Change your Steam interface language in three steps
Open Steam and go to Steam (top left) > Settings > Interface. Under the Language dropdown, select your preferred language from the list. Click OK at the bottom of the window, and Steam will restart to apply the change.
Steam supports over 30 languages for its interface, including English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and many others. The language you choose here controls the menus, buttons, and text throughout the Steam client itself — not the games you own, which have their own separate language settings.
The change takes effect immediately after you restart Steam. You do not need to restart your computer, and your library, friends list, and account settings remain exactly as they were.
Key Takeaways
- Steam's interface language is changed through Settings > Interface > Language, and the change takes effect after Steam restarts.
- Changing the Steam client language does not change the language of individual games — each game has its own language setting in its properties.
- Steam offers over 30 interface languages, and you can switch between them at any time without affecting your account or library.
- The language setting applies only to your Steam account on that computer — other accounts on the same computer can have different interface languages.
Where to find the language setting
The language dropdown is located in the Interface tab of Steam Settings, not in any other section. If you open Settings and see tabs across the top — Account, Interface, In-Game, Updates, Downloads, Remote Play, Streaming, and so on — click Interface.
The Language dropdown is usually near the top of the Interface tab, often above options for skin, notification settings, and other display choices. The current language is shown in the dropdown box. Click it to see the full list of available languages.
What happens when you change the language
When you select a new language and click OK, Steam closes and reopens automatically. During this restart, the client downloads any language files it does not already have on your computer. This usually takes a few seconds to a minute, depending on your internet speed and which language you chose.
After Steam restarts, every menu, button, and label in the client appears in your new language. Your library, wishlist, friends list, and all your account information remain unchanged — only the text that Steam displays to you changes.
If you switch back to your original language later, the same process happens in reverse. Steam remembers your choice and applies it every time you open the client on that account.
Changing game language separately from Steam
The Steam client language and game language are separate settings. You can have Steam in English and play a game in French, or any other combination. To change a game's language, right-click the game in your library, select Properties, then click the Language tab.
Not all games support every language. The languages available depend on what the game developer included. If a language is not listed in a game's properties, that game was not translated into that language. Some games also require a restart after you change the language setting.
Language settings on different computers
Your Steam language preference is tied to your account, not to your computer. If you log into your Steam account on a different computer, you can set a different language for that computer without affecting your account on other machines.
If multiple people use the same computer with different Steam accounts, each account can have its own interface language. When you switch accounts, Steam applies that account's language setting automatically.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not work
If you change the language and Steam still displays in the old language after restarting, try closing Steam completely and opening it again. Sometimes the language files need an extra moment to load, especially on slower internet connections.
If the problem persists, verify that you clicked OK at the bottom of the Settings window — clicking the X button to close the window without saving will discard your language choice. Open Settings again, select your language, and confirm that OK is highlighted before you click it.
In rare cases, corrupted language files can prevent a language from loading. If you suspect this, you can verify the integrity of Steam's files by going to Steam > Settings > Downloads and clicking Verify integrity of Steam files. This checks and repairs any damaged files without affecting your games or settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing Steam's language change the language of my games?
No. Steam's interface language and each game's language are separate. You can change Steam to any language without affecting your games. To change a game's language, right-click it in your library, select Properties, and choose a different language from the Language tab if the game supports it.
Can I use Steam in one language on one computer and a different language on another?
Yes. Your language preference is saved to your account, so if you log in on a different computer, you can set a different language there. Each computer remembers its own language setting for your account.
What if my language is not in the dropdown list?
Steam supports over 30 languages, but not every language is available. If your language is not listed, Steam does not have a translation for it. You can choose the closest language available, or use English as a fallback.
Will changing the language affect my friends list or account information?
No. Changing the language only changes the text that Steam displays to you. Your library, friends, achievements, playtime, and all account data remain exactly the same.
How long does it take for Steam to restart after changing the language?
Usually a few seconds to a minute. Steam closes, downloads any language files it needs, and reopens. The time depends on your internet speed and which language you selected. If it takes longer than a few minutes, check your internet connection.