How to Increase Download Speeds on Steam

If you are an avid gamer, you know nothing is more frustrating than a slow download speed on Steam. Even if you have a good internet connection, Steam downloads can be slow due to various reasons. Fortunately, there are many ways to increase the download speed on Steam. In this article, we will discuss ways to increase download speeds on Steam. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

13 Ways to Increase Download Speeds on Steam

Slow download speeds can be frustrating and can have an impact on your gaming experience. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to increase your download speeds on Steam. Follow these steps carefully to fix your download speeds on Steam.

Fix 1: Change the Steam Download Region

Steam allows you to choose from different download regions. You can select a region that is closer to your location for faster download speeds. To change the download region on Steam, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Click on the “Download Region” dropdown menu and select a different region. Make sure to select a region that is closer to your location.

Fix 2: Check the Bandwidth Limit on Steam

Steam allows you to set a bandwidth limit for downloads. If the limit is set too low, the downloads will be slow. To increase the download speed, you should check the bandwidth limit on Steam and increase it if necessary. To check the bandwidth limit on Steam, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Uncheck the “Limit bandwidth to” option. This will automatically set the bandwidth limit to unlimited.

Fix 3: Disable Download Throttling in Steam App

Steam can throttle downloads if your internet connection is slow. However, to increase the download speed, you need to disable the download throttling in the Steam app. To disable download throttling in Steam, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Uncheck the “Throttle downloads while streaming” option.

Fix 4: Clear Download Cache in Steam App

The Steam download cache stores temporary files used to download games and other content. Sometimes, this cache can become corrupt and cause issues with download speeds. You can try clearing the download cache to see if it helps. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Click the “CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE” button at the bottom.
6. Click OK.

Fix 5: Stop Bandwidth Usage from Other Programs

Other programs running on your computer can use up your bandwidth, leading to slow downloads on Steam. To increase the download speed, you should stop bandwidth usage from other programs. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Task Manager. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
2. Click on the Processes tab.
3. Click on the Network filter and check for any programs that are using up a lot of bandwidth.
4. If you find any such programs, right-click on them and select End task to free up bandwidth.

Fix 6: Turn Off Download Restrictions

Steam allows you to set some download restrictions to help manage your game downloads. While these restrictions can be useful, they can also slow down your download speeds on Steam. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to turn off these download restrictions and increase your download speeds on Steam.

Allow Downloads During Gameplay

The first step is to allow downloads during gameplay. By default, Steam will pause your downloads while you’re playing a game. This is a useful feature to prevent downloads from slowing down your gaming performance, but it can also limit your download speeds. To turn off this restriction, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Check the box next to “Allow downloads during gameplay” and click OK.

Turn Off Auto-update Restrictions

Another download restriction you can turn off is only allowing auto-updates for games. Here’s how:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. Select the “Downloads” tab from the left menu.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Only auto-update games between:” and click OK.

Fix 7: Set Steam Priority to High

The Task Manager allows you to set the priority of applications running on your computer. You can try setting the priority of the Steam process to high to give it more resources and potentially improve the download speed. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Task Manager. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
2. Click on the Details tab.
3. Find steamservice.exe in the list and right-click on it.
4. Click on “Set Priority” and select the “High” option.
5. Close the Task Manager and try downloading again. The downloads should be faster.

Fix 8: Try Using Ethernet

If your computer is connected to the internet using Wi-Fi, the download speed can be slow due to interference. To increase the download speed, you should try using an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the internet.

An Ethernet connection is a direct connection between your computer and a modem or router. This allows for faster data transfer rates than a typical Wi-Fi connection, which can be useful for downloading games or updates from Steam.

To use an Ethernet connection for Steam, you first need an Ethernet cable. These are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most electronics stores. Once you have the cable, connect one end to your computer and the other end to your modem or router. Your computer will now be connected directly to the internet, allowing for faster download speeds.

Fix 9: Disable your Antivirus and VPN Connection

Your antivirus and VPN connections can interfere with the download speed on Steam. To increase the download speed, you should disable your antivirus and VPN connections.

First, you should disable your antivirus software while downloading games on Steam. Antivirus programs can interfere with Steam’s download process, slowing it down significantly. To disable your antivirus, open the program and look for a “Disable” or “Turn Off” option. If you’re using a third-party antivirus program, you may need to refer to the program’s instructions for disabling it.

Second, you should disable your VPN connection while downloading games on Steam. VPNs can also interfere with Steam’s download process, slowing it down significantly. To disable your VPN connection, open the program and look for an “Off” or “Disconnect” option. Again, if you’re using a third-party program, you may need to refer to the program’s instructions for disabling it.

Once you’ve disabled your antivirus and VPN connection, you should be able to notice an increase in download speeds on Steam.

Fix 10: Turn Off Metered Connection

If your computer is connected to the internet through a metered connection, the download speed on Steam can be slow. To increase the download speed, you should turn off the metered connection. Here’s how:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Settings.”
2. Select Network & internet from the left menu.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.
4. From here, click on your Wi-Fi network.
5. Look for Metered connection toggle and switch it to the “Off” position.

By turning off your Metered Connection, you’re allowing Steam to use your full bandwidth, which will likely result in faster download speeds. If you’re still having trouble, try pausing and resuming your download.

Fix 11: Try Using a Different Connection

If all of the above steps have failed, you should try using a different internet connection. This could be a different Wi-Fi network or a different internet service provider.

If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, you should also consider switching to a different router. Some routers are better suited for streaming and downloading than others. Check out online resources to find out which routers are best for streaming and downloading.

If you’re currently using a basic internet package from your ISP, consider upgrading to a faster plan with higher download speeds. You may also want to consider switching to a different ISP altogether.

Many ISPs offer multiple packages that provide a range of download speeds. If you have the budget, upgrading to a faster package may increase your download speed on Steam significantly. However, if you are getting speeds lower than your usual package, it is best to contact your ISP and register a complaint.

Fix 12: Update Steam

An outdated version of Steam can severely slow down your download speeds when downloading games or updates. Steam regularly releases updates that could help improve download speeds. That’s why, to ensure you’re getting the best download speeds, it’s important to keep Steam up to date. Follow these steps to update your Steam app:

1. Open the Steam application and log in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Then, select “Check for Steam Client Updates…” and follow the instructions.

Once the updates have been installed, restart the Steam client and then check your download speeds. If you’re still not getting the download speeds you expect, move down to the following solution.

Fix 13: Reinstall Steam

Over time, Steam can become bogged down by outdated files or other technical issues, which can significantly slow down download speeds. If you’re still finding that your Steam downloads are taking forever, reinstalling it may be the answer.

1. Close all the Steam processes. You can do this by right-clicking on the Steam icon in your system tray and selecting “Exit.”
2. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features and select Steam from the list.
3. Click “Uninstall” to remove the Steam client from your computer.
4. Restart your computer. This will ensure that any leftover files or processes associated with Steam are properly terminated.
5. Next, open your web browser and navigate to the Steam website. Here you’ll be able to download the latest version of Steam.
6. Then, double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Steam.
7. Once the process is complete, you’ll be able to log back into Steam with your existing account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my download speed on Steam?

To increase download speeds on Steam, you can try limiting background downloads, optimizing your network settings, closing bandwidth-heavy applications, moving your download to a better connection, or using a wired connection.

Does my internet connection affect my download speed on Steam?

Yes, your internet connection will affect your download speed on Steam. If you have a slow connection, try optimizing your network settings or moving your download to a better connection.

Can I download multiple games at the same time on Steam?

Yes, you can download multiple games at the same time on Steam. However, this can cause the download speeds to decrease, so it’s best to limit the number of downloads you do at any one time.

Why is my Steam download so slow?

There are many reasons why your Steam download may be slow. It could be due to a slow internet connection, interference from other programs, a corrupted download cache, or an incorrect region.

Final Words

In this article, we discussed the different ways to increase download speeds on Steam. If you are having trouble with slow downloads on Steam, we hope that these tips will help you to increase your download speed. If you have any further questions, ask them in the comments section below.