Steam Download Slow? Tips to Speed Up Steam Downloads

Your computer’s download speed is fine, but Steam download speed is slower than expected, making game downloads seem to take forever. How can you fix this issue? Don’t worry; many users have also reported this problem, and you can try the methods below.

Method 1: Use a different download server location
Method 2: Try disabling antivirus software or firewall
Method 3: Clear the download cache
Method 4: Update the network driver
Method 5: Reinstall Steam
Method 6: Switch WiFi to ethernet
Method 7: Change the ethernet cable

Method 1: Use a different download server location

When you’re using Steam to download games, Steam attempts to select the best content server for you based on your location. But it’s still possible the server provides a slow download speed at that moment.

So you can use a different download server location, and see if the problem persists. Follow these steps:

1) Launch Steam.

2) Go to Steam > Settings.

open steam settings

3) Click on Downloads in the left pane. In the right pane, under the Download Region, select a region that’s near to your location.

select a server location

4) After using another download server location, check to see if the Steam download speed is restored. If the problem persists, try multiple regions until the problem is resolved.

Method 2: Try disabling antivirus software or firewall

To fix the Steam download slow issue, you can try disabling your antivirus software or Windows firewall.

Many antivirus utilities can be disabled easily within the software . But if you have no idea how to do it, you can contact their vendor for further assistance.

To disable Windows firewall, you can follow these steps:

1) On your keyboard, press Win+R (the Windows logo key and the R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.

2) Type ‘control panel’ into the run box and click OK to open the Control Panel window.

open control panel

3) Click on the System and Security link.

open system and security

4) Click on the Windows Defender Firewall link.

click on windows defender firewall

5) Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

turn windows defender firewall on or off

6) Under Public networking settings, select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall, then click OK to save the changes.

turn off windows defender firewall

7) Check to see if the Steam download speed is restored.

Note: When the antivirus software or firewall is disabled, your computer is exposed to public network without security protection. Be careful what emails you open, what files and apps you download.

Besides, remember to enable the antivirus software or firewall again after you try the method.

Method 3: Clear the download cache

Too much download cache can cause Steam download slow. To fix the problem, you can try to clear the download cache. To do so:

1) Launch Steam.

2) Go to Steam > Settings.

3) Click on Downloads in the left pane. In the right pane, click the CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE button and follow the on-screen instructions to clear the cache.

clear download cache

4) Once done, check to see if the Steam download speed is restored.

Method 4: Update network driver

Faulty and outdated network drivers can cause the Steam download slow issue. You can update the network drivers and see if it resolves the problem.

To update the network drivers manually, you can google with “PC name + drivers”, then you can go to the support page for the manufacturer, where you can download the network drivers.

Once downloading the drivers, you can double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

After updating the network drivers, check to see if the Steam download slow issue is resolved.

Method 5: Reinstall Steam

Reinstalling Steam may help resolve Steam download slow issue, you can follow the below steps to reinstall Steam.

Note: After you reinstall Steam, the downloaded games will be uninstalled. If you want, you can back up the games before reinstalling, so you can restore the games quickly when you reinstall Steam.

How to reinstall Steam

1) On your keyboard, press Win+I (the Windows logo key and the I key) at the same time to open the Settings window.

2) Click on Apps.

3) Click Apps & features in the left pane.

4) In the right pane, scroll down and click on Steam. Then click Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Steam from your computer.

uninstall steam

5) Restart your computer.

6) Download and install Steam again.

How to back up the games on Steam

1) Go to Steam -> Backup and Restore Games……

backup and restore games

2) Select Backup currently installed programs, then click NEXT.

backup games

3) Select the games you wish to back up, then click NEXT.

4) Select a location you want to save the backup to, then click NEXT.

5) Configure your backup file name and size settings, then click NEXT.

How to restore the games on Steam

1) Go to Steam -> Backup and Restore Games……

2) Select Restore a previous backup, then click Next.

restore games

3) Follow the on-screen instructions to browse and select the games you wish to restore.

Method 6: Switch WiFi to ethernet

If you’re using WiFi to connect to the internet, you can try to switch WiFi to ethernet, and see if the problem persists.

Method 7: Change the ethernet cable

If you connect to the internet with ethernet cable, the Steam download slow issue can be caused by damaged ethernet cable. To fix the problem, try using another ethernet cable.

Hopefully you find the above methods helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below.

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