You’d think regional content restrictions wouldn’t exist in 2024, but they’re alive and kicking — and rage-inducing as ever.
Steam has to abide by copyright and distribution laws. This means you might struggle to buy a new game you really want to play.
Should you give up and miss out? Absolutely not. I’ll let you in on a secret: you can easily change your IP address, and continue to challenge everything.
Steam may have its limitations, but it can’t stop you from gaming the way you want to. All it takes is a bit of CyberGhost VPN in your life.
Change Your Steam Region in Simple Steps
To change your Steam region with a VPN, follow these steps:
- Install CyberGhost VPN.
- Connect to a gaming-optimized server.
- Go to the Steam Store and add a game to your cart.
- Choose your country to match the VPN server location and hit Update Store Country.
- Enter your new billing address and click on Apply Country Change.
Make sure your new billing address matches the country you’re switching to. After you make your purchase, your Steam region will be set to your new location, letting you enjoy your updated game library.
Before You Change Your Steam Region
Changing your Steam store location is extra easy with CyberGhost VPN, but keep the following in mind to avoid trouble later.
- You can only change your store region once every three months. Steam implements this to prevent customers from cheating the system, so choose wisely!
- Update your billing information to match your new country before making a purchase. If you don’t have an address in the country you want to change to, try using a hotel’s address.
- Don’t change your location to Russia if you don’t have a Russian credit card. Games are unbelievably cheap in that region, but Steam doesn’t like it when you take advantage. If you’re caught attempting to switch to Russia from another country, your account could be disabled.
A Word of Caution
VPNs are perfectly legal. Even so, using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions and currency regulation goes against Steam’s Subscriber Agreement. Violating Steam’s terms of service could lead to account termination. CyberGhost VPN doesn’t endorse breaching any service agreements, with or without a VPN.
How to Change Your Steam Region with a VPN
Changing your Steam region is as easy as making friends in Animal Crossing. Follow these steps and you’ll access all the games you like — without breaking Steam’s ToS.
- Install CyberGhost VPN. We support all your favorite gaming devices, including — but not limited to — PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. We use the fastest protocols for optimal speed and performance, and you get unlimited bandwidth on all plans.
- Connect to a Server. Launch CyberGhost VPN and select a server in your preferred country. We provide high-speed servers worldwide to ensure fast speeds no matter where you are.
- Launch Steam. Once CyberGhost VPN is running, go ahead and open Steam. When I tested this method, my currency automatically updated in my browser but not in the Steam desktop app. Don’t panic if your currency hasn’t been updated yet — we’ll get to that in the next step.
- Visit the Steam Store but don’t buy anything yet! Simply pick a game you’re interested in and add it to your cart.
- Select Your Country and navigate to your cart. Click on the country list above your item(s) — it will open a drop-down list. Choose the same country as the CyberGhost VPN server you’re connected to.
- Set your default country. A pop-up window will appear, letting you set your default country to match your preferred location. This will update your store’s currency and game prices.
- Return to your cart. The price will have updated automatically and you can proceed to checkout.
- Add Your Billing Info. Add your payment method and billing information. Remember your new billing address must be in the country you’re switching to.
Once you make your purchase, your Steam region will default to your new location. Enjoy your new library!
Steam Not Working with CyberGhost VPN — Troubleshooting Tips
If you followed the procedure step-by-step and still ran into a problem, this section might help you. Here’s what you can do:
- Log out and log back into your CyberGhost VPN account. Sometimes, simply logging out and logging back in can fix the problem.
- Try connecting to a different CyberGhost VPN server. Switching servers may help resolve the issue, as some servers may offer better connections than others.
- Reinstall the CyberGhost VPN application. Uninstall the app, restart your device, and then reinstall the app.
- Remove parental or security controls on your router. Some routers have built-in security features to block VPN connections. Check your router settings and disable these controls if necessary.
If you’re still unable to connect to Steam using CyberGhost VPN after trying these troubleshooting steps, try contacting our Customer Support team via live chat or email — we’re always there for you!
How VPNs Improve Your Online Game Experience
Beyond changing your Steam region, a VPN can enhance your gameplay too. Here’s how, and why you should choose CyberGhost as your go-to VPN for gaming.
Prevent Cyber Attacks
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack happens when someone forcefully floods your device or network with false requests to overload it. It can result in your connection slowing to a crawl. These attacks are rapidly growing in popularity — and they can cripple your gaming session.
Likewise, swatting — making false reports to lure armed forces to someone’s residence – is spreading in the gaming community. It can be dangerous, even deadly.
CyberGhost VPN masks your IP address to keep you safe, both online and offline. If cybercriminals (and sore losers) can’t identify your connection, they can’t use it against you.
Protect Your Data
Public Wi-Fi is a godsend if you game on the go, but connecting to open networks without a VPN is risky. Many public networks aren’t secure, so cybercriminals use them as a playground.
CyberGhost VPN protects your privacy and safeguards your data with uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption. It’s what militaries use to guard their secrets, so cybercriminals don’t stand a chance.
Set CyberGhost VPN to launch automatically when new or open networks are detected, or set Smart Rules of your own. In case of emergency, our Kill Switch automatically shuts off your internet when you lose connection with the VPN.
Bypass ISP Throttling
Have you noticed your internet connection drops at certain times of the day, ruining prime gaming time? Blame your ISP. If they determine you’re using too much bandwidth on gaming or streaming, they’ll purposefully slow you down to lessen the strain on their servers.
We hide your activity from prying eyes. If your ISP can’t see what you’re up to, they can’t interfere with you or your games. Not to mention, you get unlimited bandwidth on all CyberGhost VPN plans. Try it yourself with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Improve Ping
It doesn’t matter how fast your internet connection is, you could still have a high ping. If your ISP chooses a bad route for your connection to the game’s servers, you’ll experience lag. The further you are from your game server, the more infuriating lag will become.
VPNs can establish a more direct connection between you and your game server, removing interferences that increase your ping. Use CyberGhost VPN if you want to try to get a better connection to your game host.
Choose from our 116 server locations across 91 countries and stay safe anywhere in the world. We use the fastest, safest server protocols available, including WireGuard®, or you can pick a VPN protocol to suit your needs and speeds the best.
If you have any questions about configuring CyberGhost VPN for gaming, chat to our friendly 24/7 Customer Support team anytime. They’re happy to help.
CyberGhost VPN Just Got Faster, Stronger, Better
CyberGhost VPN now has 10Gbps servers, which means more bandwidth, faster internet speeds, and lower latency in your games.
Get More Games
Most of the games you buy on Steam won’t be region-locked, but you might run into a few limitations. Some games are only playable in the country you purchased them in, and some gifts can only be redeemed within their country of origin. A VPN easily gets you around these restrictions, and you can use one to join international servers too.
Remember, doing so may get your account into trouble, so you need a VPN that won’t sell you out.
We operate under a strict No Logs policy, and we’re headquartered in Romania, where there aren’t any data-sharing laws we have to submit to. We’ll never monitor, record, or share your activity with anyone, not even authorities.
Using a VPN to protect your identity, prevent cyberattacks, or improve your internet connection does not go against Steam’s terms of service.
Game On Your Terms
No one should have the right to tell you which games you’re allowed to play. Unfortunately, even gamers are at the mercy of copyright and distribution laws — and Steam is no exception. VPNs let you game your own way, and stay safe online while you’re at it.
If you want to explore a new world of Steam games — and get faster connection speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and uncrackable security — try CyberGhost VPN risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
It’s easy to change your region on Steam, but you’ll need CyberGhost VPN to do it. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Launch the CyberGhost VPN app.
2. Connect to a server in the country you want to switch to.
3. Open the Steam Store then add a game to your cart and select your new country from there.
Steam will only set your location once you’ve updated your billing details and made a purchase in your new currency. You can find full instructions in our step-by-step guide.
Several things might prevent you from being able to change your steam region. Steam uses your IP address to determine your location, so you’ll need a VPN to modify your IP address if you’re traveling or relocating. This allows you to connect as if you were back home no matter where you go.
Steam only allows you to change your region once every three months. Additionally, you must make a purchase to set your new location as your default country.
Be extra cautious about attempting to spoof your location for better deals, as Steam may ban your account for such actions.
Steam is not entirely region locked, but some games and content may have regional restrictions imposed by publishers or developers. However, you can change your Steam region with a few conditions. Since Steam determines your location using your IP address, you can use CyberGhost VPN to change your IP address.
Remember, Steam only allows region changes once every three months, and you must make a purchase to set your new location as your default country. While updating your location for legitimate reasons is acceptable, spoofing your location to get better deals is against Steam’s terms of service and can lead to account termination.
It depends on how and why you want to. If you’re traveling or you relocated, you’re at full liberty to update your location to match the country you’re in. That said, location spoofing by any means to get cheaper deals is against Steam’s ToS and may result in account termination.
Use CyberGhost VPN to hide your activity and protect your Steam account. Our No Logs policy guarantees we don’t track or store your data. Check out our quarterly Transparency Report to see how we enforce it.
CyberGhost VPN has a variety of benefits — for gaming and beyond. We encrypt your traffic to keep you safe from DDoS attacks, swatting, and other cyberattacks.
You’ll also stay protected on public Wi-Fi, so you can enjoy playing online games anywhere. Get all these perks and more with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost VPN has a number of features gamers will love. We’ve got gaming-optimized servers and we use the fastest protocols to ensure optimal connections every time — and to give you the best gaming performance.
Using CyberGhost VPN could also improve your ping. Pick a server close to your game server, and we’ll virtually place you within perfect range of it. Not to mention you get unlimited bandwidth and a ton of uncrackable security features to keep you safe in-game and IRL.
Leave a comment
Niki
Posted on 08/07/2023 at 14:05
It doesn’t work.
Ghostie
Posted on 21/07/2023 at 16:07
Hi Niki, sorry to hear you’re having some trouble with this. Can you tell us which step isn’t working for you, and which country you tried to change your region to? We’ll review the steps and get back to you.
Keep in mind, you can only change your steam region once every 3 months, even with a VPN. You’ll also need a billing address in the region you want to change to.
majus
Posted on 01/04/2023 at 21:07
can I use the money in my steam wallet, I am planning on getting the new COD game.
Ghostie
Posted on 21/04/2023 at 10:34
Hi, Ghostie
Unless you haven’t made a purchase in a long time, you should be able to use the money already in your Steam wallet.
Thank you,
Adrian
Posted on 15/03/2023 at 21:28
Is it possible to disable the VPN after you made your payment?
Ghostie
Posted on 22/03/2023 at 15:28
Hi Adrian,
You can certainly disable your VPN once you’ve paid for your games, but it might not be a good idea.
Steam usually turns a blind eye when players use VPNs for security or to get around region locks, but purchasing cheaper games could result in account termination.
This is why you’ll have to change your Steam Store region, and can’t change back for at least 3 months.
We recommend keeping your VPN running while using Steam to protect your account. Remember to connect to a server in the country you want to change your Steam location to.
Ali
Posted on 17/02/2023 at 16:02
Hi. I forgot to update my payment adress bills before I bought funds. I’m very worried about if I will get banned. Because Instead of buying the game, I tried to buy fund and i see that they have to check it and accept it. Do you think i should cancel it immediately? And as i said i forgot changing address. It’s not matching with the current county that I set with
Ghostie
Posted on 20/02/2023 at 17:41
Hi Ali, I don’t think you have anything to worry about! This is taken from Steam’s website:
“If your location differs from your current Steam account store country setting you’ll have an option to change your store region while you view your cart or as you complete your purchase”
Simply put, Steam only sets new your region once you have made a purchase in your new currency. If you changed the location to browse games but didn’t buy anything, your account is still set to it’s original location, and therefore won’t be flagged.
If you’d like to buy games from a different region, follow the steps in the tutorial and add your new billing information as prompted. Your Steam Wallet should update automatically, but remember you can only change your region once every three months.
Linda Gross
Posted on 09/02/2023 at 17:17
Cacacan I send a steam email gift card to a military man in Syria, and can it be used for more than gaming?
Ghostie
Posted on 13/02/2023 at 18:47
Hi Linda, thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, Steam is unavailable in Syria due to U.S. sanctions, so please be careful — this might be a scam.
Steam has a few regulations you should keep in mind. To purchase a digital gift card for someone else, they must have a Steam account, and you must be friends with each other on Steam for a minimum of 3 days. If the recipient has specifically requested you send a voucher code via email, please see it as a red flag.
As for your second question, Steam gift cards are only redeemable in the Steam Store, and can be exchanged for games, software, and game soundtracks – as well as the Steam Deck in countries where it’s available.
jose claro
Posted on 20/01/2023 at 10:07
Do this tutorial consider the restriction with the payment method that doesn’t allows paying with cards registered out of the target country u want to change to?
Ghostie
Posted on 14/02/2023 at 13:07
Hi Jose, thank you for the question. In some cases, if your IP address and Steam Store location don’t match, you might not be able to purchase anything. This is to prevent credit card fraud, in case your credit card or card details are stolen. Here are a few ways you could get around it:
demos
Posted on 19/12/2022 at 21:12
How can i turn back to my original country before 3 months wait
Ghostie
Posted on 14/02/2023 at 13:02
Hi Demos, unfortunately there is no way around this. Once you change your Steam region, you’ll have to wait 3 months before you can switch back, whether or not you’ve used a VPN. (edited)