If your Steam downloads stall, crawl, or bounce between 0 bytes and full speed, the bottleneck is rarely your raw internet plan alone. Steam’s download system balances disk writing, decompression, bandwidth allocation, and background app limits, and a single misconfigured toggle can throttle the whole pipeline. To get faster, more stable downloads you should prioritize three things: giving Steam unrestricted bandwidth and a nearby content server, reducing disk contention during installation, and preventing Windows or your router from throttling the connection. The good news is most of these fixes take less than a minute inside Steam or Windows and are fully reversible, which is especially relevant as game sizes continue to grow in 2026.
Quick Recommended Settings
| Setting | Recommended value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region | Nearest major city to your location | Connects you to the lowest-latency content server with the most available capacity |
| Steam > Settings > Downloads > Limit bandwidth to | Uncheck / No limit | Removes Steam’s internal cap so downloads use available bandwidth |
| Steam > Settings > Downloads > Throttle downloads while streaming | Uncheck | Prevents automatic throttling when Steam Remote Play or Broadcasting is active |
| Steam > Settings > Downloads > Allow downloads during gameplay | Check (enabled) | Allows patching and queuing without pausing every time a game launches |
| Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache | Use only when corrupt or slow | Re-authenticates content servers and fixes corrupted cache that stalls downloads |
| Steam > Settings > Storage > Library Location | Internal SSD with NTFS, 15-30 GB free minimum | Avoids disk-write bottleneck and fragmentation on slow or nearly full drives |
| Steam Library > Game > Properties > Updates > Background downloads | Allow background downloads | Ensures queued updates are not blocked by a running game |
| Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Metered connection | Off | Stops Windows from throttling Steam background data |
| Connection type | Wired Ethernet over Wi-Fi; 5 GHz if Wi-Fi only | Reduces packet loss and latency spikes that force Steam to retry chunks |
Setting-by-Setting
1. Download Region – Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region
What causes it: Steam assigns a content server based on your Download Region. If the region is distant, overloaded, or was set automatically during travel or VPN use, routing distance and server load increase latency and cause speed drops to 0 bytes.
How to check: Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings > Downloads. Look at the dropdown for Download Region. Compare it to your actual metro area. If it shows a different state or country, it is mismatched.
What to do: Click the Download Region dropdown and select the closest major city. Click OK, then completely restart Steam from Steam > Exit, not just closing the window. Start a download and monitor Steam > Settings > Downloads > Display download rates in bits per second to see if stability improves. If speeds remain low, test one or two neighboring regions one at a time.
How to undo: Return to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region and re-select your previous region from the same dropdown.
2. Limit Bandwidth To – Steam > Settings > Downloads > Limit bandwidth to
What causes it: Steam includes an optional limiter that caps downloads to a fixed Kbps value. When enabled, downloads will never exceed that value even if your connection can handle more, which is often left on after troubleshooting or tethering.
How to check: Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads. See if the checkbox for Limit bandwidth to is checked. If checked, note the value in Kbps shown next to it.
What to do: Uncheck Limit bandwidth to entirely for maximum speed. If you must share bandwidth with others in the household, leave it checked but set it to a realistic ceiling such as 45000 to 80000 Kbps for a 50 to 80 Mbps allowance, or 125000 Kbps for roughly 125 Mbps. Click OK.
How to undo: Re-check Limit bandwidth to and re-enter your previous Kbps value, then click OK.
3. Throttle Downloads While Streaming – Steam > Settings > Downloads > Throttle downloads while streaming
What causes it: When this is enabled, Steam automatically reduces download speed whenever you are streaming via Remote Play or broadcasting. This prevents downloads from interfering with the stream but creates unexplained slowdowns.
How to check: In Steam > Settings > Downloads, find Throttle downloads while streaming near the bottom of the panel.
What to do: Uncheck Throttle downloads while streaming if you want full download speed at all times. Keep this in mind if you stream to a TV or handheld while downloading.
How to undo: Re-check Throttle downloads while streaming.
Trade-off: Disabling gives faster downloads but may introduce stutter or latency to an active Remote Play session on limited connections.
4. Allow Downloads During Gameplay – Steam > Settings > Downloads > Allow downloads during gameplay
What causes it: By default, Steam pauses downloads when a game is running to preserve CPU, disk, and network for the game. This makes patch queues appear stuck.
How to check: In Steam > Settings > Downloads, look for Allow downloads during gameplay.
What to do: Check Allow downloads during gameplay. For individual titles you can also fine-tune under Library > Right-click the game > Properties > Updates > Background downloads > Allow background downloads. This lets less demanding games patch in the background while you play.
How to undo: Uncheck Allow downloads during gameplay to restore default pausing behavior.
Trade-off: Enabling may cause minor frame time spikes or longer load times in disk-heavy games while Steam writes and decompresses in the background.
5. Clear Download Cache – Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache
What causes it: Corrupted download cache, stale depot configs, or authentication tokens can cause downloads to repeatedly start, stop, or display Disk Write Error, Missing Content Manifest, or appear to be stuck at a percentage.
How to check: If downloads constantly restart, fail to resume after pause, or show 0 bytes per second on a connection that tests fine in a browser speed test, the cache may be corrupted. Check Steam > Settings > Downloads for the Clear Download Cache button.
What to do: Click Clear Download Cache. Click OK to confirm. Steam will restart and prompt you to log in again. You will need your Steam password and Steam Guard code. Do not clear the cache repeatedly; use it only for troubleshooting.
How to undo: This action cannot be directly undone. You will need to log back in and if you had a custom Download Region or bandwidth limit, re-apply them at Steam > Settings > Downloads. No games will be uninstalled.
6. Library Location and Disk Usage – Steam > Settings > Storage
What causes it: Steam downloads are written and decompressed in real time. A nearly full drive, an external USB 2.0 hard drive, or a drive formatted as FAT32 creates a disk bottleneck. Steam shows this as Disk Usage spiking to 100% while Network drops to zero.
How to check: Go to Steam > Settings > Storage. Check the bar at the top for free space on your current library drive. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click the Performance tab > Disk to see if Active time stays at 100% during a download. Check file system by opening File Explorer > This PC > Right-click drive > Properties, it should say NTFS.
What to do: In Steam > Settings > Storage, use the dropdown at the top to select your fastest internal SSD. Click the three dots > Make Default Library if it is not default. Ensure at least 15 to 30 GB free beyond the game size for decompression. For new installs, choose that SSD in the install dialog. The library configuration is stored at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\libraryfolders.vdf and game manifests are in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\.
How to undo: In Steam > Settings > Storage, select your previous drive and set it as Default Library again. You can move an installed game back via Steam > Settings > Storage > Select game > Move.
Trade-off: SSDs eliminate the most common bottleneck, but moving a large library between drives takes time and requires free space on the destination.
7. Windows Metered Connection and Background Limits
What causes it: If Windows marks your connection as Metered, it restricts background data for apps including Steam. This can silently throttle or pause downloads after a reboot or after connecting to a mobile hotspot.
How to check: Press Win + I to open Settings. Go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection > Click your connected network. Look for Metered connection.
What to do: Toggle Metered connection to Off. Also check Windows Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization > Advanced options and ensure Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background is not set to a very low percentage. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and ensure Windows Update is not actively downloading and competing for disk.
How to undo: Return to Network & Internet > your network > Metered connection and toggle it back to On if you are on a capped plan.
8. Wired Connection, DNS Flush, and Firewall Whitelisting
What causes it: Wi-Fi interference, outdated DNS cache, or a firewall blocking Steam’s content servers causes packet loss, slow peer negotiation, or No Connection errors.
How to check: Compare speed on Wi-Fi versus Ethernet if available. To check firewall, press Win + S, type Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
What to do: Prefer a wired Ethernet connection to your router. If you must use Wi-Fi, switch to the 5 GHz band in Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Hardware properties. Flush DNS by pressing Win + R, type cmd, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter for admin, then run ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. In Firewall settings, ensure both steam.exe and steamservice.exe located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ are allowed on Private and Public networks. Consider adding Steam.exe as an exception in third-party antivirus as well.
How to undo: Reconnect to your previous Wi-Fi band, and in Firewall settings uncheck the Steam entries if you wish to re-block them.
By Hardware Tier
Low Tier: Older Laptop, Hard Drive, Wi-Fi Only
Focus on removing disk and network contention rather than chasing raw bandwidth. Set Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region to the closest city and disable Limit bandwidth to. Go to Steam > Settings > Storage and install to the internal drive with the most free space, avoiding external USB drives or SD cards. Close browsers, launchers, and Windows Update during downloads. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager > Processes and end heavy disk users like OneDrive sync while downloading. Enable Allow downloads during gameplay only for lightweight 2D titles, otherwise leave it off to avoid stutter. If you are on a hard drive, expect the download graph to show Network dropping while Disk Usage spikes; this is normal decompression behavior and will be slower than on an SSD.
Mid Tier: 1080p Desktop, SATA SSD, 100-300 Mbps Connection
This tier should already have a fast enough disk, so optimize for sustained speed. Use Ethernet if possible, otherwise 5 GHz Wi-Fi with the router in the same room. Keep Steam > Settings > Downloads > Limit bandwidth to unchecked and Throttle downloads while streaming unchecked. Set your library default to your SATA or NVMe SSD at Steam > Settings > Storage. Schedule large updates overnight via Library > Right-click game > Properties > Updates > Automatic updates > Only update this game when I launch it, then manually start downloads when you are away. Clear Download Cache once if you notice frequent pauses at 99% or disk write errors after a failed update. Keep Windows Metered connection off and ensure your SSD maintains at least 20% free space.
High Tier: NVMe SSD, 500 Mbps to Gigabit, Wired Ethernet
Your disk and network can handle full Steam throughput, so remove any software caps. Uncheck all limiter boxes in Steam > Settings > Downloads and run on Ethernet directly to the router or via a Cat 5e or better cable. Install to an internal NVMe SSD formatted NTFS and keep firmware updated via your SSD manufacturer’s tool. Enable Allow downloads during gameplay and per-game Allow background downloads since your CPU and disk can decompress without impacting most games. If you use a VPN, split-tunnel it or exit the VPN for Steam downloads, as VPN encryption and rerouting will cap speeds below your plan. Manage concurrent downloads at Steam > Settings > Downloads by letting Steam handle the queue one at a time; parallel writes to the same NVMe can actually increase decompression contention.
Common Mistakes
Leaving a bandwidth limit enabled: Users set Limit bandwidth to years ago for a temporary hotspot and forget it. This caps every future download until unchecked at Steam > Settings > Downloads.
Installing to a nearly full or external drive: Steam needs extra space to decompress. A drive with less than 10 GB free or an external drive on USB 2.0 will bottleneck even on gigabit internet. Always check Steam > Settings > Storage before a 100+ GB install.
Using Wi-Fi through VPN or far region: A VPN routes Steam content through a distant exit node, and a wrong Download Region does similar. Both add latency and reduce throughput. Disable VPN for downloads and set the correct local region.
Clearing Download Cache as a daily fix: This forces a re-login and resets credentials and should only be used when downloads are corrupted. Using it repeatedly wastes time and does not increase speed on a healthy install.
Ignoring Disk vs Network graph: In the Steam Downloads page, the blue Network bar and green Disk Usage bar tell different stories. If Network is steady but Disk is maxed, your drive is the limit, not your ISP. Upgrading the install location solves this faster than calling your provider.
Letting Metered Connection stay on: Windows enables Metered on some Wi-Fi networks by default. This throttles Steam silently after a Windows update. Verify it is Off at Settings > Network & Internet.
FAQ
Why does my Steam download go to 0 bytes per second and then resume?
This is usually disk decompression. Steam downloads compressed chunks, writes them to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\downloading\, and decompresses them to the final library folder. When the disk cannot keep up, Steam pauses the network to let the disk catch up. Check the pattern on the Downloads page: if Disk Usage is high while Network is 0, your drive is the bottleneck. Free up space, move the library to an SSD at Steam > Settings > Storage, and pause other disk-heavy apps.
Should I change my Download Region to a distant server for faster speeds?
No for sustained use. Occasionally a local content server is overloaded and a neighboring region may be temporarily faster, but distant regions add latency and often reduce speed. Test methodically: change Steam > Settings > Downloads > Download Region by one nearby city, restart Steam via Steam > Exit, run a download for two minutes, and compare. Return to the closest consistent region after testing.
Does Display download rates in bits per second make downloads faster?
No, it only changes the unit displayed on the Downloads page from MB/s to Mbps. Enable it at Steam > Settings > Downloads > Display download rates in bits per second if you want to compare Steam’s reported speed directly to your ISP plan, which is advertised in megabits. Divide megabits by 8 to approximate megabytes. It does not affect throttling or server selection.
Steam is stuck on Installing or Updating with Disk Write Error, what should I do?
This indicates a file permission or disk issue, not bandwidth. First pause the download, then right-click the game in Library > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files. If that fails, close Steam, right-click steam.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ > Run as administrator, and try again. Check that the drive is not write-protected, has free space, and is NTFS. As a last step, use Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache, log back in, and restart the download. If errors persist, check the drive health with Win + X > Disk Management and run chkdsk on the affected drive.
