Steam ‘Your Transaction Cannot Be Completed’: How to Fix

If you’re an avid gamer, you probably rely on platforms like Steam to buy and play your favorite games. However, like any online service, Steam is not immune to glitches and errors. One common issue that users encounter is the “Your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account” error. This frustrating error can prevent you from making new purchases and leave you wondering how to resolve it. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the potential causes of this error and provide you with step-by-step solutions to fix it.

Understanding the Root Cause

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand why this error occurs. The main cause of the “Your transaction cannot be completed” error is a miscommunication between your local network and the Steam servers. When you make an online payment, it requires secure certificates for verification. If there are connection errors with the certificates from Steam, the payment provider, and your local network may not match. To prevent fraudulent transactions, Steam pauses the transaction until the errors are resolved, and no further payments can be made until it does.

Solutions to Fix the Error

Now that we know what causes the error, let’s explore some solutions to fix it. These solutions are based on common scenarios that can trigger the error and have been proven effective in resolving the issue for many Steam users.

Solution 1: Check if the Steam Server is Down

Sometimes, the error may occur due to a temporary outage on the Steam servers. To check if this is the case, you can use a service like Downdetector to see if there’s an ongoing outage. If Steam is down, all you need to do is wait for the servers to come back up and then restart the application. Check your cart to see if the pending transaction has been processed. If the payment has gone through, you can proceed with your purchases as usual.

Solution 2: Cancel Other Pending Transactions

If there are other pending transactions on your account, they may be causing conflicts and preventing new purchases. To cancel these transactions, follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam app.
2. Click on your profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. From the dropdown list, choose “Account details.”
4. Under “Store & Purchase History,” click on “View purchase history.”
5. In the list of purchases, check the “Type” category. Paid-for items will be marked as “Purchase,” while uncompleted transactions will be labeled as “Pending.”
6. If the item you’ve bought is marked as “Purchase,” the payment should have gone through. If it’s marked as “Pending,” click on the item.
7. From the options below, click on “Cancel this transaction.”
8. Choose “Cancel my purchase.”
9. Return to the Steam Storefront and try making new purchases to see if the transaction goes through.

Solution 3: Verify Your VPN Settings

If you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) while accessing Steam, it’s possible that the error is caused by a mismatch between your Steam location and VPN location. Steam offers different prices for games based on regional variations, and your account is limited to your specific region. To fix this issue, you can try the following:

1. Close Steam completely. Make sure it’s not just minimized but completely closed.
2. Right-click on the Steam icon in the hidden icons menu on the right side of the taskbar.
3. Choose “Exit” from the popup menu.
4. Similarly, exit your VPN from the hidden icons menu or use the Task Manager to end the VPN process.
5. To end the VPN process using the Task Manager, follow these steps:

• Type “Task Manager” in the search bar or press CTRL+Alt+Delete and choose Task Manager.
• Find the name of your VPN in the list of processes.
• Right-click on it and select “End Task.”

You can also disable your VPN from running automatically during startup by following these steps:

• Open the Task Manager.
• Click on the “Startup” tab.
• Locate the name of your VPN and right-click on it.
• Click on “Disable” from the dropdown menu.

Once your VPN is disabled, restart Steam. This should ensure that your Steam account location matches your actual location. Proceed to your cart to check if any pending transactions have been resolved.

Solution 4: Clear the Steam Cache

In some cases, the error may be caused by an error in your local Steam application. Clearing the Steam cache can help resolve this issue. Follow these steps to clear the cache:

1. Open the Steam app.
2. Click on “Steam” in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. From the dropdown menu, click on “Settings.”
4. On the left menu, click on “Downloads.”
5. On the lower part of the window, click on “Clear Download Cache.”
6. Restart Steam and allow it to finish updating.
7. Check your cart to see if any purchase errors have been resolved.

Solution 5: Try Buying the Game from the Steam Website

If your Steam app is not working, you can try purchasing the game directly from the Steam website. This may provide a temporary fix while you resolve any issues with your app. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam website in your web browser.
2. Click on “Log in” and enter your credentials.
3. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will be prompted to enter a verification code.
4. Proceed to the store page of the game you wish to buy.
5. Add it to your cart and proceed with the checkout process.

Solution 6: Contact Steam Customer Service

If none of the solutions mentioned above work for you, it’s recommended to reach out to Steam’s customer service team for further assistance. They provide step-by-step guides to many common problems and offer support if the issue cannot be resolved automatically. You can find the Steam Help Desk on their website.

Other Common Steam Store Issues

While the “Your transaction cannot be completed” error is a common issue, there are a few other problems you might encounter while using the Steam platform. Here are some quick fixes for other common Steam store issues:

Steam Store Not Loading

If the Steam store is not loading, it could be due to a download error or a corrupted update. To fix this issue, you can try flushing the cache and restarting the update. Here’s how:

1. Open the “Run” dialog by typing “Run” in the search bar.
2. In the text bar, type “steam://flushconfig” and click “OK.”
3. On the popup menu, click “OK” again.
4. Restart Steam and enter your login credentials to proceed.

Missing Games

If you can’t find a particular game in your Steam account, it might be due to a few reasons. Here’s what you can do to locate missing games:

1. Make sure you’re viewing all games, not just the installed ones. On the Library tab, look for the play icon above the search bar and toggle it to view all games.
2. Check your inventory for any gift games that need to be redeemed before they appear in your library.
3. Some games might have been part of limited-time events or free weekends. These games will only be visible in your library during the event period.

Conclusion

Steam is a fantastic platform for buying and playing games, but occasionally, errors like the “Your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account” can hinder your experience. By following the solutions provided in this guide, you’ll be able to resolve this error and continue enjoying your gaming adventures on Steam. Remember to check for server outages, cancel any pending transactions, verify your VPN settings, clear the Steam cache, try purchasing from the website, and contact Steam customer service if needed. With these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome any transaction errors and make the most of your Steam gaming experience.

If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gaming!