Open Windows Security (or your third-party AV). Step 2: Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions . Step 3: Click Add exclusion > Folder . Step 4: Navigate to and select your steamapps\common\DmC Devil May Cry folder. Step 5: Also exclude your main Steam folder (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam ). Step 6: Crucial Step: Verify game files. Go to Steam Library > Right-click DmC > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files. This will re-download any DLLs your AV deleted.
A corrupted API hook file or a broken background asset will disrupt the client handshake process. You can use Steam's built-in tool to repair these assets without losing your save data.
Well, not nothing. A tiny, mocking window popped up: “DMC Devil May Cry – Steam must be running to play this game.” Open Windows Security (or your third-party AV)
He hesitated. This could be malware. It could nuke his Windows installation. But the demon-slaying urge was primal.
How to Fix "Steam Must be Running to Play This Game" Error in DmC: Devil May Cry Step 4: Navigate to and select your steamapps\common\DmC
Steam has not registered the game properly.
Fix: DmC Devil May Cry "Steam Must Be Running to Play This Game" Error Go to Steam Library > Right-click DmC >
To fix the "Steam must be running to play this game" error in DmC: Devil May Cry , you need to resolve a communication failure between the game launcher and your Steam client. This issue usually happens due to missing administrative privileges, corrupted game files, or overly aggressive antivirus software blocking the game's executable.
If steam_api.dll is present but not registered:
Go to Steam Settings > Storage . Ensure the drive containing DmC is recognized as an active Steam library folder.