Why Does My Family Shared Game Say "Purchase"?
Family sharing on Steam and other gaming platforms allows gamers to share games with their loved ones, making gaming more enjoyable and accessible for everyone. However, have you ever experienced a scenario where a game says "purchase" when you try to play it through family sharing? In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide you with some possible solutions.
Why Can’t I Play the Game?
The first possible reason why your family shared game says "purchase" is that the owner of the game is currently playing it. Steam Family Library Sharing allows the owner to play the game while shared with others, but when they are online, anyone else trying to play the game will see the "purchase" prompt. If you want to play a game that the owner is currently playing, you may need to wait until they finish playing or log out of the game.
| Scenario | Solution |
|---|---|
| Owner is currently playing | Wait until the owner finishes playing or logs out of the game |
| Owner has multiple active games | Close extra games to allow the current game to run |
Another reason why you may be seeing the "purchase" prompt is that the owner has multiple active games or has a slow internet connection. Closing extra games or checking your internet connection might resolve the issue.
| Scenario | Solution |
|---|---|
| Multiple active games | Close extra games to prioritize the current game |
| Slow internet connection | Check your internet speed and restart the game or Steam |
How Steam Family Library Sharing Works
Steam Family Library Sharing is a feature that allows gamers to share their games with up to 10 other family members or friends. When you set up Steam Family Library Sharing, the owner of the game adds you as a family member, and you can play their games while they are offline. The owner also maintains access to all of the games in their library while you are playing.
To set up Steam Family Library Sharing, follow these steps:
- Open the Steam client and go to the "Steam" > "Settings" menu
- Click on the "Family" tab
- Follow the instructions to set up family sharing and add family members
Tips for Successful Family Library Sharing
Here are some tips to ensure successful family sharing:
- Make sure Steam Family Library Sharing is set up correctly and all family members are authorized
- Ensure the owner of the game is offline or finishes playing before trying to play the game
- Keep your Steam client and computer up to date to ensure compatibility
- Check for any updates or patches before playing the game
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Set up family sharing correctly | Make sure the owner of the game adds all family members and sets up the sharing correctly |
| Keep Steam and computers up to date | Ensure compatibility by keeping the Steam client and computer software up to date |
| Check for updates or patches | Check the game’s developers’ websites for any updates or patches before playing the game |
Conclusion
In summary, the "purchase" prompt when trying to play a family shared game usually occurs when the owner is currently playing or has multiple active games, or your internet connection is slow. By understanding how Steam Family Library Sharing works and following our tips, you can troubleshoot and resolve these issues. Remember to set up family sharing correctly, ensure the owner of the game is offline or finishes playing, and keep your Steam client and computer up to date.