TF2: I Can't Join the Server Map Because the List Is Unchecked

Checkbox

• Valve Corporation released an update in 2010. The update introduced a simplified list checkbox at the bottom of the server browser, which is enabled by default. When checked, it instructs the server browser to display pictures of each map. From the display, you click to connect to the fastest available server currently running the selected map. If the list appears blank, deactivate it to fix your server list.

Filters

• Filters can also prevent you from seeing a server map. Clicking on the button "Change filters" at the bottom of the server browser opens a new pane. The new pane contains a list of filters that remove unwanted servers from the list. If your Steam browser returns a blank list, deselect every filter in the pane, and ensure that "Team Fortress 2" is selected from the "Game" drop-down menu.

Blob Files

• Steam saves a cached list of servers in two separate files, which both have a .blob file extension. If those files have been corrupted, deleting them may help fix the empty server list. Before deleting the files, exit Steam. Then use Windows Explorer to locate the "ClientRegistry.blob" and "AppUpdateStats.blob" files that are inside your main Steam installation folder. Launch Steam again and refresh the server list.

Firewall and Router

• Misconfigured firewalls and routers also prevent Steam from contacting servers. If a firewall is active on your computer, open its configuration window and ensure that "Team Fortress 2" and Steam are both allowed to transmit data over the Internet. If you have a router, open its Web configuration interface and open user datagram protocol ports 27000 to 27015.