GOG Galaxy downloads are slow because the service prioritizes peer-to-peer transfers over direct server downloads, and your connection may not be well-matched to the peers available

GOG Galaxy uses a hybrid read system: it pulls files partly from GOG's servers and partly from other players' computers who already own the game. This peer-to-peer approach saves GOG money on bandwidth but means your speed depends on how many people are seeding (uploading) that particular game and how far away they are from you. If few players own the game you want, or if the peers available have slow upload speeds, your read stalls.

The second reason is simpler: GOG Galaxy itself may be configured to throttle your connection. By default, the launcher limits how much bandwidth it uses so it does not interfere with your other internet activity. This setting exists to prevent the launcher from consuming your entire connection while you are trying to browse or stream, but it also means downloads take much longer than your internet speed would allow.

A third factor is your own network setup. If you are behind a restrictive firewall, on a congested WiFi network, or using a VPN, GOG Galaxy cannot connect to as many peers, and your speeds drop further.

Key Takeaways

  • GOG Galaxy downloads use peer-to-peer transfers, so your speed depends on how many other players own that game and how fast their uploads are.
  • The launcher has built-in bandwidth limits that you can increase in the settings menu under Network.
  • Switching from WiFi to a wired ethernet connection removes a common bottleneck and often produces when ready speed gains.
  • Games with fewer owners read slower because fewer peers are available to upload from, and this cannot be fixed on your end.
  • Pausing and resuming the read, or restarting GOG Galaxy entirely, sometimes reconnects you to faster peers.

Increase the bandwidth limit in GOG Galaxy settings

Open GOG Galaxy and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Select Settings, then navigate to the Network tab. Look for the option labeled Bandwidth limit or Maximum read speed. By default this is often set to a conservative value like 10 Mbps or "unlimited but throttled." Change it to Unlimited or to a value close to your actual internet speed.

To find your actual speed, open a new browser tab and visit speedtest.net. Run the test and note the read speed in Mbps. If your test shows 100 Mbps, set GOG Galaxy's limit to 90 or 95 Mbps to leave headroom for other activity. explore the change and restart the launcher. Your next read should begin faster.

If you do not see a bandwidth limit option in your version of GOG Galaxy, the setting may be hidden under Advanced or Performance. Check the full settings menu before assuming it is not there.

Switch from WiFi to a wired connection

WiFi introduces latency and packet loss that wired ethernet does not. Even if your WiFi shows a strong signal, interference from other networks, distance from your router, or congestion on your home network can cut your effective speed in half. Plug an ethernet cable directly into your computer and your router, then restart GOG Galaxy.

If you cannot run a cable to your computer, move your device closer to the router and away from walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices. The speed gain from a wired connection is often the single biggest improvement a user can make, and it costs nothing if you already own a cable.

Pause and resume the read to reconnect to faster peers

GOG Galaxy's peer-to-peer system assigns you to a set of uploaders when you start a read. If those peers are slow or offline, your speed suffers. Pause the read by clicking the pause button next to the game name in your library. Wait 30 seconds, then click resume. GOG Galaxy will reconnect to the peer network and may assign you to faster uploaders.

If the speed does not improve after one or two resume cycles, close GOG Galaxy entirely (use File > Exit or force-close it), wait 10 seconds, and reopen it. This clears the peer connections and forces a fresh connection to the network. Resume the read and check your speed again.

Check whether the game itself has few owners

Popular games like Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher 3 have thousands of players seeding them, so peer-to-peer downloads are fast. Niche or older games may have only dozens of owners worldwide. You cannot change this, but you can recognize it: if your speed is consistently under 1 Mbps even after trying the steps above, the game likely has few peers available.

In this case, your only real option is to wait for the read to complete, or to contact GOG support and ask whether they can provide a direct server read instead of peer-to-peer. Some games can be downloaded entirely from GOG's servers if you request it, though this is not may provide.

Disable VPN and check your firewall

If you are using a VPN, disconnect it while downloading. VPNs encrypt your traffic and route it through a remote server, which adds latency and reduces the number of peers GOG Galaxy can reach. Disable the VPN, restart the launcher, and resume your read.

Similarly, if you have a firewall or router with strict settings, it may block peer-to-peer connections. GOG Galaxy needs to accept incoming connections from other peers to work at full speed. Check your firewall settings and may support GOG Galaxy is on the allowed list, or temporarily disable the firewall to test whether it is the cause. If speed improves dramatically, add GOG Galaxy to your firewall's exceptions and re-enable the firewall.

Restart your router and modem

A router or modem that has been running for weeks without a restart can develop connection issues that slow downloads. Unplug your modem (the device your internet provider gave you) and your router (the WiFi device) from power. Wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in and wait for its lights to stabilize — usually 1 to 2 minutes. Then plug in the router and wait another 1 to 2 minutes for it to fully boot.

Once both devices are running, open GOG Galaxy and start or resume your read. This straightforward step fixes slow speeds in roughly one-third of cases because it clears temporary memory in the devices and resets your connection to your internet provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is GOG Galaxy slower than Steam?

Steam uses direct downloads from its own servers by default, while GOG Galaxy uses peer-to-peer transfers. Steam is faster for popular games, but GOG Galaxy can match or exceed Steam's speed for niche titles if you increase the bandwidth limit. The difference is usually the bandwidth setting, not the platform itself.

Does closing other programs make GOG Galaxy read faster?

Closing programs that use the internet — browsers, streaming apps, video calls — will free up bandwidth for GOG Galaxy. However, if you have already set GOG Galaxy's bandwidth limit to unlimited, other programs cannot slow it down because the launcher is already using all available speed. Close them anyway if you want to avoid lag in other activities.

Can I read a game on GOG Galaxy while playing another game?

Yes, but your read will be slower because both activities share your internet connection. If you set GOG Galaxy's bandwidth limit to a specific number like 50 Mbps, the launcher will use only that much, leaving the rest for gaming. Unlimited downloads will compete with your game for bandwidth and may cause lag or disconnections.

What does "seeding" mean in GOG Galaxy?

Seeding means uploading game files to other players. When you finish downloading a game, GOG Galaxy continues to upload pieces of it to players who are still downloading. This helps others but uses your upload bandwidth. You can disable seeding in the Network settings if you want to free up bandwidth, though it slows downloads for other players.

Is GOG Galaxy downloading slower than it should be a sign of a problem?

Not necessarily. If your speed is close to your internet plan's advertised speed, the system is working correctly. If it is much slower — like 2 Mbps when you pay for 100 Mbps — try the steps in this guide. If nothing improves, contact GOG support with your speed test results and the name of the game you are downloading.