Fix: “Failed to Initialize Steam” Marvel Rivals Initialization Failed Error

The “Failed to Initialize Steam” error in Marvel Rivals is usually caused by problems related to permissions, network settings, or corrupted game files.

Sometimes, this error can also occur due to connectivity issues. Therefore, ensuring that your internet connection is stable is important.

• Open a web browser and try visiting a few websites to confirm your internet connection is working. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router or switch to a wired connection for better stability.
• If you encounter any internet issues, try resetting your router by turning it off for 10-20 seconds and then turning it back on.
• Ensure no other applications (e.g., streaming services, large downloads) are using a large portion of your bandwidth.

Now that we’ve covered basic troubleshooting tips, let’s move on to detailed solutions:

1. Run Steam as Administrator

Running Steam as an administrator can help bypass certain permission issues that may be preventing the game from initializing correctly. It ensures that Steam has full access to modify files and connect to the network without any restrictions from Windows User Account Control (UAC).

1. Press Windows + S and type Steam.
2. Select Run as Administrator from the context menu.
3. Once Steam launches, try starting Marvel Rivals again.

2. Adjusting Firewall Settings

Restrictive firewall settings can block Steam’s communication with the servers, which may prevent the game from initializing properly. Adjusting these settings ensures that Steam can communicate with the servers and that no firewall restrictions block the game’s internet connection. This can also resolve connectivity issues that might be causing the error.

1. Go back to the Windows Defender Firewall page.
2. Click on Advanced Settings on the left panel to open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window.
3. In the Inbound Rules, look for Steam and double-click on it.
4. A new window will pop up. In the General tab, check “Allow Connection” and “Enable“, then click Apply.
5. Repeat this process in the Outbound Rules, ensuring Steam is allowed to communicate both inbound and outbound.
6. Now go into the Advanced Tab and check Profile (“Private“, “Public“, “Domain“). Domain is optional.
7. Click on Apply and OK.
8. Restart your PC and try again.

By adjusting these settings, we allow both incoming and outgoing connections without restrictions. This will prevent firewall restrictions from blocking the game’s initialization and help resolve connectivity issues from the client side.

3. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus

If you are using third-party antivirus software like Avast, Kaspersky, or McAfee, temporarily disable it. Overprotective third-party antivirus software can sometimes interfere with Steam or the game files, preventing them from functioning properly. Temporarily disabling your antivirus or adding exceptions for Steam and Marvel Rivals can resolve the issue.

1. Open your antivirus software from the tray icon or click on the Windows button and search for it (e.g., Avast, Norton, McAfee, etc.).

   

2. Look for the Disable or Pause Protection option (usually found in the settings or directly in the main interface).
3. Temporarily disable Real-time protection or the firewall feature in your antivirus. This will allow Steam and the game to function without interference.
4. After disabling, launch Steam and try to run Marvel Rivals again to see if the error is resolved.

If your problem is resolved, Re-enable Windows Security and add your game to the Exclusions/whitelist to prevent the antivirus from scanning or blocking its connection. Here’s how:

1. Open your antivirus software and go to the Exclusions or Exceptions settings.
2. Add Steam and Marvel Rivals to the list of excluded programs so that the antivirus will not block or scan these files.
3. After adding the exceptions, try launching the game again.

4. Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause initialization errors. Steam has a feature that allows you to verify the integrity of game files. Verifying the integrity of game files ensures that any corrupted, missing, or incomplete files are replaced with the correct versions from Steam’s servers. This can fix issues that prevent the game from initializing properly, allowing you to get back into the game.

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Marvel Rivals and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, go to the Installed Files tab.
4. Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
5. Wait for Steam to scan and repair the game files. This may take a few minutes depending on the size of the game.
6. Once the process is complete, try launching Marvel Rivals again.