How To Unhide Games Steam

How to Unhide Games on Steam

Okay, so you’ve got a bunch of games on Steam, and some of them have gone poof! Don’t worry, they haven’t disappeared into the digital ether. You probably just hid them. Maybe it was an accident, or maybe you were trying to tidy up your library. Whatever the reason, getting your hidden games back is super easy. This article will show you exactly how to unhide games on Steam, so you can get back to gaming!

Understanding the Hidden Games Feature

Steam lets you hide games to keep your library organized. Think of it like putting certain books on a shelf behind closed doors so they’re not in plain sight. This can be really useful if you have games you no longer play, or maybe some that you’d prefer others not to see if you share your account. But, this hidden feature can be confusing, especially if you can’t remember hiding a game in the first place. Before we get into the “how-to”, it is good to know where to look first and how exactly the hidden games feature works.

Why Hide Games?

There are a few reasons you might want to hide games on Steam:

• Decluttering Your Library: If you have hundreds of games, it’s easy for it to become overwhelming. Hiding games you don’t play or are finished with makes it easier to find the games you currently want to play.
• Privacy: If you share your Steam account with others, you might want to hide games you’d prefer they didn’t see. This could be for any reason, even something as simple as personal preference.
• Sorting and Organization: You may want to keep games you’ve completed away from games you are actively playing.

How Games Get Hidden

Games usually get hidden by you, the user, but sometimes you might not remember doing it. Here’s how it works:

• Manual Hiding: You can hide a game by right-clicking on it in your library and selecting “Manage” then “Hide this game”.
• Accidental Hiding: It’s easy to click the wrong thing, and accidentally hide a game, which is a very common occurrence for users of Steam.

Unhiding Games: Step-by-Step Guides

Now that you understand why games are hidden, let’s get to the good stuff: unhiding them. Here’s how to do it on both the Steam client and the Steam website.

Unhiding Games Using the Steam Client (Desktop App)

The Steam client is the app you use on your computer to play games. Here’s how to unhide your games there:

1. Open the Steam Client: First, launch the Steam application on your computer. You might need to log in if you aren’t already.
2. Navigate to Your Library: Once you’re logged in, click on “Library” at the top of the Steam window. It’s usually right next to “Store.”
3. Find the View Drop-Down Menu: Look for the “Games” dropdown menu at the top of the games list, just above where all your game titles are. By default it might be set to “Games” which will show all the games.
4. Click “Hidden”: In the dropdown menu, select the option that says “Hidden”. Your game list will now change and will show you the games you have hidden.
5. Unhide Your Game: Now that you can see your hidden games, locate the game you want to unhide. Right-click on the game’s name in the list and select “Manage”. In the “Manage” dropdown, click on “Remove from Hidden”.
6. Verify Your Game is Unhidden: Go back to the “Games” view from the same drop down menu you used earlier, and confirm that the game is no longer listed there.

Congratulations! Your game is now unhidden and ready to play.

Unhiding Games Using the Steam Website

Sometimes, you might not have the Steam client available. No problem! You can also unhide games using the Steam website.

1. Go to the Steam Website: Open your web browser and go to the official Steam website. You will need to go to the website of Steam not the client.
2. Log in to Your Account: Click “Login” at the top right corner of the screen and log in to your Steam account with your username and password.
3. Go to Your Profile: Once logged in, click on your username at the top of the page. This will take you to your Steam profile.
4. Select Games: On your profile page, click on “Games”. This will display your list of games.
5. Find the “Hidden” Section: Look for the “Hidden” filter section on the right side of your screen.
6. Unhide Your Game: In the “Hidden” section you will see a list of all your hidden games. Find the game you want to unhide and click the “X” next to its name.
7. Verify Your Game is Unhidden: Look at your main game list to ensure the game is unhidden. You may need to refresh the page for the changes to take place.

Perfect! Your game is now back in your main library when viewed through the website.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as we’d like. Here are some solutions to common problems you might encounter when trying to unhide your games:

Game Still Appears Hidden After Unhiding

If you’ve followed the steps above and your game still seems hidden, here’s what you can try:

• Refresh Steam: Sometimes, Steam just needs a little nudge. Try closing the Steam app completely and then reopening it. This will refresh all the data and might fix the issue.
• Check the correct view: Make sure you have the right “view” filter selected in your library on the Steam app, and have not selected the “Hidden” option still. This can happen if the view option was not switched before opening.
• Restart your computer: Sometimes, a full system restart can solve unexpected issues like this. Restart the computer and then check if the game is unhidden.

Can’t See the “Hidden” Option

If you can’t find the “Hidden” option, check these things:

• Correct Location: Are you sure you are in the right area? You can only see the “Hidden” option inside the library list, or when viewing the list from the Steam website.
• Updated Steam: Ensure you have the latest version of Steam installed. Outdated versions can sometimes have display issues.

The Game Doesn’t Appear in My List At All

If you can’t see the game even in your hidden list, consider these possibilities:

• Check Family Sharing: If you are using Steam Family Sharing, make sure that it’s not impacting the list. Your access might have been changed by a different user.
• Game Removed From the Account: Although unlikely, in extreme cases, the game might be removed if there were issues with the purchase or the game has been removed from the Steam store (again, this is rare, so don’t panic).

Tips for Managing Your Steam Library

Now that you know how to unhide your games, here are some tips to help you keep your Steam library tidy and easy to use:

Use Categories and Collections

Steam allows you to create categories and collections, which are ways to group your games. This is a great way to organize games based on what you are currently playing, or grouping games based on different genres. To use categories and collections:

• Right-click a game: Right-click on any game in your library.
• Select “Add To”: Choose “Add To” and then choose the category or create a new one.
• Manage Collections: You can create entirely new collections for specific purposes.

Keep Your Library Updated

Make sure you update Steam regularly to ensure all features work smoothly. New versions often have improvements that could help with library organization. Steam should automatically update, but it’s still good to make sure it’s on the latest version.

Review and Tidy Up Regularly

It’s a good idea to check your hidden games list occasionally. This way you won’t forget about any games you might want to play again. Taking a few minutes each month to tidy up your library can save you time later.

Customizing Your Steam Display

Steam offers a few ways to customize how your library looks, which can make it easier to manage. Take some time to check out different options for your game list.

In conclusion, unhiding games on Steam is a simple process, whether you are using the desktop client or the website. By using the instructions in this article, you will easily locate all the hidden games in your library and get back to playing them. Remember to keep your library organized and always explore the full range of features Steam offers to help you with your gaming.