Steam Captcha Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Some users are experiencing Captcha issues when attempting to create a Steam account. Even though they fill up the Captcha details correctly, the prompt returns an error like “Your response to the CAPTCHA appears to be invalid“.

After investigating the issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are several different scenarios that might trigger this Captcha error even though the filled details are correct. Here’s a shortlist of potential culprits:

Now that you are aware of every potential scenario that might interfere with Steam’s captcha, here’s a list of verified methods that other affected users have successfully used to complete the Captcha verification and create their Steam account:

Use a different browser

If you’re using Chrome, keep in mind that the Captcha verification inside Steam is done through a Chrome fork that has a tendency to bug out with Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers.

In case you’re using Chrome or another browser based on Chrome and you already tried to clear your browser cache, you will likely be able to complete the verification by creating the Steam account from a different browser.

Here are a few viable alternatives that should pose no issues when you try to complete the Captcha verification:

• Microsoft Edge
• Opera
• Mozilla Firefox
• Brave

If you already tried different browsers and you’re still dealing with the same kind of Captcha issue in Steam, move down to the next potential fix below.

Disable Proxy or VPN server

If you’re actively using a VPN or Proxy server to protect your anonymity, chances are that’s the reason why the Captcha verification is failing when you attempt to create your Steam account.

Captcha is notoriously known for triggering false positives when users attempt to complete the verification while hiding behind a Proxy or VPN server.

Most commonly, the Captcha test window will not show at all or it will not accept any correct answers.

If you find yourself in this particular scenario, you should be able to resolve the Captcha issue by temporarily disabling the Proxy server or by disabling or uninstalling the VPN server that is currently active on your PC.

If this scenario is applicable to your particular situation, follow one of the sub guides below to disable the VPN or Proxy solution that might be causing the problem.

Disable the Proxy server

1. Start by opening up a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R. Next, type “ms-settings:network-proxy” and press Enter to open up a Proxy tab from the native Windows 10 menu.

   

2. Once you arrive inside the Proxy tab, scroll all the way down to the Manual proxy setup section, then go ahead and disable the toggle associated with Use a proxy server.
   

   

3. After the proxy solution has been disabled, reboot your computer and create the Steam account and see if you are now able to pass the Captcha verification.

Disable VPN Connection

The steps of disabling your active VPN connection will be very different depending on your VPN of choice. Typically, you can do it directly from the tray bar icon.

Other Steam Errors: Disk Write Error 

But if this is not an option in your case or you’re using a system-level VPN, the only viable option is to uninstall the VPN suite completely and see if the problem is now resolved:

1. Start by pressing the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, inside the text box, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features menu.

   

2. From the Programs and Features screen, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the 3rd party VPN that you suspect might be causing the issue.
3. Once you manage to locate the problematic VPN solution, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly appeared context menu.

   

4. Once you’re inside the uninstallation screen, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process, then restart your computer manually if you’re not automatically prompted to do so.
5. At the next computer startup, repeat the Captcha verification process and see if you are now able to create a new Steam account.

If this method was not applicable to your particular scenario or disabling the VPN / Proxy server didn’t make a difference in your case, move down to the next potential fix below.

Disable IPv6

According to some affected users that were encountering this issue on Windows 10, this issue was resolved after they have disabled the IPv6 on the network adapter. After doing so, they were successfully able to complete the Captcha verification when creating a Steam account.

In case you are not reliant on IPv6, you should consider effectively disable IPV6 – At least temporarily, until you complete the captcha verification.

If you’re looking for step by step instructions on how to do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘ncpa.cpl’ inside the text box, then press Enter to open up the Network Connections menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Network Connections menu, right-click on the network adapter that you’re currently actively using and click on Properties from the context menu that just appeared.

   

   Note: When you’re prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin access.

3. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of your Network adapter, access the Networking tab.
4. next, scroll down through the list of items used and uncheck the box associated with Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP / IPv6).
   

   

5.  Click Ok to save the changes, then restart your computer and re-do Steam’s captcha verification after the next startup is complete to see if the method has been successful.