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

Discussion in 'Parallels Desktop on a Mac with Apple silicon' started by SWANDY, Mar 26, 2026 at 12:58 PM.

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  1. ArsenT

    ArsenT Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    I have the exact same issue.
    If you managed to make it work on your end, please share a solution here.
     
    ArsenT, Mar 29, 2026 at 12:01 AM
    #21
  2. Ronkel

    Ronkel

    Messages:
    1
    Same issue here. Ran perfectly before the update, now I don't even get the Steam app itself to show any windows.
    Some observations:
    • The task manager shows Steam running with ~40 MB of memory usage and virtually no CPU load (alternates between 0.2% and 0%).
    • Starting games from desktop shortcuts also doesn't work.
    • I've downloaded and installed the latest Steam version, result staid the same.
    Everything is fully updated. macOS 26.4, Windows 11 all updates, Parallels 26.3.0, Steam (see above).
     
    Ronkel, Mar 29, 2026 at 12:43 AM
    #22
  3. TimW20

    TimW20

    Messages:
    1
    Have the same problem. What can i do
     
    TimW20, Mar 29, 2026 at 12:54 AM
    #23
  4. sbnoble

    sbnoble Bit poster

    Messages:
    3
    Same problem:
    Updated to Parallels Desktop 26 for Mac, Pro Edition, Version 26.3.0 (57392)
    Steam client appears to not launch (no windows or icons appear, no errors given) but several steam client processes are shown running in Task Manager.
     
    sbnoble, Mar 29, 2026 at 4:48 AM
    #24
  5. BenjaminS27

    BenjaminS27

    Messages:
    1
    I have the exact same problem. I tried reinstalling Steam, updating and restartting Windows and reinstalling parallels tools - nothing worked.
    Hope for a fix to this Parallels bug ASAP
     
    BenjaminS27, Mar 29, 2026 at 6:04 AM
    #25
  6. BrianH33

    BrianH33

    Messages:
    1
    I can confirm this happened to me as well. Steam client never appears. Background processes are there. Web helper will appear and disappear. Problem is that Parallels, and Steam both updated after the 26.4 updated of macOS.

    I tried flushing the cache. Uninstalled and reinstalled Steam. Did all that as admin. Reinstalled parallel tools. Other apps on Windows do not seem impacted (all I have is provided apps). I tried installing Chrome on a lark.

    At this point, nothing I have been able to do has worked.
     
    BrianH33, Mar 29, 2026 at 6:46 AM
    #26
  7. NeerajT

    NeerajT Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    I have the issue. Steam was working perfectly yesterday. Installed Parallels update today and now Steam won't work. Is it possible to revert to previous Parallels version?
     
    NeerajT, Mar 29, 2026 at 6:56 AM
    #27
  8. pufferdude

    pufferdude Member

    Messages:
    27
    I am seeing the exact same behavior. Steam (and games) were working fine. Updated Parallels to 26.3.0 (57392) and now Steam won't even launch, thus no games will launch.
     
    pufferdude, Mar 29, 2026 at 9:43 AM
    #28
  9. Pramesh Boodadoo

    Pramesh Boodadoo Team Manager Staff Member

    Messages:
    624
    Hello All,
    This is a known issue currently being investigated by our Development Team.
    As a temporary work-around, you may downgrade to the previous version of Parallels Desktop 26.2.2 to fix this issue:
    1. Download and install Parallels Desktop 26.2.2 from the link below:
    https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v26/26.2.2-57373/ParallelsDesktop-26.2.2-57373.dmg
    Note: During installation, you will be prompted to install the 26.3.0 version, just close the windows and select "use current".
    2. After installation > Launch your Windows Virtual Machine.
    3. Right-click the virtual machine icon in Dock > Actions > Reinstall (Update) Parallels Tools.
    In addition, you may also subscribe to the following article (Click Get Updates -> Subscribe) to be notified when the new update is released and see the list of changes.
    Thank you.
     
    Pramesh Boodadoo, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:18 AM
    #29
  10. JensL6

    JensL6 Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Thank you for the link to Parallels 26.2.2.

    Downgrading also fixed my issue with Witcher 3 no longer starting (reported in the games thread).

    Hope both regressions will be resolved soon.
     
    JensL6, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM
    #30
  11. PeterF29

    PeterF29 Bit poster

    Messages:
    3
    I reinstalled Win 11 which solved it for me.
     
    PeterF29, Mar 30, 2026 at 5:11 AM
    #31
  12. Pramesh Boodadoo

    Pramesh Boodadoo Team Manager Staff Member

    Messages:
    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.
     
    Pramesh Boodadoo, Mar 30, 2026 at 8:13 AM
    #32
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  13. JS_14

    JS_14

    Messages:
    1
    I am having trouble with this same issue, can you please help me fix!
     
    JS_14, Mar 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
    #33
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