thread. Unfortunately, neither of the solutions presented there work for me. Upon booting, there is no "/tmp/dumps" directory. It's created when I try to launch Steam. After Steam closes, I can delete the directory, but there's no change when I try to launch Steam again.
I already have "lib32-libnm" installed, so that solution doesn't apply either.
Solution
However, I found another error in "webhelper.txt" (I'd only been focusing on "webhelper-linux.txt"):
ERROR: CCEFThread Init failed to initialize SDL: wayland;x11 not availableI've encountered SDL problems before, and knew this came from an environment variable I'd set to solve those problems.
/etc/environment
. . .
SDL_VIDEODRIVER="wayland,x11"
SDL_VIDEO_DRIVER="wayland;x11"
. . .I don't know how long it's been that way, but the second environment variable is wrong: I put a semicolon instead of a comma. I don't know why. I don't know why it hasn't been a problem before. But for whatever reason, that environment variable was preventing steam webhelper from launching. Once I corrected the typo and re-exported the variable, Steam launched. I reset the variable with a semicolon to test, and Steam wouldn't launch; then back to a comma, and Steam would launch.
I'll mark this thread as "Solved"
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