“Steam failed to load: *SteamStartEngine(0xbfffdf54) failed with error 1: A Steam Engine Instance already exists”

Question

My Mac Steam installation on 10.7 has started giving this "failed to load" dialog whenever I try to launch Steam.

I have tried deleting the Application Support folder which allowed Steam to launch but then I had to redownload the games again, and I have a feeling that it is handling the symptom, not the cause.

What is the reason (what does Steam check for, so I can look) and how do I fix it?

Asked by Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen

Answer

Found something that sounds promising in a thread posted to steam official forum:

Please exit Steam and go to the folder Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam

Delete all of the files in this folder.

Then, you will need to launch Steam.app from your Dock or Applications folder.

With Steam running, re-test the original issue.

Note: This process will not affect your currently installed games.

Answered by Shadow Wizard

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