How to Play Steam Games Over Two Computers: A Comprehensive Guide
Steam is one of the most popular digital distribution platforms for PC gaming, offering thousands of games to millions of users worldwide. However, many gamers face the challenge of wanting to play their favorite Steam games on multiple computers, whether it’s a desktop at home and a laptop on the go, or two PCs in different rooms. Fortunately, Steam provides several ways to play games across two computers seamlessly. In this guide, we’ll explore how to play Steam games over two computers, covering methods like Steam Remote Play, Family Sharing, and cloud saves. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to enjoy your Steam library on multiple devices.

Why Play Steam Games on Two Computers?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s discuss why you might want to play Steam games on two computers. Here are a few common scenarios:

Gaming at Home and On the Go: You might have a powerful gaming desktop at home and a lightweight laptop for travel. Playing Steam games on both devices ensures you never miss a gaming session.

Multiplayer Gaming: If you have two PCs in the same household, you can use Steam’s features to play multiplayer games with friends or family.

Shared Libraries: Families or roommates often share a single Steam account, and playing games on two computers allows everyone to enjoy the library without conflicts.

Flexibility: Sometimes, you might want to switch between devices for convenience, such as playing on a TV-connected PC in the living room and a desktop in your office.

No matter your reason, Steam offers tools to make gaming across two computers a breeze.

Method 1: Steam Remote Play
Steam Remote Play is one of the most convenient ways to play games on two computers. It allows you to stream games from one computer (the host) to another (the client) over a local network or the internet. This means you can play demanding games on a low-spec device by leveraging the power of your primary gaming PC.

How to Set Up Steam Remote Play
Ensure Both Computers Are on the Same Network: For the best performance, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.

Install Steam on Both Computers: Make sure Steam is installed and updated on both the host and client devices.

Enable Remote Play on the Host PC:

Open Steam on the host computer.

Go to Settings > Remote Play.

Check the box that says Enable Remote Play.

Log In to Steam on the Client PC:

Open Steam on the second computer.

Log in to the same Steam account used on the host PC.

Start Streaming:

On the client PC, go to your Steam Library.

Look for games that are installed on the host PC. These will have a Stream button instead of a Play button.

Click Stream to start playing the game on the client PC.

Tips for Optimal Remote Play Performance
Use a Wired Connection: For the best experience, connect both computers via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.

Adjust Streaming Settings: In Steam’s Remote Play settings, you can adjust the resolution, bandwidth, and frame rate to match your network’s capabilities.

Close Background Applications: On both computers, close any unnecessary applications to free up system resources.

Method 2: Steam Family Sharing
If you want to play Steam games on two computers simultaneously, Steam Family Sharing is the way to go. This feature allows you to share your Steam library with up to five other accounts and 10 devices. While only one person can play at a time, it’s perfect for households with multiple gamers.

How to Set Up Steam Family Sharing
Log In to the Host PC:

Open Steam on the computer where your games are installed.

Log in to your Steam account.

Enable Family Sharing:

Go to Settings > Family.

Check the box that says Authorize Library Sharing on This Computer.

Select the accounts you want to share your library with.

Log In to the Second Computer:

On the second computer, log in to the Steam account you authorized for Family Sharing.

Access the Shared Library:

Go to the Library tab on the second computer.

You’ll see a section labeled Shared Libraries with the games from the host PC.

Click Play to start playing the shared game.

Limitations of Steam Family Sharing
One User at a Time: Only one person can access the shared library at a time. If the host starts playing a game, the shared user will be given a few minutes to save and exit.

Restricted Games: Some games may not be available for sharing due to licensing restrictions.

Method 3: Steam Cloud Saves
If you frequently switch between two computers, Steam Cloud Saves ensure your game progress is synced across devices. This feature automatically uploads your save files to the cloud, so you can pick up where you left off on any computer.

How to Use Steam Cloud Saves
Enable Cloud Saves:

Open Steam and go to Settings > Cloud.

Ensure the box that says Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization is checked.

Check Game Compatibility:

Not all games support Steam Cloud Saves. Look for the cloud icon next to a game in your library to confirm compatibility.

Play and Sync:

Play the game on one computer and save your progress.

When you switch to the second computer, Steam will automatically download the latest save files from the cloud.

Benefits of Steam Cloud Saves
Seamless Progress Transfer: No need to manually transfer save files between computers.

Backup Protection: Your saves are backed up online, so you won’t lose progress if your computer crashes.

Method 4: Install Games on Both Computers
For the simplest solution, you can install your Steam games on both computers. This method works best if both devices meet the game’s system requirements.

Steps to Install Games on Two Computers
Log In to Steam on Both Devices:

Use the same Steam account on both computers.

Download and Install Games:

Go to your Steam Library and install the games you want to play on both devices.

Use Steam Cloud Saves:

Ensure Steam Cloud Saves are [[two player games](http://twoplayergames.site/)
](https://) enabled to sync your progress between the two installations.

Pros and Cons
Pros: No need for streaming or sharing; both computers can run games independently.

Cons: Requires sufficient storage space on both devices, and some games may have large file sizes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues
While playing Steam games on two computers is generally straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Here’s how to resolve them:

Poor Remote Play Performance:

Check your network speed and stability.

Lower the streaming quality in Steam’s Remote Play settings.

Family Sharing Not Working:

Ensure both computers are authorized for Family Sharing.

Log out and back into Steam on both devices.

Cloud Saves Not Syncing:

Verify that the game supports Steam Cloud Saves.

Check your internet connection and Steam’s cloud settings.

Conclusion
Playing Steam games over two computers is easier than ever, thanks to features like Steam Remote Play, Family Sharing, and Cloud Saves. Whether you’re gaming at home and on the go, sharing your library with family, or simply switching between devices, Steam provides the tools you need for a seamless experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy your favorite games on multiple computers without missing a beat.