How to Speed Up Steam Downloads

Modern games are getting larger, with many titles easily exceeding the 100GB mark. To install these behemoths from Steam in any reasonable amount of time, you’ll need solid download speeds. But what if they’re just painfully slow?

Slow download speeds can happen for various reasons, such as issues with your internet connection, misconfigured Steam download settings, and cache corruption. Since fast downloads translate to less waiting and more gaming, this guide will show you how to speed up Steam downloads on your PC.

How to Speed Up Steam Downloads?

There are several ways to speed up Steam downloads. Start by checking your internet connection. If there’s nothing wrong with it, focus on optimizing Steam’s download settings. Clear the Steam download cache and set up router port forwarding if the issue persists.

Check Your Internet Connection

If Steam downloads are slow, you should first test your internet speed to ensure the problem isn’t with your connection. Tools like Speedtest.net and Fast.com can quickly help you check if you’re coming close to those upload and download speeds advertised by your internet service provider (ISP).

If your internet connection is slow, try turning your router off and then back on to reset your connection—this is a quick fix that can resolve most random issues. You must also check your computer—and any other devices sharing the connection—for apps that might be hogging up bandwidth and pause their activity.

For a more stable connection, consider using a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Sure—it’s less convenient. However, Ethernet provides faster and more reliable speeds compared to Wi-Fi. Plus, it improves latency during online gaming by a lot!

Adjust Steam Download Settings

Incorrectly configured Steam download settings can result in slower download speeds. Take the time to check each setting to ensure this isn’t the case.

To adjust the Steam download settings:

1. Open Steam and select Steam > Settings on the menu bar.
   

2. In the Steam Settings dialog, choose Downloads on the sidebar.
   

3. Check and configure the following settings:
   

• Download region: Confirm the selected region is closest to your location. This ensures Steam fetches data from the fastest servers in your area.
  
• Limit download speed: If enabled, this setting caps download speeds. Either disable it or set a higher limit.
  
• Allow downloads during gameplay: Do you hate when downloads automatically pause when you start a game? You can prevent that by enabling this setting.
  
• Throttle downloads while streaming: When you use Steam Remote Play, this setting slows downloads to maintain streaming quality. Disable it to prioritize faster downloads.
  
• Game File Transfer over Local Network: Enable this setting to drastically speed up downloads by allowing Steam to transfer data from other computers (if they already have the games you want to install) on your local network.
  

Clear Steam Cache

Steam uses cached data from its servers to improve performance, but corrupt files within the cache can also create problems. That’s why the app has an option to delete the download cache.

To clear the Steam download cache:

1. Open the Steam Settings panel and select Downloads.
   
2. Select Clear next to Clear Download Cache.
   

3. Select Confirm on the confirmation pop-up.
   

After clearing the cache, Steam will restart, and you’ll need to log in again with your Steam credentials. If clearing the cache improves download speeds, consider doing it occasionally to avoid download problems before they happen.

Optimize Your Network Settings

If video games continue to take ages to download, consider setting up port forwarding on your router for Steam. Port forwarding ensures Steam receives data from its servers without interference, potentially boosting download speeds.

Before you begin:

• You’ll need your router’s IP address, admin username, and password—you can find these details printed on the router.
  
• You’ll also need your computer’s IP address. On Windows, go to Settings > Network > Properties and look for the iPv4 field. On macOS, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi/Ethernet > Details (next to the active network name) > IP address.
  

To set up port forwarding for Steam:

1. Open a web browser, type your router’s IP address in the address bar, and press Enter.
   
2. Log in with your router admin credentials.
   

3. Locate the Port Forwarding section within the router settings.
   
4. Set the description to Steam_TCP.
   
5. Set the protocol to TCP and enter ports 27015 and 27050 into the WAN and LAN fields.
   
6. Enter your computer’s IP address or select its name if your router lists it.
   
7. Check the box next to Enable Mapping.
   

8. Select Add.
   
9. Repeat the process by inserting two additional port forwarding entries called Steam_HTTP_HTTPS and Steam_UDP with the following protocol and port numbers:
   

• TCP: 40 – 443
  
• UDP: 20715 – 27050
  

Another tip—from Steam itself—is to go through the router settings and disable settings that could interfere with Steam’s download performance. These include:

• Quality of Service (QoS)
  
• Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
  
• Dynamic packet filtering
  
• Stateful inspection
  

Schedule Downloads During Off-Peak Hours

Network congestion often slows download speeds during peak hours. If you’re not in a rush, try starting downloads late at night when the network traffic is lighter.

But can you schedule game downloads on Steam? Unfortunately, no. However, Steam does allow you to schedule updates.

To set up scheduled updates on Steam:

1. Go to your Steam Settings and select Downloads.
   
2. Toggle on the switch next to Schedule auto-updates.
   
3. Set a time frame when network activity in your area is lower—e.g., 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.
   

Troubleshoot Slow Download Speeds

If your Steam download speeds are still slow, try working on the pointers below:

• Restart Steam: Restarting Steam refreshes it and resolves unexpected issues causing slower downloads. Select Steam > Exit from the menu bar to fully close Steam, then relaunch it.
  
• Restart the computer: Similarly, restarting your computer can fix any system-wide problems impacting network activity in apps like Steam.
  
• Check the Steam status page: The issue might be on Steam’s end. Visit Steamstat.us to see if there’s a server outage in your region.
  
• Check for software conflicts: If Steam worked fine before, a recently installed app might be causing conflicts. Go to Settings > Apps (Windows) or Finder > Applications (macOS) to review and uninstall recent apps.
  
• Disable VPN: VPNs (virtual private networks) can slow down your internet connection significantly. If you’re using one on your computer, try disabling it. On macOS, you should also go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and ensure that Private Relay is off.
  
• Contact your ISP: If you suspect your internet connection is to blame, contact your internet service provider. They can help fix problems that are outside your control.
  

Conclusion

It’s unrealistic to expect Steam to download games at maximum speed all the time. But when downloads slow down to a crawl, making sure nothing’s wrong with your internet connection and tweaking Steam’s download settings can make a difference.

Hanging around the Steam forums or gaming communities on platforms like Reddit can also give you more ideas about improving download performance. And if you have any tips you’d like to share, please drop them in the comments.