How to Fix Slow Game Downloads on Steam: Tips and Tricks

Main points

• If you find that Steam download speed is not fast enough, please check Steam’s servers first.
• You can adjust download settings and change download servers in Steam for faster speeds.
• There are several things you can do to fix slow downloads on Steam.

If you’ve purchased a shiny new PC game on Steam, you’ll no doubt be eager to download and install it so you can enjoy the real deal. But sometimes, you may find that Steam download speeds aren’t fast enough. This could be caused by Steam’s servers, but it could also be some simple issue on your end that’s causing the download to slow down. There are a number of things you can do to fix this issue, and we’re here to help you fix slow game downloads on Steam with simple tips and tricks.

1 Check if there is any problem with the server

First thing you should try

If your Steam games are downloading slowly, the first thing to check might be to see if there’s an issue with the Steam servers. Just visit Steam Status to see if the problem is on the Steam side. Also keep in mind that even if it works as expected, Steam may not be able to download at your maximum broadband speed because if your internet is particularly fast, its own servers may not be able to maintain such fast speeds at all times.

2 Check Steam’s download settings

Here’s a simple setup that might be holding you back

If you are experiencing Steam download speed issues, another logical thing to do is to check Steam’s download settings. A few simple settings here might be holding you back, but with a few quick changes, you can increase your download speeds and reduce your pain.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open steam.
2. Click steam menu In the upper left corner.
3. Click download in the left pane.
4. be sure Uncheck Limit download speed If checked.
5. return, Uncheck Schedule automatic updates If you want unlimited downloads throughout the day.

If you’re not using Steam Remote Gaming, you can also select “Allow downloads during gameplay” and uncheck “Restrict downloads while streaming.” Adjusting these settings may help improve your Steam download speeds.

3 Change download server

Automatic may not be the best

Under the same Steam download settings menu, you will also find that Steam has automatically selected your download region. Steam is a cloud-based service that automatically selects your download region, but this may not be the best. Trying a few others may help improve your download speed.

1. Open steam download set up.
2. beside Download areaclick the drop-down menu.
3. Find and Select a nearby download area.
4. If there are more than one, Try different places See if anything helps alleviate your slow download speeds.

4 Clear Steam download cache

Caching can cause problems

Steam has a built-in cache to aid downloading. While this tool can help with the download process, it can sometimes cause problems, so if you’re experiencing slow download speeds on Steam, it might be worth trying to clear this cache. To clear Steam cache, do the following:

1. Open steam and navigate to set up Via the Steam menu.
2. Click download.
3. beside Clear download cacheclick clear cache button.
4. A pop up There will be situations where you are required to consent.
5. You will exit Steam and need to Log in again.

5 Close other applications

May limit your speed

In addition to Steam itself causing download issues, there may be other factors limiting your speed. This may include other devices on the network as well as applications on your gaming PC. To check this, we recommend opening Task Manager.

1. according to Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard and open task manager and see what applications are running.
2. In Task Manager you will see a column labeled network. Click “Network” at the top of this column to filter the results by the applications using the most bandwidth.
3. then you can close anything Otherwise this is unnecessary and takes up a lot of network bandwidth.

Closing other game apps (such as Epic Games Launcher, Ubisoft Connect, Origin, etc.) can improve Steam download speeds as this prevents them from downloading in the background at the same time.

To close them, go to the taskbar and click the up arrow next to the clock, look for such applications and other applications that may be hogging network bandwidth, and right-click to close them.

6 Disable your VPN

VPNs often limit download speeds

If you have a VPN and the other fixes on this list don’t help slow down your Steam download speeds, you can try temporarily disabling the VPN to see if your game downloads are more successful. VPNs often throttle download speeds to accommodate more users and more data traffic through their servers. If you disable your VPN, you can eliminate this potential bottleneck and your download speeds may increase.

If you are running a VPN service when downloading games, you may also find that the wrong download region is automatically selected, which may limit your download speed and is another reason to try disabling your VPN.

7 Fix network problems on Windows

There may be issues with the network or internet connection on Windows, not just on Steam, so it’s best to eliminate any potential Windows network issues as well. The following are the steps to resolve the issue on Windows 11, but they should be similar on Windows 10 as well.

1. Pause Windows Updates by going to Start->Settings->Windows Update and hit Updates paused.
2. Remove data restrictions via access Start->Settings->Network & Internet->Advanced network settings->Data usage->Input restrictionsand then Set data limit to 0.
3. Assign a new IP address and DHCP configuration settings by going to Start -> Command Prompt -> Right click and select Run as administratorand then enter in the pop-up console ipconfig /update and press Enter.
4. Reset your network adapter to factory settings by going to Start->Settings->Network and Internet->Advanced network settings, then hit Network reset.

FAQ

Q: Why is my download speed still slow?

Of course, the problem may not just be your Steam download speed. It could be that your download speeds are generally slow. This could be down to a variety of factors, including the quality and signal strength of your router, someone else using up your home’s bandwidth, or other applications on your own machine chewing up data. Generally speaking, you can try some of the following methods to solve the problem of slow download speed:

• If possible, use an Ethernet cable instead of a Wi-Fi connection. This is more reliable and provides faster transfer speeds.
• Turn off other devices in your home that may be using up your bandwidth.
• If you don’t have access to Ethernet, make sure to use a Wi-Fi antenna to help receive the signal.
• Check your current download speeds and whether your ISP’s content is slower than it should be.

Q: Why do my Steam downloads start very fast and then slow down again?

This may occur due to dynamic adjustments in Steam network usage, fluctuations in your Internet connection, or ISP throttling. To troubleshoot, restart your modem/router, try downloading at different times of day, or change the Steam download region to see if you can get more consistent download speeds.

Q: How can I monitor my Steam download speed and progress?

Steam provides a built-in download monitor.To access it, go to Steam clientclick view In the upper left corner, select download, you will see the current download speed and progress. The tool also allows you to manage downloads, pause and resume as needed to effectively manage bandwidth usage.