Steam Games Stuck at &quot;Loading User Data&quot;

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Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/1fgp9pi/infinite\_loading\_user\_data/

Found a thread from ~7 months ago with the same issue. Not sure if the forums allow outside linking, but for context this was happening to more than a few users before as well!

At the time it was escalated to GFN support although it also sounded like some Tier 1 agents were trying to kick it back to Steam support which isn't where the issue lies!

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roboczar

03 May 11:35AM

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Yeah it's not Steam, it's 100% the fact that GFN doesn't wait for the Steam API to send the whole licensing/entitlements blob before attempting to launch the game, so it gets stuck in a race condition with the API. The reason adding a free game or demo fixes it is because it forces a refresh of the session token, which also forces a refresh of the entitlements for the account. They didn't test their Steam API flow against large steam accounts with many entitlements, which is probably why they never picked it up in validation or QA

My guess is that the GFN backend devs 100% do it this way to shorten game launch times to meet performance KPIs, but in doing so, they shut out a major edge case where the game launch automation moves faster than the entitlements flow sent by Steam, which Steam explicitly calls out as a no-no in their API documentation. GFN's automation should be waiting for the entitlements to complete before attempting a game launch.

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08 Jun 9:18AM

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It is Steam.

There's someone on Reddit who has attested to having the same issue on a different platform. It's definitely not GFN.

Forface69

07 May 10:33AM

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This is a massive pain in the ass, having this issue on/off for days now. Switching servers, between EU servers some times works but overall GFN needs to get their finger out!

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reggert32

12 May 9:51AM

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Been having this problem also since about 2 or 3 weeks. Adding a free game works, but it is very annoying. Wish they would fix this asap.

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sirllamalot1980

14 May 1:37PM

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Been having this same problem too with EU West. other regions work okay but they're laggier. It's only with Steam games as well

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Zaanor

16 May 3:10PM

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A new GFN app version released last Thursday, but no fix for this 3-week old issue. Shame on you, Nvidia.

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16 May 8:08PM

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I don't think this has anything to do with the app, as the issue is happening within the GFN session itself. NVIDIA hasn't provided any information on it either, unfortunately.

08 Jun 9:16AM

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According to someone on Reddit, they have the same issue on a different platform. It seems to be an issue on Valve's side.

LuminousLantern

17 May 4:55PM

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I also have this bug, it happens every time for every Steam game I have tried. Searching around on the internet, I have found another workaround, which does not require adding free-to-play games. The workaround is as follows.

1. Install the Geforce Now app on your phone (I did it on my Android phone). Configure the "Streaming Quality" settings in the app so that the resolution is the same as the resolution you want to play on your PC.

2. Launch the Steam game you want to play from the phone app. For some reason, when launched in the phone app, Geforce Now does not encounter the "loading user data" bug.

3. Once Steam has properly started in the phone app, open Geforce Now on your PC and launch the game from there, this will "resume" your game session on your PC.

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david.schwarz

20 May 9:35AM

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Been having this issue constantly since last weekend. I can usually eventually get a game to start, but it can take 10 tries sitting watching "loading user data" for a minute before I decide it's definitely failing.

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jaykeone

23 May 6:58AM

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Same issue here with EU Central since weeks, adding free game on own desktop client helps, didn't try the Geforce app on android workaround yet or changing the server connection point, so thanks for the alternative hints will try all of 'em.

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Sunrising24

24 May 12:54PM

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It’s a shame, that NVIDIA shows no reaction to this problem.

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_Moorloch_

24 May 9:38PM

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I have this problem too

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Digital Advantage

24 May 9:58PM

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Same problem here. Please address this issue.

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Cyclics2000

25 May 12:25AM

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Same here and I have only 1k games. Please solve this NVIDIA

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8ZaZ8

26 May 3:58PM

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same problem here about one month ago. Only on NP-PAR-04 and NP-PAR-05 (maybe more), not on FRK or LON. Adding free game workaround runs fine.

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noirnight

28 May 10:38AM

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Still have this issue. Why is it not fixed yet Nvidia?

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karalisfumetti

29 May 12:34PM

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I also have the same issue. Adding a F2P game didn't but launching the game from the geforce now phone app and then taking the session from the pc works fine.

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Geekadilla

30 May 1:31AM

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very annoying issue. definitely not resubbing till this is fixed

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ZeZkeBe

30 May 5:27AM

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Same problem for me (on Steam Deck). Adding a free-to-play game works, but that's gonna get really annoying quickly for my usually rather short gaming sessions.

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JCRM87

31 May 8:16AM

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Same issue here. I was about to re-sub but I wanted to try the new app on Steam Deck first. This is awful, I'm not gonna pay again if issues like these take weeks to get fixed.

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31 May 8:54AM

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Please see https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/1kyf529/comment/muz00n0/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button

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Ackes

03 Jun 8:44AM

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I'm having the Exact same problem. Every single time I try to launch a game.

Adding a free game via steam app while it's loading does indeed temporarily fix it as others have noted. ~1000 games in my steam library.

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LightArthas

07 Jun 1:43PM

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Having the same problem here too.

Adding a free game is a workaround that works but it has to be addressed before people having 1000s of free games in their library.

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vash1122

09 Jun 4:25PM

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Same issue here. Happens on Steamdeck and PC (desktop and web clients)

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teqqra

10 Jun 1:22PM

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Hi, have same issue, stuck on the same screen, for a couple of days already.

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10 Jun 1:51PM

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Same problem

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Jutral

10 Jun 9:00PM

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Same problem. What's odd is that I was on a Founders Performance subscription, and all my Steam games were loading fine. I upgraded to an Ultimate plan, and I started encountering this same issue. So, I paid for the upgrade, and now can't play anything...

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lorddragoo

12 Jun 4:43AM

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I have the same problem, on all client platforms i have been trying to run any steam game (windows, steam deck, macos, browsers on windows/macos), i also have the ultimate plan and very large library. The only difference is that after a larger amount of time the "Loading user data" screan disasppears and i get an error saying i dont own the game, which is not true.

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DanoValo7

12 Jun 11:45AM

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I have this issue too, exactly as described by others. One note: I have only about 450 games myself, but I am family sharing and my total (my + shared games) is about 3200 games. I have not tested whether leaving the family would fix the issue (too much effort, sorry) but I assume so.

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Corpekata

10mo

15 Jun 5:08PM

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Same issues. I did have it working alright on my desktop but in attempting to troubleshoot issues with GFN on my Legion Go S, I logged out of the PC client and now the PC client also doesn't work anymore. Had some limited success with launching it first on Phone and then taking over the stream on my Legion but it caused input issues. Do have a large library. Don't particularly want to make the problem even worse by adding random free crap to my account.

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MacGuini

10mo

16 Jun 9:44AM

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Been having it so much more often lately. It used to only happen once in a blue moon. Now it's almost every session.

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TheDarkSpock

10mo

27 Jun 7:12PM

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I wasted money on a day pass just to stare at a "Loading User Data..." screen instead of actually playing any games.

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10mo

28 Jun 8:19AM

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I have the same issue each time

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MasterDK

10mo

29 Jun 1:03PM

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I reported this and another problem, and now I received this message:

"Hi, we've received some reports recently that this issue has been resolved. Can you check and try again?"

Nothing has changed for me, with all the problems I have reported

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JeffersonDE

10mo

29 Jun 2:30PM

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sadly have this issue too for since 2 or 3 month :( dont want to add free games all the timeonly cause i start a game...

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foxcek

10mo

29 Jun 10:16PM

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Having to add a free to play game for it to instantly work again for one session is ridiculous. This needs to be fixed.

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el-Fakir

10mo

04 Jul 3:15PM

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As of today, 4th July, it seems this issue has been resolved for me. GeforceNow Steam login/game starting process no longer gets stuck at infamous 'Loading user data' screen.

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el-Fakir

10mo

11 Jul 5:58PM

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Well, it was a fun and merry 7 days while it lasted. It was just like in good old days where I didn’t have to add a free game every time I want to start a Steam game. Nevertheless, today the bug has returned.

indiacharlie

10mo

11 Jul 10:28AM

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Still having this issue - running from SteamDeck, Macos, Win 11 :(

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indiacharlie

10mo

14 Jul 2:41PM

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@Manuel@NVIDIA any chance of an update on progress of this?

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GBO527

9mo

19 Jul 1:08PM

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I'm having this issue every time i launch a session.

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smasheddwarf

9mo

21 Jul 7:12AM

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same issue any soloution?

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Bragidor

9mo

22 Jul 11:46AM

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I'm still having this issue. Spoke to help team and no solution.

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9mo

24 Jul 12:37PM

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Is Nvidia trying to fix this problem? Honestly, I don't think so. We've had this problem for too long, and it's getting worse. At least it happens to me every day when I try to play a Steam game. I'm paying for a service that clearly isn't working properly. And this has been happening more since they implemented the 100-hour limit, because it's never happened to me before.

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9mo

27 Jul 8:28PM

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@deuxmor One thing to try, https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/121xapq/comment/n5iq2ns/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button

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9mo

28 Jul 10:28PM

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https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/1l25fpk/comment/n5pjboj/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button

9mo

28 Jul 10:28PM

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@deuxmor Here's another one. Also, a Google search indicates this issue is happening on local systems as well. There are many posts and YT videos about it. It sure doesn't look like an issue that NVIDIA is causing through GFN.

9mo

28 Jul 4:33AM

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I don't see any option in the Steam game library where you can check this option. The only similar option is to select which games can be streamed (and I have it enabled). This is something Nvidia should fix, though, since we pay for their service.

DDRGarf

9mo

31 Jul 5:27AM

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a new method has been discovered, but it needs a controller:

- disconnect your controller form the the pc - start any steam game on gfn - at the loading user data part, you'll see the overlay notification at the top right, wait when it's disappears - connect your controller and you'll see the same notification just with "HOLD Start to open GeforceNow in-game overlay" - after that with 1-2 seconds the game will starting

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Zoeytrope

9mo

06 Aug 1:51AM

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@DDRGarf, this solution worked for me just now! Hopefully it's a lasting workaround.

el-Fakir

9mo

02 Aug 8:18AM

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I tried to explain it here in detail: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/gfn-tech-support/46/572334/another-temporary-band-aid-fix-for-steam-games-bei/

8mo

24 Aug 3:18PM

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Almost half a year, and they STILL haven't fixed the problem.

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8mo

31 Aug 5:22PM

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@jim29er, I'm very, very, very, very, very, very aware. The problem still exists. That thread doesn't say much, and it's still an ongoing issue that neither side has resolved, despite what the OP wants to claim. Don't make links to it.

8mo

24 Aug 3:56PM

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https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/1mwb8ok/the\_loading\_user\_data\_bug\_for\_steam\_games\_is\_fixed/

It's a Valve problem, and it has been fixed for some folks.

AnicetusCer

8mo

28 Aug 5:00PM

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Came back to GFN after 1 year, this is still an issue. I'll keep trying to use untill my discounted subscription runs out, then just throw this service on the scrap heap, never to return, this will become a bigger issue as time goes by for more and more users.

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Daarh

8mo

30 Aug 4:59AM

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same problem... when i need to use this servise, its didnt work...

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wagnmw

8mo

02 Sep 9:35PM

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I was just about to upgrade for the new chips and all the sudden ntvida isnt working. I got 1800 games and a 18 years old account.

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wagnmw

8mo

02 Sep 9:35PM

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I was just about to upgrade for the new chips and all the sudden ntvida isnt working. I got 1800 games and a 18 years old account.

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wagnmw

8mo

02 Sep 9:36PM

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I was just about to upgrade for the new chips and all the sudden ntvida isnt working. I got 1800 games and a 18 years old account.

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107 Replies

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122

Steam Games Stuck at "Loading User Data"

Apr 2025

Nov 2025

roboczar

26 Apr 11:43PM

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\\\* IF YOU ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS ISSUE PLEASE UPVOTE THIS POST FOR SUPPORT VISIBILITY, THANK YOU!!! ***

Title of game(s) showing a problem: All Steam games tested (multiple titles, including AAA and indie)

Client the game is launched on: Steam (via GeForce NOW)

Mods/Steam Workshop Add-ons Installed: No. Issue persists with unmodified, clean installs of games (no mods, no Workshop content).

Platform: Windows 11 Pro (24H2, fully updated)

Device Information: N/A (Desktop PC; Ethernet connection, no mobile platform involved)

GeForce NOW Account Type: Ultimate

GeForce NOW SERVER LOCATION Connected To: US East (default), also manually tested on Central US and West US. Issue persists across all regions tested.

Description of Issue:

All Steam games launched through GeForce NOW get stuck indefinitely at the "Loading user data..." screen. This occurs consistently across the Windows client and browser-based play (tested in Chrome and Firefox). Issue is isolated to Steam games only — games launched through Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect work normally.

Extensive troubleshooting completed:

Signed out and back into GeForce NOW.

Removed and re-added games to the GFN library.

Cleared local GFN cache (CefCache folder).

Manually changed server regions.

No VPN usage, no browser VPN extensions.

Tested from both app and browser versions.

Additional critical context:

Steam account is 19 years old with over 3000 games in the library.

Temporary workaround discovered: Adding a new free-to-play game to my Steam library via the native Steam client temporarily unblocks the "Loading user data..." screen, allowing one successful game launch. After ending the session and attempting another game launch, the issue immediately returns unless another free-to-play game is added.

Suspected root cause (based on behavior and external validation):

GeForce NOW backend is likely failing to properly refresh or complete Steam library metadata/session validation for large-library Steam accounts during login or game launch.

GetOwnedGames or related Steam Web API calls may be timing out or not revalidated properly on session creation.

This leads to incomplete entitlement validation inside the VM, causing Steam login to hang indefinitely without error.

Steps to reproduce:

Launch any Steam game through GeForce NOW with a large Steam library (~3000+ titles).

Observe indefinite hang at "Loading user data..." screen.

Add a new free-to-play Steam game via native Steam client.

Relaunch the previously stuck game via GFN — successful login occurs once.

After ending the session, issue immediately reoccurs on next game launch attempt.

SEND FEEDBACK Tool Used: Yes — feedback submitted through the GeForce NOW application under Case ID: 250426-000462.

\ \ GFN - Tech Support](/content/en-us/geforce/forums/gfn-tech-support/46/index.html)

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