Steam No Host Computers Found: Fixes That Work

If Steam shows “No host computers found” when you try to stream a game from another PC, it means the Steam Link or Steam app cannot discover a computer that is running Steam and has remote streaming enabled. The fix usually involves checking that both devices are on the same network, enabling Steam Remote Play in the host’s settings, and allowing Steam through the firewall. Below are the specific steps to resolve this, along with why the problem happens and how to prevent it.

What Causes the Error

Steam Remote Play (formerly In-Home Streaming) works by having the host PC run the game and send video and audio to the client device (another PC, phone, TV, or Steam Deck). To find the host, the client broadcasts a discovery message on the local network. If the host doesn’t respond, you get “No host computers found.”

Common reasons for the host not responding:

• Both devices are not on the same local network (e.g., one is on Wi-Fi and the other on a guest network).
• Steam Remote Play is disabled on the host.
• The host is in offline mode or not running Steam.
• Windows Firewall or third-party security software is blocking Steam’s incoming connections.
• Network isolation (AP isolation) on your router prevents devices from seeing each other.
• The host PC is asleep or the GPU driver is preventing hardware encoding.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Enable Remote Play on the host: Open Steam on the host PC, go to Steam > Settings > Remote Play, and check the box for “Enable Remote Play.” Also, ensure the host is in Online mode (not Offline).
2. Put both devices on the same network: Connect both the host and the client to the same router, ideally via Ethernet for the host. If using Wi-Fi, make sure they are on the same SSID (not a guest network).
3. Check Steam’s firewall rules: On the host, open Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app through the firewall. Look for “Steam” and “Steam Web Helper” and ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked. If not, add Steam manually.
4. Restart Steam on both devices: Fully exit Steam (including the system tray icon) and restart it. On the client, also restart the Steam Link app.
5. Disable AP isolation on the router: Log into your router’s settings and find “AP Isolation” or “Client Isolation.” Turn it off. This is common on routers with guest networks.
6. Try using the IP address directly: On the client, instead of waiting for discovery, you can enter the host’s local IP address manually in the Steam Link app (under Computer > Add Computer). Find the host’s IP by running ipconfig on the host (look for IPv4 address).
7. Update Steam and GPU drivers: Make sure both devices have the latest Steam client and the host has current graphics drivers.

Why Firewalls Block Steam

When you first install Steam, Windows Firewall usually prompts you to allow access. If you accidentally clicked “Cancel,” Steam’s inbound connections are blocked. The discovery protocol uses UDP ports 27036 and TCP ports 27036-27037. Even if you don’t want to manually open ports, the firewall rule for the Steam executable should be set to allow communication. To check, go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced Settings > Inbound Rules. Look for Steam-related rules and ensure they are enabled.

Network Requirements for Remote Play

For a smooth experience, Steam recommends a wired network for the host and a 5 GHz Wi-Fi or wired connection for the client. The host should have a CPU with hardware encoding support (Intel Quick Sync, AMD VCE, or Nvidia NVENC). The client device needs to be capable of decoding the video stream. If the connection is slow, the error may appear because the host is not responding in time. A minimum of 5 Mbps is required for basic streaming, but 15 Mbps or more is recommended for 1080p.

What to Do If the Host Is Still Not Found

If you’ve tried the steps above and still see “No host computers found,” try the following:

• Disable third-party antivirus temporarily: Some security suites block Steam’s discovery. If disabling it fixes the issue, add Steam to its exceptions.
• Check the host’s power settings: Make sure the host is not set to sleep after a few minutes. Go to Power Options and set “Sleep” to “Never” while streaming.
• Use a different client: Try the Steam Link app on a phone or another PC to see if the issue is specific to your client device.
• Restart the router: Occasionally, the router’s ARP cache gets stale. Power-cycle the router and try again.
• Check if the host has multiple network adapters: If the host has both Ethernet and Wi-Fi active, Steam may be bound to the wrong one. Disable one of them temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream over the internet?

Yes, Steam Remote Play can work over the internet, but the “No host computers found” error is usually local. For internet streaming, both devices must be on the same Steam account, and the host must be online. The client will attempt to connect via Steam’s relay servers. Ensure both devices are on the same account and that the host is not in offline mode.

Why does Steam Link find my computer but then fail to connect?

This is a different issue. It usually means the discovery worked but the connection is blocked. Check the firewall again, and ensure the host’s Steam is not in “Family View” which can restrict remote streaming. Also, try disabling hardware encoding on the host (Steam > Settings > Remote Play > Advanced > Change the encoding to software) to see if that helps.

Does the host need to be on the same account as the client?

Yes, both devices must be logged into the same Steam account for Remote Play to work. You cannot stream from a friend’s PC unless they are logged in on the client device.

Will this work on a Steam Deck?

Yes, the Steam Deck can be a client for Remote Play. The same steps apply. Make sure the Deck is on the same network and that Remote Play is enabled on the host.

Is there a way to force Steam to use a specific port?

Steam does not allow you to manually change the ports for Remote Play. However, you can forward ports 27036 (UDP and TCP) and 27037 (TCP) on your router if you are trying to stream over the internet, but for local streaming this is unnecessary.

Preventing Future Issues

To avoid this error in the future, keep Steam updated on all devices, maintain a stable network, and periodically check that your firewall rules haven’t been reset by a Windows update. If you use a VPN, disable it while streaming locally, as it can interfere with discovery.

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