How to fix Steam error e502 l3

One of the most infamous errors is still causing issues.

Steam logo on a wallpaper of various games
Image via Valve

If you’re having trouble with the pesky Steam error e502 I3 and can’t access the Steam store or are experiencing other linked issues, you’ve come to the right place for a solution.

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Steam is one of the largest gaming platforms on the planet, hosting millions of users playing thousands of different games every day, from Counter-Strike 2 to Dota 2. With such a wide net of data being processed, error codes and other problems are a common occurrence when trying to use the service. 

One of the main errors users will experience is Steam Error e502 l3, which can appear any time when using Steam’s main interface. But it’s most commonly encountered when using the store or logging in. This typically means that Steam’s servers are being heavily taxed in some form, usually involving the store. 

How to fix Steam error code e502 I3

It’s an issue that persists. Screenshot via Steam

The best you can do on your end to fix Steam error e502 I3 is to try restarting your Steam client. While the chances are that this is an issue on Steam’s side, if they roll out a fix ,you may need to restart to get in anyway.

Here are some easy steps to follow to execute this plan:

  1. Load up the Steam client.
  2.  Click on the big X on the app in the top-right corner.
  3.  Or right-click on the open icon in your toolbar at the bottom and close the window/end task.
  4.  Find the Steam icon again.
  5.  Double-click it to reboot the system.

Users tend to see Steam Error e502 l3 pop up more during Steam’s big seasonal sales or when a popular game launches since thousands of people might attempt to checkout simultaneously. It can also impact your ability to click into your library to access your games. 

A pop up saying "There seems to have been an error initializing or updating your transaction."
Look familiar? Screenshot via Steam

Since Steam Error e502 l3 is a server problem, you’ll likely need to wait until Valve is able to stabilize its servers. But exiting or restarting Steam entirely can sometimes fix whatever issues you’re having simply by freshly relaunching the app. 

You can also check the Steam community hub, SteamDB, for specific status information, including how many users are online, how different areas of the platform are performing, and more. Also, you can monitor the status of the Steam servers yourself to see if the service is down.

Author
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Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.
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Jerome Heath
Senior editor at Dot Esports. Jerome has been in and around the gaming industry for the last eight years, and he's not going anywhere anytime soon.
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Andrew Highton
Andy is a Game Guides Writer at Dot Esports with a host of experience working at Dexerto, Twinfinite, Keengamer, and more. He's about as passionate a gamer as you're likely to find and spreads that love across a ton of different titles, but will also talk everything football, golf, and wrestling! Be sure to follow his thoughts and ramblings over at @AndyHighton8 on Twitter.