How to Claim a Free Steam Game and Find It in Your Library

This guide shows you how to claim a free game on Steam—whether it’s a permanent free-to-play title, a limited-time giveaway, or a free weekend—and then locate that game in your library so you can install and play it. You’ll need a Steam account and the Steam client (or the website) to get started.

What You’ll Need

• A Steam account (free to create at store.steampowered.com)
• The Steam client installed on your PC, Mac, or Linux machine (or you can use the Steam website)
• An internet connection

Step-by-Step

1. Open Steam and log in. Launch the Steam client on your computer, or go to store.steampowered.com in a web browser. Enter your username and password to log in.
2. Find a free game. There are several ways to find free games:
   • On the Steam store homepage, look for the “Free to Playâ€� section under “Top Sellersâ€� or browse the “Free to Playâ€� category directly.
   • Use the search bar at the top of the store. Type the name of the game you know is free, or type “freeâ€� to see a list of free titles.
   • Check the “Special Offersâ€� page for limited-time free promotions (often listed as “Freeâ€� instead of a discount).
3. Open the game’s store page. Click on the game’s title or thumbnail to go to its store page. Look for a green button that says either “Play Game,â€� “Install,â€� or “Add to Account.â€� The exact wording depends on the type of free game:
   • For permanent free-to-play games (like Dota 2 or Warframe), the button usually says “Play Nowâ€� or “Install.â€�
   • For limited-time free promotions (e.g., a game given away for 24 hours), the button says “Add to Accountâ€� or “Get.â€�
   • For free weekends, the button says “Playâ€� or “Installâ€� and is only active during the event.
4. Click the green button. Click “Add to Account� or “Install.� If you are not logged in, you’ll be prompted to log in. If you are on the website, you may be redirected to the client to complete the action.
5. Confirm the addition. A pop-up window may appear asking you to confirm. Click “Yes� or “OK� to finalize. The game is now permanently attached to your account (for free-to-play or claimed promotions) or temporarily available (for free weekends).
6. Find the game in your library. Open your Steam Library by clicking “Library� at the top of the client window. The game will be listed there. If you claimed it during a free weekend, it will appear as “Free Weekend� in the list.
7. Install the game. Click the game in your library, then click the blue “Install� button on the game’s library page. Choose a drive and click “Next� then “Finish.� The game will download and install. Once done, click “Play� to start.

Common Mistakes

• Not logging in before clicking “Add to Account.â€� If you’re not logged in, the button may not work, or you might add the game to a different account than intended.
• Assuming “Free Weekendâ€� means you keep the game. Free weekends are temporary. You can play until the event ends, but you don’t own the game unless you buy it.
• Clicking “Installâ€� on a free-to-play game and then expecting it to appear in your library before download. It will appear, but only after you’ve clicked Install. Some free games only show in your library after you install them.
• Searching for the game in the wrong library filter. If you have many games, use the search bar inside your library or filter by “Installedâ€� or “Ready to Play.â€�
• Claiming a game on the website but not seeing it in the client. Sometimes the library doesn’t refresh immediately. Restart the Steam client or wait a few minutes.

Tips

• Check the “Free to Playâ€� category regularly. Steam updates it often with new titles.
• Use the “Add to Accountâ€� button even if you don’t plan to play immediately. For limited-time giveaways, this permanently adds the game to your library at no cost.
• Turn on email notifications for games on your wishlist. If a game goes free for a limited time, you’ll get an email.
• For free weekends, try the game before buying. Your save data will carry over if you purchase it later.
• If a game is free-to-play but you see a “Buyâ€� button, you might be looking at a DLC or a bundle. Check the base game page.

Troubleshooting

• Game not appearing in library after claiming. First, restart the Steam client. If it still doesn’t show, go to your account page (click your username, then “Account Detailsâ€�) and check “Purchase History.â€� If it’s listed there, it’s yours. If not, you may have claimed it on a different account—check that you’re logged into the correct one.
• “Add to Accountâ€� button is greyed out or missing. This usually means the promotion has ended, the game is no longer free, or it’s region-locked. Check the store page for the current price. If it says “Freeâ€� but the button is grey, clear your browser cache or try the Steam client instead.
• Game shows as “Free Weekendâ€� but you want to keep it. You can’t keep it unless you buy it. During the weekend, the store page will have a discount. Click “Add to Cartâ€� and purchase it to retain access.
• Install button is missing on the library page. If the game is already installed, the button will say “Play.â€� If it says “Update,â€� click that first. If it’s not installed and there’s no button, try right-clicking the game and selecting “Install.â€�
• Game is in library but won’t launch. Verify the game files: right-click the game, select “Properties,â€� go to “Installed Files,â€� and click “Verify integrity of game files.â€� This will fix corrupted downloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I keep free-to-play games forever? Yes, free-to-play games are permanently attached to your account. You can install and play them anytime.
2. If I claim a limited-time free game, do I own it forever? Yes, if you click “Add to Account� during the promotion, the game is permanently added to your library. You keep it even after the promotion ends.
3. What’s the difference between “Free to Play� and “Free Weekend�? Free-to-play games are always free. Free weekends are temporary—usually 2–3 days—and you lose access when the event ends unless you buy the game.
4. Can I claim a free game on the Steam website and then play it on my PC? Yes, as long as you’re logged into the same Steam account. The game will appear in your library on any device after you log in.
5. Why do some free games require a credit card to “buy�? Some free-to-play games have in-game purchases, but the base game itself is free. You should never need to enter payment details to claim a genuinely free game. If you’re asked for payment, you’re likely on a paid DLC or bundle page.
6. Can I gift a free game to a friend? No, free games (whether free-to-play or claimed promotions) are tied to your account and cannot be gifted. Your friend must claim it themselves.

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