Easy steps to turn off the Shift + Tab overlay in Steam

If the Steam overlay gets in the way of your gaming or if it makes your computer run slow, you can easily turn it off. You can turn off the Steam overlay for all games at once or for specific games. Here's how to disable the Steam overlay using your Windows or Mac computer.

Turning Off the Overlay in Steam

To disable Steam overlay for all games, click Steam > Settings > In Game and toggle off "Enable the Steam Overlay while in game". To disable the overlay for one specific game, go to the game's page and open its properties. Then, toggle off the overlay setting.

Section 1 of 3:

Disabling Steam Overlay for All Games

  1. This will open a drop-down menu.[1]
    • If the Steam overlay pops up at inconvenient times during your gameplay, you can easily disable it for all your games. This may also help if you're having any performance issues while playing.
  2. A new window will open.
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  3. You can find this in the left panel, between Cloud and Accessibility.
  4. The switch will turn grey (off). This will prevent the Steam overlay from opening in all games you play. If you want to disable the Steam overlay for specific games, see the next section to do so.
    • If you don't want to turn it off entirely, you can change the keybinds by clicking the Overlay shortcut key(s) box and entering a new shortcut.
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Section 2 of 3:

Disabling Steam Overlay for One Game

  1. This will open a list of all your games.
    • Use this method to turn off the Steam overlay for a specific game rather than every game.
  2. You can scroll through your recent games or find it in the list on the left. You'll be taken to the game's page.
  3. The cog icon can be found in the top-right, underneath the game's header. A new window will open.
  4. The switch will turn grey (off). This will prevent the Steam overlay from opening in this specific game.
    • If you need to disable the Steam overlay in other games, repeat these steps for those games.
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Section 3 of 3:

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. 1
    What is the Steam overlay used for? The Steam overlay can be used to see your friend list and game invites, access the trading market, in-game purchasing, recordings and screenshots, and other community features.[2]
  2. 2
    Why is the Steam overlay not opening? Make sure the overlay is enabled in your settings and the game's settings. The default keyboard shortcut is Shift + Tab, but be sure to check your settings to make sure you haven't changed it.[3]
  3. 3
    Why does the Steam overlay freeze? If the overlay is buggy, try restarting your computer. You should also make sure you're running the latest version of Steam. You can also try verifying your local game files by going to the game's properties and selecting Local Files > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
    • If you still have trouble, double-check if Steam is being blocked by your antivirus, firewall, or another software.
    • You may also need to update your computer's operating system.
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
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Updated: December 11, 2025
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Categories: Steam Games
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