steam_log_family_view_linux.txt
See attached, I think a hint of the issue is with the nss libraries.
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1574913081)
Fossilize INFO: Overriding serialization path: "/home/fermulator/.local/share/Steam/shader_cache_temp_dir_vk_64/fozpipelinesv4/steamapprun_pipeline_cache".
roaming config store loaded successfully - 5765 bytes.
migrating temporary roaming config store
BRefreshApplicationsInLibrary 1: 10ms
[1128/211038.896227:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[1128/211038.957992:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[1128/211039.033964:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1574913081)
Failed to init SteamVR because it isn't installed
ExecCommandLine: "'/home/fermulator/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam'"
System startup time: 3.30 seconds
[1128/211039.531889:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[1128/211039.536849:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[1128/211039.889451:ERROR:nss_util.cc(748)] After loading Root Certs, loaded==false: NSS error code: -8018
BuildCompleteAppOverviewChange: 196
RegisterForAppOverview 1: 7ms
RegisterForAppOverview 2: 8ms
Ah-HA!
steam -bigpicture loads, then I entered the PIN to leave family view, then DISABLED family view, closed, re-opened and it worked!
(updating WORKAROUND section in main submission)
Nothing extracted yet.
Your system information
157491308118.04.3Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
I've been running Steam for years on this system, same OS, numerous Ubuntu upgrade cycles.
Last week I was fiddling with "Family Sharing", and tried enabling "Family View", that worked. HOWEVER, the next time I closed & re-opened Steam, it is failing to open now. I cannot see any obvious logs to search for that are relevant. It does not crash, it just doesn't render.
Roughly what happens:
Open steam (via GUI as usual, or
steamon command line)It briefly shows the "connecting" dialogue to the account

However then does NOT show the usual "steam interface", nor does it show in window manager (alt-tab, window list, etc)
Briefly I see the notification popup about "new item in inventory" (but it goes away quickly)

If we can click on the "new item", then it opens a "dead" small box window, and suddenly shows "Family View" w/ Steam icon in the window list


^^^ this is what has tipped me off that it is because of enabling Family View.
Steps for reproducing this issue:
(what it was for me, uncertain if this is reproducible)
Workaround
If Family View is indeed the culprit, this worked for me as a workaround to get out of the stuck situation:
steam -bigpicture<-- it will load!