7 Fixes For Steam Client Bootstrapper High CPU Problem

Do you have a Steam Client Bootstrapper app on your system? What is it? Do you need it? Why is it causing the CPU to slow down? These are some of the common questions asked about Steam Client.

This guide will give you brief information about Steam Client and help you learn more about it. Additionally, you will learn to fix the CPU error, among other problems.

Let’s begin:

What Is A Steam Client Bootstrapper?

Steam is a huge name in the Video Game Industry. It allows you to search for your favorite games and play them on PC. You can buy and download them. It often works as a PC engine to support the game, as well.

In short, it is a useful gaming tool that every PC gamer knows about. While Steam is a single application, it has several components. Thus, it appears more than once on Task Manager. This includes Steam Client Bootstrapper.

To keep it simple, Steam Client Bootstrapper handles a lot of processes for the Steam app. It helps your PC get ready with the right system tweaks to support launching Steam.

In other words, it is an optimization tool for Steam Client and Users. But, it also works as a one-stop solution for various tasks. Steam Client Bootstrapper gives you the latest updates and optimizes the performance.

It helps your system load and runs Steam in the best way. But, it can indeed cause CPU problems.

What Are The Problems Faced By Steam Client Bootstrapper Users?

Steam Client Bootstrapper either affects the PC’s memory or network speed. Often, it consumes too much RAM (Computer Memory) to operate. It might also take a huge toll on the network bandwidth. These factors pose problems when you’re doing something else.

Many users ignore these problems because that’s what the client does. It helps in keep games and systems up to date for gaming. If you have too many games, it will consume more network and memory.

But, if you don’t have a high-end system, it might become challenging. You will face too many problems with the responsiveness of the system. It can hinder many issues for you.

Quick Fixes For The Steam Client Bootstrapper

Before we get into the details, here are some of the settings and options you can try. These can help you solve most of the issues, if not all:

1. Download and Update Preferences

Steam Client Bootstrapper is exceptional at working the updates at a scheduled time. It won’t load your bandwidth unnecessarily. But, sometimes, it can be a little overwhelming. You can avoid these problems by following the steps:

• Go to Steam’s settings and find Downloads.
• There you will find plenty of options to set time limits.
• You can also set the limit on the bandwidth and other settings.

With these settings, you can make sure that steam won’t consume too many resources of your system. This is usually the ace of all solutions.

2. Solutions When Steam Client Bootstrapper Stops Working Or Responding

Sometimes, Steam Client Bootstrapper might not work to the best capacity. It could end up causing crashes or an unresponsive system. If that happens, here are a couple of things you can try:

• Restart your computer and see if it fixes the issue. Usually, this option works.
• You might have to reinstall the latest version of the Client.
• Always keep your drivers up to date, especially graphics. The same goes for Windows 10 OS.
• Run a chkdsk scan on the drive partition that has a Steam Client.
• Ensure that you are not in the ‘Steam Beta Client Program.’ Check for the stable version and alternative.
• Go to the settings and downloads and clear the download cache of the Steam Client.
• Sometimes, the wrong date and time interrupt an application. Make sure you have it set correctly.
• Use System Restore if nothing else works.
• Check for online communities and forums for any specific errors.

If none of these solutions work, you can go to the in-depth guide below. It will help you diagnose and fix most problems related to Steam Client Bootstrapper.

Solutions To Fix Steam Client Bootstrapper Error

• Disable Steam Overlay 
• Change The Client’s Skin
• Change Default Window To Library
• Use Beta Steam Client Program
• The Red Shell Spyware
• Repair The Steam Client
• The Big Picture Mode

How To Fix Steam Client Bootstrapper Error? 

The Steam Client Bootstrapper is responsible for the initial process of steam. The problem can appear on any Windows version. As mentioned earlier, it can slow down the CPU or Computer Network. Make sure that you download the latest software version before diagnosing the problem.

If you’re still getting the performance error, you can use any of the solutions given below. Try cleaning out the game library and resuming the default settings first. Either way, here is how you can solve the Steam Bootstrapper problems: 

1. Disable Steam Overlay 

Indeed, Steam Overlay is a great feature to enhance your gaming experience. You gain access to some of the game’s features. But it can cause high CPU usage sometimes, especially if you don’t have a high-specs PC. Hence, disabling it would be a better option for you:

• Open Steam from wherever you find it accessible.
• Find ‘Settings’ in the client. It is in the menu on the top side.

• Go to the ‘In-Game’ tab and find the ‘Steam Overlay’ option.

• Make sure that ‘Enable The Stream Overlay While In-Game’ is ‘unchecked.’
• Press OK and apply the changes.
• Exit Steam by using the built-in option, don’t use the close (x) button on the top right corner.
• Relaunch the Stream Client. You can also reboot your PC if you’d like.

See if this solves the issue.

2. Change The Client’s Skin

Steam Client comes with plenty of skins for you to be creative. It is like adding themes to your favorite gaming app. You get a sense of something new but some skins can be a little buggy. They might even take a toll on the system. If you’re not using any skin, you can skip this step. Otherwise, reset the Client’s skin to default.

• Once again, Open Steam and go to Settings once again.
• This time, find the ‘Interface’ tab and find the ‘Select the skin you wish Steam to use.’

• If you click the arrow, it will show you the skin list. There should be a ‘default’ option.
• Select it and click ok. Then follow with the proper restarting procedure (not the X button).

After restarting, the client shouldn’t have any fancy skin. See if this solves the issue for you.

3. Change Default Window To Library

The default Window of the Steam Client is what you will see first when you launch it. By default, it should be Library, but some people set it to Store.

Store window will consume more resources to load various games and options. It is like browsing the internet and a high-resources website. So, you can change this setting:

• Access the Stream’s settings and find the Interface tab.
• There, you will find ‘Select Which Steam Window Appears When Program Starts.’ It might also have ‘When you double-click the notification tray icon.’

• There will be arrows or a drop-down option to expand. Choose Library from the options.
• Exit the settings after applying them methodically.
• Restart the steam and see if the problem disappears.

4: Use Beta Steam Client Program

Yes, it is a little ironic. As you can read above, it was mentioned as one of the reasons for the CPU to slow down. But, sometimes, it might not be the case. Maybe the original client is causing more problems to you. You can replace the current version and fix the Bootstrapper error by using the Beta version. Switch to the Beta Client and see if it solves the issue:

• Open Steam Client and go to Settings, once again.
• This time, go to the ‘Account’ tab. Find the Change button.
• You will find the ‘Beta Participation’ option there.

• A new window will pop up once you click on it.
• On the drop-down option, click on ‘Steam Client Candidate.’
• Apply the changes and restart Steam Client.

5. The Red Shell Spyware

Almost everyone knows about Steam’s Red Shell spyware controversy. Some Steam games came with a Red Shell Spyware. It could track your data and share it with a third party. This was another one of the classical privacy issues that users face.

It posed more than a single threat. Often, Red Shell Spyware would slow down the system. Even though Steam fixed the issue a long ago, Red Shell might still linger. There are still some games and you can never be too cautious.

So, give these solutions a try, in case you have Red Shell:

• You will have to view hidden files on your system for this.
• In the Start Menu or Search bar, find ‘File Explorer Options.’ You can also do it by launching the File Explorer.
• Go to ‘View’ tab in the File explorer and find the ‘Hidden Files And Folders’ option.
• Click on the Radio icon. It might be the ‘Show Hidden Files, Folders, And Drives.’ option. Either way, apply the changes and click OK.
• Next, you will have to open the Notepad. If you can’t find it, use the Windows + R key together to launch ‘Run.’ Then type ‘notepad.exe’ and press Enter.
• Type the code given below in the image:

You can also copy paste it:

@echo off
set hostspath=%windir%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
echo 0.0.0.0 redshell.io >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 api.redshell.io >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 treasuredata.com >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 api.treasuredata.com >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 in.treasuredata.com >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 cdn.rdshll.com >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 t.redshell.io >> %hostspath%
echo 0.0.0.0 innervate.us >> %hostspath%
echo Host file edited.
pause
Exit

• Save the Notepad file. While saving, use ‘script.bat’ as the file name. Make sure to select ‘All Files’ during the save options. Click Save. Make sure to save it where you can easily find it.
• Now, all you need to do is find the file again. Right-click on it and click ‘Run As Administrator.’ 

See if the Steam Error disappears. 

6. Repair The Steam Client

It’s a good idea to repair your Steam Client from time to time. The program can face some unknown errors. These can pile up for various reasons. In the long run, it can be like broken fragments slowing the system down. So, you can run the repair:

• Launch ‘Run’ by pressing Windows Key and R key together.
• Type –  “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe” /repair

• Make sure to press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to launch it as an Admin. It will ask for permission.
• This should fix any issue with Steam.

Now relaunch Steam. You can also restart your computer for a fresh approach. See if this solves the error.

7. The Big Picture Mode

The Big Picture Mode is quite a useful feature. It allows you to use the TV screen with a controller and much more. Thus, you gain a holistic gaming experience. But, it can also cause a lot of issues. After all, it is for high-end performance, much like other Steam features.

The issue with Big Picture Mode started after Windows 10 1903 Update. If you’re facing the error, follow these steps:

• Once again, open Steam. Launch it and go to the Settings.
• Find the ‘Controller’ tab this time. Go to ‘General Controller Settings.’

• Make sure to uncheck or untick all the options and click Back.
• Now, you will have to configure these options individually. Start with ‘Big Picture Configuration’ and click OK, then continue.
• Once you finish all the configurations, it should stabilize the system.

Frequently Asked Questions