If your Steam download looks slow, first compare like with like: Steam shows bytes per second while internet plans are sold in bits per second, so multiply Steam's number by 8. If the speed really is low, the first setting Steam Support points to is the Download region under Steam > Settings > Downloads. This guide follows the help.steampowered.com articles as checked on September 30, 2026, and covers only slow or stalled downloads; refunds are covered in how to get a Steam refund. Work through the steps from top to bottom, and after each change look at the speed on the Downloads page so you can tell which step made the difference.
The short answer
Two points matter most. First, Steam reports bytes per second and your provider advertises bits per second, and one byte is 8 bits. On a 100 Mbps plan, the same math puts Steam's ceiling at about 12.5 MB/s, so a number near that can be perfectly normal. Second, if you are far below that ceiling, start with the settings inside the Steam client (Download region, speed limit, cache), then move on to background programs and your network. Problems on Steam's servers or on your line cannot be fixed from a settings menu, so if every step below changes nothing, test at a different hour and contact Steam Support. Once the download finishes, if you want to record the game, see how to record Steam games.
How to troubleshoot a slow Steam download
- 1Compare speeds in the same unit — Steam shows bytes per second, while internet plans are sold in bits per second, and one byte is 8 bits. Tick Display download rates in bits per second under Steam > Settings > Downloads, or simply multiply Steam's figure by 8. Steam Support's own example: 768 KB/s equals about 6 Mbps. The speed shown in the system tray is usually the LAN link speed rather than your internet speed, so check your plan paperwork or your provider for the real number.
- 2Change the Download region — In the same tab, set Download region to the place you are in or the closest one, then try a few nearby regions. Steam Support notes that servers in a region can be slow, overloaded or failing, and it does not name a best region for any country, so compare the speed on the Downloads page after each switch.
- 3Check the speed limit and update window — If Limit Download Speed is enabled, Steam will not go faster than that value, so turn it off or raise it. The current bandwidth limit also appears in the Download Manager (Library > Downloads). If you turned on Only auto-update games with a time window such as 12AM-8AM, automatic updates will not run outside it, while launching the game or choosing download immediately in the Download Manager overrides the schedule.
- 4Allow downloads while a game runs — When you launch a game, Steam pauses downloads automatically so the game gets the network first. If you want the download to continue, tick Allow Downloads During Gameplay under Steam > Settings > Downloads. If in-game network performance suffers, Steam Support suggests setting a bandwidth limit in the same settings.
- 5Clear the download cache — Under Steam > Settings > Downloads, press Clear Download Cache at the bottom and choose Confirm. Installed games are not affected, but you will need to log into Steam again. Steam Support says this can solve games that will not download or start, and to contact Steam Support if the problem remains.
- 6Close programs that interfere — Steam Support lists antivirus, firewalls, VPN software, anti-spyware, P2P or file-sharing clients, and download accelerators or managers as programs that can disrupt Steam's connection or content server choice. Ad-blockers, system cleaners and recording software are named as things to check too. While testing, close them, exit and restart Steam, and reboot if a program requires it. For antivirus, add exceptions for Steam and its game folders or turn it off briefly to see whether the speed changes.
- 7Repair the library folder and verify files — Under Settings > Storage, repair the library folder. If only one game is affected, right-click it in your Library and choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. Testing another drive is also on Steam Support's list, and an installed game can be moved with Move Install Folder without downloading it again.
- 8Check the router, cable and provider — Restart your modem and router, since Steam Support says equipment left running for a long time can slow down or misbehave. Wireless and powerline connections can cause intermittent failures, so test with a direct wired connection if you can. If it is slow only at certain hours, such as evenings, your provider may be shaping the connection, so test at other times and contact them. School or office networks may block the ports Steam needs (TCP 80 and 443, UDP and TCP 27015-27050), which only the network administrator can change.
Advertised speed vs expected Steam speed (official table)
| Advertised internet speed | Est. max Steam speed (official table) | Same value x 8 (calculated) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Mbps | 384 KB/s | 3072 Kb/s |
| 5 Mbps | 640 KB/s | 5120 Kb/s |
| 15 Mbps | 1.9 MB/s | about 15.2 Mb/s |
| 20 Mbps | 2.5 MB/s | 20 Mb/s |
| 30 Mbps | 3.75 MB/s | 30 Mb/s |
| 50 Mbps | 6.25 MB/s | 50 Mb/s |
Final checklist when it is still slow
- I divided my plan speed by 8 and compared it with the Steam figure to confirm the download is really slow.
- I tried a few Download regions near me.
- I confirmed that no download speed limit or auto-update time window is set.
- I cleared the download cache, logged in again and retried.
- I closed VPN, antivirus, firewall, P2P, download accelerator and recording programs and restarted Steam.
- I restarted the modem and router, tried a wired connection and tested at another hour.
- If nothing changed, I wrote down what I tried and contacted Steam Support.
Disk space after the download finishes
Once a big game finishes downloading, free drive space becomes the next thing to watch. DOR is a free Windows app that detects supported games and records the full match as an mp4, so playing a Steam game while recording it needs room for the recordings on top of the install size. On an NVIDIA graphics card the recording runs through NVENC hardware encoding, and the files, with game sound and microphone captured together, are kept in the app's library. Recording size depends on the game and your settings, so no figures are given here, and fixing low disk space for Steam game recording covers what to do when the drive fills up. DOR does not change Steam download speed; while you run the checks above, close any recording program that is open so it cannot muddy the results. If you are unsure your PC can run a game and a recorder together, see lightweight game recorders.
Official pages checked (as of September 30, 2026)
Menu names and procedures in this guide were checked against the Steam Support articles below on September 30, 2026. Menu positions and wording can differ between client versions, so if your screen differs, follow the official page. Slow Downloads and Connection to Content Servers, Update & Installation Issues, Programs Which May Interfere with Steam. The articles on Limit Download Speed, Clear download cache, downloads pausing when a game launches, network connectivity and required ports were checked on the same support site.
