Did latest Parallels update - can't start Steam!!!

Discussion in 'Parallels Desktop on a Mac with Apple silicon' started by SWANDY, Mar 26, 2026.

  1. SWANDY

    SWANDY Pro

    Messages:
    372
    I did the latest Parallels update this morning. Reinstalled Parallels Tools and restarted my VM. And now Steam - which worked perfectly BEFORE THE UPDATE won't start. Every time I click on the app icon it says something about updating my installation (or something similar) and then nothing. I have tried updating it by downloading Steam's installer. I have tried uninstalling Steam, redownloading the app and reinstalling it - NOTHING. I have tried running Steam as an administrator - NOTHING.
    Love this because Steam worked PERFECTLY BEFORE THE PARALLELS UPDATE!!! Wonder if they actually run their updates BEFORE they tell their users to update.
    Any other suggestions? Thanks.
     
    NeerajT, BrianH33, TimW20 and 2 others like this.
  2. Pramesh Boodadoo

    Pramesh Boodadoo Team Manager Staff Member

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    624
    Best Answer
    Hello All,
    This behaviour is related to how Windows on Arm caches x86 emulation data. Following the update, the existing emulation cache may become stale, preventing affected applications from starting correctly.
    As a solution to clear the system-wide x86 emulation cache and rebuilds it on the next application launch. Run the following commands in an elevated Command Prompt (run as Administrator):
    1. Press Win + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
    2. Run the following commands one by one:
      sc stop xtacache
      del C:\Windows\xtacache /q /s
      sc start xtacache
    3. Once the service has restarted, try launching the affected application again.
    Note: The xtacache service is the Windows on Arm x86 translation cache. Clearing it is safe -- Windows will automatically rebuild the cache the next time each application is run.
    More details can be found in this article.
    Thank you.
     
    erichm3 likes this.
  3. Trishna Oobeyram

    Trishna Oobeyram Staff Member

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    429
    Hello @SWANDY
    We have created a support ticket to assist you further.
    Kindly check your email for further communications.
    Regards,
     
  4. ArtyomT2

    ArtyomT2 Bit poster

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    So are you going to fix this or not? Steam is the only reason to use your product
     
  5. SebastianB22

    SebastianB22 Bit poster

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    Hi Support-Team. I have the same problems. Steam will not start anymore. If you have a solution - i am interested too.
     
  6. KimB13

    KimB13

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    I have the exact same issue. Is it a general isue, or a local issue?
     
  7. GregB18

    GregB18

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    I have the same issue. Steam does not start at all after the latest update.
     
  8. kalbzayn

    kalbzayn Bit poster

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    It broke it for me, too.
     
  9. ScottH46

    ScottH46 Bit poster

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    I'm having the exact same issue. Any help here?

    THanks.
     
  10. ScottH46

    ScottH46 Bit poster

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    I am having the exact same issue, and it is one of the only reasons I run Parallels. Did they get back to you about this?
     
  11. PeterF29

    PeterF29 Bit poster

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    I have the same problem after latest update. I have reinstalled tools, uninstalled and reinstalled Steam, cleared caches, etc. Happened immediately after latest update.
     
  12. PeterF29

    PeterF29 Bit poster

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    Additional Info: Steam is running according to task manager but it does not show up in system tray and no windows are displayed.
     
  13. AssimA

    AssimA Bit poster

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    I had the same issue, downgraded to the previous 20* build and it worked fine. Was also very difficult to find the previous versions.
     
  14. JamesL63

    JamesL63

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    I have the same issue. Steam app won't launch after 26.3.0 (57392) update. I received the latest Parallels update this morning. Opened my Windows 11 VM and cannot launch my Steam app which was working before the update. When trying to launch Steam it checks for updates and appears in the Task Manager - Background Processes list but does not launch. I have tried reinstalling Parallels Tools, updating Steam with the Steam installer and uninstalling and reinstalling Steam with no improvement. Please could you assist with a fix?
     
  15. erichm3

    erichm3 Bit poster

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    Hey any news about this problem? I have the same here.
    With old Parallels Tools it works with new Parallel Tools it's not working anymore.
    Windows 11 25H2 an Paralles 26.3.0 ( 57392)
    Regards,
    Erich
     
  16. GlennS4

    GlennS4 Bit poster

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    Same here (and for another member of our gaming group).
    Updated Parallels from 26.2.2 (57373) to 26.3.0 (57392) and Steam no longer launches normally.
    We can see Steam processes in Task Manager but not UI windows ever open.
     
  17. EwaK1

    EwaK1 Bit poster

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    I have the same problem, tried everything I could find. Everything worked great until this update.
     
  18. viktorv4

    viktorv4 Bit poster

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    Same for me, Steam won't launch anymore after the latest update. Tried all the suggestions I could find on the web but no success.
     
  19. theurge14

    theurge14 Bit poster

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    Can confirm this just happened to me and now I'm here. I was only able to get Steam to launch in Safe Mode, but of course this isn't helpful.

    Just spent the last hour uninstalling Steam, reinstalling, etc. Is there something we can provide to you to help fix this, because this is really the only reason I run Parallels and now Steam runs in Event Viewer but doesn't appear on the Taskbar or any windows show up. Seems like this is the only app to do so.
     
  20. theurge14

    theurge14 Bit poster

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    I just used Apple's Time Machine to restore Parallels to yesterday when it was on Version 26.2.2 (57373) and what do you know, Steam is working again when I launched Windows 11.
     
  21. TimM34

    TimM34 Bit poster

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    I am also having this same problem, can you please open a ticket for me as well? Or post the resolution here?
     

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