After investigating this particular issue, it turns out that there are several different causes that are known to cause this particular error code. Here’s a shortlist of potential culprits that might trigger the OS Error 4294956486 in Steam: Now that you know all the potential culprits, here’s a collection of methods that will allow you to fix the error 4294956486 in Steam:
Method 1: Verifying the Integrity of the Game
Since the most common problem that will cause this particular error is some type of corruption affecting the installation folder, you should start by checking the integrity of the affected game files. In most cases, you’ll see the 4294956486 error occurring due to a corrupted file or an associated game dependency that’s affected by corruption. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the problem by using a built-in Steam utility to verify the integrity of the game files. To do this follow the instructions below and restart your computer at the end of it: Note: The instructions below will be applicable to both Windows and macOS computers. In case you still end up seeing the 4294956486 error code, move down to the next method below.
Method 2: Creating a Shortcut on macOS (if applicable)
As it turns out, if you’re encountering this problem on macOS when trying to launch a game from within Steam, chances are you’re dealing with a fairly common glitch. This problem is known to affect the launch of certain games from the Steam desktop. If this scenario is applicable, you might be able to avoid the 4294956486 error code entirely by using the Terminal on your macOS computer to create a dedicated shortcut that will allow you to launch the game without relying on the Steam interface. This potential fix has been reported to work by a lot of users that where having problem launching certain games on macOS. In case you’re also seeing this error code on macOS when trying to launch a game from Steam, follow the instructions below to use the Terminal app to create a shortcut for the game that’s causing the problem: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 3: Forcing Steam to Update (Windows Only)
As it turns out, this problem can also occur if your client is stuck in a state where it can’t update itself due to a partially corrupted file. This problem is fairly commonly reported to occur on Windows computers (particularly if the client is forcibly shut down when in the middle of updating itself). If you find yourself in a situation similar to the one described above, you should be able to force your Steam client to update itself by navigating to the Steam installation folder and deleting everything inside aside from Steamapps, Userdata, and Steam.exe. Doing this will strip the application to the bare essentials, but leaving behind the essential files that will allow it to update itself and install the latest version available. Note: Before following the instructions below, you should see if Steam is not actually capable of updating conventionally by clicking on Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates. Here’s a quick guide on how you can do this: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 4: Reinstalling Steam
If forcing the application to update itself was not effective in your particular scenario, the next thing you should try is to reinstall Steam and every associated component. This will be effective in those scenarios where some kind of file corruption affecting Steam is causing the 294956486 error code. Several affected users finding themselves in a similar scenario have reportedly managed to fix the issue by uninstalling the current Steam installation and re-downloading & installing the latest version. Here’s a quick step by step guide that will guide you through the process of doing this on a Windows computer: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 5: Removing the 3rd party Interference
As it turns out, this issue can also occur because Steam’s connection to the server is being interrupted by an overprotective 3rd party firewall – In most cases, this is reported to occur due to a false positive. This problem is confirmed to occur with Cylance, Comodo, and a few other AV suites that are known to conflict with Steam. If this scenario is applicable to your particular scenario, the first thing you should do is disable the real-time protection before opening Steam and see if the issue is now fixed. To do this, right-click on the tray-bar icon of your antivirus and look for an option that allows you to disable the real-time protection. Important: If you’re using an AV suite that includes a built-in firewall (or the issue is caused by a standalone 3rd party firewall), disabling the real-time protection will not fix the issue since the same security rules will remain firmly in place. In this case, the only way of fixing the issue is to uninstall the problematic 3rd party suite in order to eliminate the conflict: In case the problem is still occurring or this scenario was not applicable, follow the next method below.
Method 6: Resetting the NVRAM & PRAM caches (if applicable)
In case you’re seeing the 4294956486 error on a macOS computer and none of the instructions below have worked for you, it’s possible that you’re dealing with an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) or PRAM (Parameter Random-Access Memory) issue. Note: macOS computers will use NVRAM to store certain settings data that can be accessed quickly, while PRAM is used to store information related to some core components of your MAC. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the problem by resetting both the PRAM and NVRAM caches by following the instructions below:
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