Here's how to disable Steam Overlay on PC. Follow the simple steps below to turn off the overlay feature of the gaming platform.
Steam Overlay offers a great way to stay connected while enjoying your gaming sessions. The overlay allows you to open up a browser without having to Alt-TAB out of your game. It is also great when it comes to inviting your friends to a game lobby. But of course, these are only some of the features you can do on the in-game hub. Although it can be very effective at times, a great number of players prefer disabling Steam Overlay.
People also ask whether they should disable the feature. That's because turning this feature can actually increase FPS. In this extensive guide, you will find out how to turn off Steam Overlay easily.
How Do I Disable Steam Overlay?
Follow the simple steps below turn off the overlay feature of the gaming platform.
- Run Steam.
- Click on Steam at the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select Settings.
- Navigate to the In-Game tab.
- Uncheck the box next to Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.
- Click OK.
That's how you can toggle Steam Overlay. It is actually easy as that. You might want to enable it again later on. For that, open the same settings menu and check the box.
Should I Disable Steam Overlay?
There are a majority of players who believe that disabling Steam Overlay increase FPS. On the other hand, there are also many users who haven't received a performance boost after turning the feature off. So it is not possible to give a definite answer to this question. It is best to try it out yourself to see if it has any positive effects on your game's performance.
Does Disabling Steam Overlay Increase Fps?
It is safe to say that keeping lots of tabs and windows open at the same time can affect your gaming session negatively. That's because more windows mean a heavier workload for your computer. On the other hand, Steam Overlay should not be a problem for your high-end PC. Users playing on low-end computers, though, might actually see an increase in performance.
Many Cyberpunk 2077, MultiVersus, and Spider-Man Remastered players share that disabling Steam Overlay increased their FPS. Yet again, there are also players who have experienced little to no impact on their game's performance.
What Happens if I Turn Off Steam Overlay?
Steam shares that some feature work through the overlay. For example, some of the games on the platform depend on the tab to utilize invites. If you toggle it off, you will not able to invite your friends on Steam to your game. But that is the case in some of the games. Here's a list of what you're losing if you disable the feature:
- You will not be able to take screenshots if you disable the overlay.
- In-game purchasing for some games will not be available as well.
- Various community features like the workshop and guides will not be available.
- You will not be able to use the built-in browser if you disable Steam Overlay.
Conclusion
Since disabling the feature takes less than a minute, it is best to see if it also increases the FPS in your games. We suggest seeing yourself to see if the performance increase is worth losing the convenience.
If there's a 2-3 FPS increase, you might as well enable Steam Overlay. But if turning it off grants you the much-needed FPS boost, you can simply toggle it off and ALT+TAB your game to keep up with other things