Fix: Can’t Add Friends on Steam (All Error Codes Explained)
You might see an error pop-up when trying to add someone on Steam, and it can occur for several reasons. Your account may be limited, the other user might have blocked you, Steam could be facing a temporary glitch, your friends list might be full, or the servers could be down. Fortunately, most friend-related errors can be resolved with simple steps.
Before proceeding to the fixes, make sure you have not blocked the person you are trying to add and vice versa. If this is not the case and you are still getting the error, proceed to the methods below.
| Error Code | Exact / Closest Error Message | ℹ️ Explanation | ️Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No error (friend added successfully) | Request completed without issue. | No action needed. |
| 1 | “There was an error adding this friend. Please try again.” | General failure – could be due to connection, rate limit, or unknown issue. | Restart Steam or try again after some time. |
| 3 | “The user you are trying to add does not exist.” | Profile is deleted, renamed, or incorrect. | Double-check profile URL or friend code. |
| 5 | “You cannot add this friend.” | You are blocked by the user or your account is restricted. | Confirm whether the user has blocked you. Also, check your account status. |
| 6 | “Request timed out. Please try again.” | Steam servers didn’t respond — likely network lag or downtime. | Retry after a few minutes. Restart Steam and check your internet connection. |
| 7 | “Steam is currently too busy to handle your request.” | Server-side overload or high traffic. | Wait and try again later. |
| 8 | “The request was invalid.” | Malformed request, possibly due to a bug or outdated client. | Restart your Steam client or update to the latest version. |
| 15 | “You must be logged in to perform this action.” | Session expired or Steam thinks you’re offline. | Log out and log back in to Steam. |
| 16 | “A friend request has already been sent.” | You have already sent a request to this user. | Ask the user to check their pending invites or cancel the request from your end. |
| 17 | “There was a problem with the encryption.” | Likely SSL or network-related issue. | Restart your device. Disable VPN/antivirus temporarily if it persists. |
| 20 | “The target user has too many friends.” | They’ve hit the Steam friend limit (usually 250). | Ask them to remove a friend before accepting new requests. |
| 24 | “This user’s settings do not allow you to add them as a friend.” | Their privacy settings block invites from non-friends. | Ask them to adjust their privacy settings to accept friend requests. |
| 28 | “This account is limited and cannot add friends.” | The account hasn’t met the $5 minimum spend on Steam. | Spend at least $5 on games, wallet funds, or DLC to lift the limitation. |
| 50 | “You cannot add this user due to a ban.” | VAC or community ban prevents accepting new friend requests. | No fix unless the user appeals and gets unbanned. |
| 63 | “This account is disabled.” | Either your or the recipient’s account has been deactivated. | Contact Steam Support to investigate further. |
| 65 | “You are sending too many friend requests. Try again later.” | Rate limit triggered. Steam blocks excessive friend requests to prevent spam. | Wait 12–24 hours before trying again. |
| 84 | “Your account does not meet the requirements to send friend requests.” | Your account is limited — hasn’t spent $5 yet. | Spend at least $5 on Steam to unlock full friend features. |
1. Check Account Type
If you’re using a limited Steam account, you won’t be able to send friend requests. Steam restricts certain features for limited accounts, and adding friends is one of them.
To lift this limitation, you’ll need to spend at least $5 USD on the Steam store—this can be done by purchasing a game, adding funds to your wallet, or buying DLC. Once your account is upgraded, you’ll be able to send and accept friend requests normally.
Alternatively, if the person you’re trying to add has already spent $5, they can send you a request instead. Once the request is accepted, both of you will be able to chat and play together without restrictions.
- Launch the Steam client on your computer and click your profile icon (top-right corner).
- From the dropdown menu, select View my wallet.
- Click Add funds next to your desired amount ($5, $10, $20, etc.).
- Choose a payment method (credit card, PayPal, etc.) and complete the transaction.
2. Check the Friends Limit
Make sure your friends list isn’t already full. By default, Steam allows you to have up to 250 friends. You can increase this limit by leveling up your Steam profile—each level adds 5 extra friend slots.
So if your list is full, you’ll need to either remove some existing friends or increase your profile level to make room for new ones.
- Open the Steam client and click on your profile name in the top-right corner.
- Select Friends from the dropdown menu, then scroll down to view your current friend count.Note: If your count is near:
- 250 (basic limit) or
- Your expanded limit (if you’ve leveled up your Steam profile)
You’ll need to remove existing friends before adding new ones.
3. Block and Then Unblock the Person
This may sound odd, but it has worked for many users. Simply block the person you’re trying to add for a short time (about 1–2 minutes), then unblock them.
After unblocking, try sending the friend request again. In most cases, the error will no longer appear.
- Open the Steam client and click the Community tab at the top.
- In the Find People section, enter your friend’s exact username or profile URL.
- Open their profile page and click the three-dot menu (top-right corner).
- Select Block all communications from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm by clicking “Yes, block them” in the pop-up window.
- Wait 1-2 minutes for Steam’s systems to process the block.
- Reopen the three-dot menu on their profile.
- Select Unblock All communication to remove the restriction.
- Now click Add Friend to send a friend request normally.
4. Try Adding Them Through a Browser
If the Steam app isn’t letting you add friends, switch to a web browser like Chrome or Firefox and try from there. Sometimes, the issue is caused by a temporary glitch in the app’s interface.
On the flip side, if you’ve only been trying through a browser, give the Steam desktop app a try instead. Also, consider clearing your browser’s cache to eliminate any potential interference before retrying the friend request.
5. Use the steam://flushconfig Command
The steam://flushconfig command refreshes Steam’s core settings without affecting your installed games, saved files, or login credentials. It’s a safe way to clear minor bugs or glitches that might be causing issues, including friend request errors, without losing any of your data.
- Ensure you’re logged in with an administrator account on your Windows PC.
- Open any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
- Click the address bar and paste this exact command: steam://flushconfig Then press Enter.
- When the system prompt appears, click Open Steam to confirm.
- After execution:
- If Steam automatically reopens, try adding your friend again.
- If nothing happens, wait 3-4 minutes then launch Steam manually.
Note: This command resets Steam’s network and configuration cache without affecting your games or account data.
If none of the above methods resolve the issue, you can reach out to Steam Support and explain that you’re unable to add friends. Their team can assist you with account-specific diagnostics and offer a tailored solution.
