How to Make Steam Downloads Faster in Windows 11
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Try These Fixes First
Fix 1: Set Steam as High Priority in Task Manager
In Windows, you can manually control how much processing power and network resources an application uses. Once you increase anapplication’s priority level, it tells Windows to allocate more resources to it, which ultimately improves its performance. To give Steam priority for network bandwidth, follow these steps:
Step 1:Press theCtrl + Shift + Esc keytogether to open the Task Manager.
Step 2:Click on theDetailstab in the sidebar. Then, right-click on theSteam.exeprocess in the main window > selectSet priority>High.
Fix 2: Check the Steam Download Region
Steam offers hundreds of servers worldwide for better connectivity. However, connecting to a server located far away from your location may result in slower download speeds.
To ensure you’re getting the highest download speed possible, check if the Steam download location is set to the nearest server by following the steps mentioned below:
Step 1:Open theSteam client> clickSteamat the top left > click onSettingsfrom the menu.
Step 2:In the Setting dialog, click onDownloads.
Step 3:Click on theDownload regiondrop-down > select theservernearest to your state > click onOKto save the changes.
Fix 3: Disable Bandwidth Restrictions Inside Steam
Steam offers a handy toggle to restrict the bandwidth used for downloading your games. It can be helpful when you need the network bandwidth for other essential tasks and apps. However, to get the highest download speeds, ensure that the bandwidth restriction is turned off. Follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1:Launch theSteam client> clickSteamat the top left > chooseSettings.
Step 2:In the Setting dialog, click onDownloadsin the sidebar.
Step 3:Deselect the checkbox forLimit bandwidth to> clickOKto save the changes.
Alternatively, if you have a high bandwidth internet connection that allows you to live stream even with downloads running in the background, uncheck the box forThrottle download while streaming.
Fix 4: Switch to Google or Cloudflare DNS
The problem can also occur because of theDNS serveryou’re connected to. So, switch to Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS to fix the issue. If you want to connect to Google Public DNS,check out our details about it. For Cloudflare DNS, follow these steps:
Step 1:Open theSettings app> selectNetwork & internet> chooseAdvanced network settings.
Step 2:Click on your connection > selectView additional properties.
Step 3:ClickEditnext to DNS server assignment.
Step 4:SelectManualfrom the Edit DNS settings dropdown menu. Then, enable theIPv4toggle and type1.1.1.1in the Preferred DNS server field and1.0.0.1in the Alternate DNS server field. After that, clickSave.
Fix 5: Set Download Speed Limit in Steam
Many users on Reddithave confirmed that they could fix Steam’s slow downloading speed by limiting it. To do so, enable the download limit option in the Steam settings and configure it to a download speed higher than what your ISP currently offers.
To do this, open theSteam Settingsmenu > selectDownloadsfrom the sidebar > enable theLimit download speedtoggle > set adownload speedhigher than what your ISP currently provides.
Fix 6: Clear Steam Cache Data
If the Steam cache data is corrupted, you’re likely to experience slow download speeds on Steam. You must clear this Steam cache data to fix the problem.
To do that, open theSteam Settingsmenu > selectDownloadsfrom the side panel > clickClear Cacheon the right >Confirm.
After that, restart the Steam client, and you should no longer face the problem.
Also Read:How to play Steam games on Android and iOS
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Last updated on 26 August, 2024
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