Steam Download Slow | Easy Fixes To Speed Up

Millions of Stem users experience Steam download slow issue. It occurs if the download server is not working properly or because of corrupted files.

If you experience this bug, then at first we recommend you, compare your Steam download speed with the network speed. However, if you feel there is a difference and the Steam client is not downloading at the required speed, then you can try out the given solutions. 

We suggest you, read the article till the end and apply those workable solutions to eliminate this technical glitch.

Solutions to Fix the “Steam Download Speed Slow” Issue

Check out the feasible solutions in order to resolve your queries.

Solution 1- Remove the Download Cache

At first, we suggest you apply this solution as most of the time the Steaming download problem can be eliminated this way.

Step 1

In the beginning, you need to launch the Steam application. After that, navigate to the Settings option.

Under this section, move to the left panel and tap on the Downloads option.

Step 2

From the right-hand panel of the Download section window click on the ‘Clear Download Cache’ option.

Step 3

Now, a new window will pop up on the display. You should hit on the OK button and wait for the procedure to complete.

Then, sign in with your user ID and password and check whether the downloading speed has been increased or not. If not, then try the below solution.

Solution 2- Reset the Bandwidth Limit

Sometimes, if the bandwidth limit does not match with the ISP, then this can leads to the issue. In this scenario, you have to reset the bandwidth limit.

Hence, if you have a stable internet connection, proceed with the given steps:

Step 1

At first, you have to launch the Steam application and then open the Settings menu.

Step 2

Thereafter, navigate to the left panel of the Settings page and select the Downloads option. Next, look at the right-hand panel, you can see the  ‘Limit bandwidth’ option.

Step 3

Set the limit to ‘No limit’ and tap on the OK button to save the changes. After that, resume the download and check if any change is made or not.

Solution 3- Set the Download Region

This is another effective solution that you can apply to fix the Steam download slow error. 

In order to apply this solution, first, you have to launch the Steam application and then move to the Downloads section.

After that, from the right-hand panel drop-down the options for ‘Download Region’. Now, set a different server and hit on OK.

Reboot your machine and if you are still unable to download anything, then experiment with the different options for Download Region. If this solution does not work then continue with the next solution.

Solution 4- Check the Antivirus

If the above three solutions are unable to fix the problem, then we advise you, try to eliminate the issue with this solution.

Step 1

First of all, you have to click on the Windows button and type ‘Windows Defender Security’ within the search field. After that, lots of options will appear on the screen.

Step 2

From the right-hand pane options select ‘Virus and threat protection’.

Step 3

After that, click on the ‘Virus and Threat Protection Settings’ button. A confirmation message might appears on the display, click on the Yes button to continue the process.

Step 4

At the next step, you should locate and click on the ‘Add or remove exclusions’ option. After that, tap on the option that says, ‘Exclude a Folder’ and move to the Steam directory. 

Step 5

The default location must be ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam’. Once you have done with it then tap on the folder and save it.

Reboot your system and hope this solution will definitely increase the speed.

Solution 5- Lower the Disk Usage

Several users reported that, because of high disk usage, they experience Steam download slow error on their system. 

To fix this issue, press the Windows and R keys together to open the Run dialog box. After that, type ‘CMD’ in the available space and press the Enter key.

Once the Command Prompt window opens, then type ‘WPR -cancel’ in the given field and hit the Enter key.

Some users also reported that after disabling ‘Connected User Experiences and Telemetry’, the issue gets solved.

If this is the reason, then simply navigate to the Command Prompt and enter ‘stop-service diagtrack -startuptype disabled’ in the given field. Further, press the Enter button to execute the command.

Solution 6- Remove all other Connected Devices from the Network

In case, you use a Wi-Fi router for the internet connection and there are other devices or people are connected with it, then you will not get the maximum downloading speed. 

In this situation, it is strongly recommended to connect only the required devices and disconnect the else.

Solution 7- Refreshing Steam

If all the above six solutions can not fix the Steam download slow problem, then there must be an issue with the Steam application. 

In such conditions, you have to follow the below- listed steps in order to eliminate the glitch.

Step 1

First, open the Run dialog box and for that, you need to press the Windows and R keys together. Now, input the ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam’ path within the dialog box and hit the Enter key.

In case, you installed the Steam on another directory, then navigate to the directory to continue with this process.

Step 2

After that, you need to locate the following folders. 

• Steam.exe  (Application)
• SteamApps (Folder)

Step3

Now, you have to remove all other folders and applications except the above-mentioned ones. 

Thereafter, Steam will automatically download all the missing folders and files. 

Then, reboot your system and the Steam download problem will be resolved.

Concluding Remark:

Hopefully one of the above-given solutions will surely fix the Steam download slow problem.