Why Steam downloads slow down and what you can actually control

Steam downloads slow for three reasons: your connection is genuinely limited, Steam is throttling you on purpose, or something else on your network is using bandwidth. The first you cannot fix without calling your provider. The second and third you can address right now. Most people find their read speed jumps 20 to 50 percent by changing one or two settings, because Steam's defaults are conservative — they assume you want to keep playing online games while downloading, not max out your connection.

Before you change anything, run a speed test on the same device you use for Steam. Open a browser, go to speedtest.net, and run the test. Write down the read speed in Mbps. Then open Steam, start a read, and watch the speed it reports in the Downloads window. If Steam shows 5 Mbps but your speed test showed 50 Mbps, something in Steam's settings is holding you back. If they match, your internet connection itself is the limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam limits read speed by default to keep your connection available for gaming — you can raise or remove this limit in Settings under Downloads.
  • Closing other programs that use the internet, especially browsers with many tabs and cloud backup software, often recovers 10 to 30 percent of your speed.
  • Switching to a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi typically adds 20 to 40 percent speed, because wireless is slower and less stable than ethernet.
  • Changing your read server in Steam Settings can help if your nearest server is congested, though this matters less than the three steps above.
  • Restarting Steam and your router clears temporary slowdowns that build up over hours of use.

Raise or remove Steam's read speed limit

Steam has a built-in speed cap that defaults to 0, which sounds like no limit but actually means "use what you need for gaming first, then read with the rest." If you are not playing online games while downloading, you can tell Steam to use your full connection.

Open Steam. Go to Settings (top left menu, then Settings). Click Downloads on the left sidebar. Look for "Limit bandwidth to" — it will show a number or say "No limit". If it says "No limit", Steam is already set to use your full speed. If it shows a number like 10 Mbps or 20 Mbps, click the box and change it to a higher number or select "No limit" from the dropdown. Close Settings. Your next read will use the new speed.

If you do play online games while downloading, do not set it to "No limit" — your game will lag. Instead, set it to about 80 percent of your total speed. If your speed test showed 50 Mbps, set the limit to 40 Mbps. This leaves 10 Mbps for gaming, which is enough for most online games.

Close programs that compete for your internet

Browsers with many open tabs, cloud backup software like OneDrive or Google Drive, and video streaming in the background all pull bandwidth away from Steam. Close them while you read.

Open Task Manager (right-click the taskbar, select Task Manager). Click the Network column header to sort by network use. Look for programs using more than 1 percent. Common culprits are Chrome or Firefox with many tabs, OneDrive, Dropbox, Discord, and Spotify. Close the ones you do not need right now. Then start your Steam read again and watch the speed jump.

Windows Update also downloads in the background. Go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. Click "Check for updates" and let it finish, or pause updates for 7 days if you are in the middle of a read. This prevents Windows from competing with Steam.

Switch from Wi-Fi to a wired connection

Wi-Fi is convenient but slower and less stable than an ethernet cable plugged directly into your router. If your computer is within 30 feet of your router, run an ethernet cable and plug it in. Restart Steam. Your read speed will likely increase 20 to 40 percent.

If you cannot run a cable, move your computer closer to the router, or move the router to a central location in your home. Walls and distance weaken Wi-Fi signal. If you are downloading on a laptop in a bedroom far from the router, moving to the same room as the router can add 10 to 20 percent speed with no other changes.

If you use Wi-Fi and cannot move, check which Wi-Fi band your device is on. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi, then Advanced Options. Look for "Link speed" — if it says 54 Mbps or lower, you are on the older 2.4 GHz band. If your router supports 5 GHz (most modern routers do), forget the 2.4 GHz network and reconnect to the 5 GHz one. This usually doubles your speed.

Change your read server

Steam has servers in different regions. If your nearest server is congested, switching to a different one can help. This matters less than the steps above, but it takes 30 seconds and sometimes adds 5 to 15 percent speed.

Open Steam Settings, go to Downloads, and look for "read region". The dropdown shows your current region. Try switching to a nearby region — if you are in the US East Coast, try US West or Canada. Start a read and watch the speed for 30 seconds. If it is faster, keep it. If it is the same or slower, switch back.

Restart Steam and your router

Downloads can slow over time as Steam accumulates temporary files and your router's memory fills up. Restarting both clears these out.

Close Steam completely (right-click the Steam icon in the system tray, select Exit). Unplug your router's power cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking (usually 1 to 2 minutes). Open Steam again and start your read. This straightforward step often recovers 10 to 20 percent of your speed if you have not restarted in a few days.

When to contact your internet provider

If you have done all the steps above and your Steam read speed still matches your speed test result — meaning Steam is using your full connection but it is still slow — the limit is your internet plan itself. Call your provider and ask whether your plan includes the speed you are paying for. Providers sometimes throttle certain types of traffic, though this is rare for downloads.

If your speed test shows 50 Mbps but you are only getting 10 Mbps on Steam, and you have closed other programs and switched to ethernet, the problem is likely on your provider's side. Ask them to check your line for congestion or signal issues. Do not assume Steam is the problem until you have ruled out everything on your end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does downloading multiple games at once make each one slower?

Yes. Steam splits your bandwidth equally among all active downloads. If you have a 50 Mbps connection and read two games at once, each gets about 25 Mbps. Pause all but one read to max out the speed of the one you want first.

Will a VPN make Steam downloads faster?

Almost never. A VPN adds a hop between you and Steam's servers, which usually slows you down. Use a VPN only if your internet provider is actively blocking Steam, which is rare. Otherwise, turn it off while downloading.

Why does my read speed change while I am downloading?

Network congestion fluctuates. Your speed will vary by 10 to 20 percent throughout the day as other people on your network and your provider's network use bandwidth. This is normal. If the average speed is close to your speed test result, everything is working as it should.

Can I make Steam read faster by changing my DNS?

Changing DNS can help if your provider's DNS is slow, but it rarely affects read speed directly. If you want to try it, go to Settings, Network & Internet, Change Adapter Options, right-click your connection, Properties, and change DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare). Restart and test. If it does not help within a few downloads, switch back.

Does the time of day affect Steam read speed?

Yes. Evenings between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. are usually slower because more people are online. If you can read during off-peak hours — early morning or afternoon on weekdays — you will often see higher speeds. This is a network congestion issue, not a Steam issue.