Got Fast Internet? Here’s How to Get The Best Download Speeds on Steam
Slow Steam downloads can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re itching to play the latest releases. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to optimise your download speeds and get back to gaming faster. While there are some effective methods, including choosing the optimal download region. It’s important to note that many of these optimisations will be most noticeable for those with internet connections that are already considered pretty fast. Even in a busy region, Steam can top out at 1Gbps bandwidth quite comfortably. However, I have 8Gbps internet (8000/8000) and still only saw that 1Gbps… So how do you fix something that by most measures isn’t really that broken? Let’s find out. Furthermore, while this is focused on extreme internet speeds, users with slower connections may still see some improvement.
Choosing the Right Download Region
Steam servers are located around the world, and connecting to a server geographically closer to you usually results in faster ping time while gaming. However, sometimes a closer server can be overloaded in terms of bandwidth, but thankfully, Steam provides a handy tool to help you choose the best region.
Check Steam’s Download Statistics by visiting the Steam download statistics page here to see the current download bandwidth usage for each region over the past 48 hours. Look for a region with relatively low bandwidth usage.
While this isn’t a guarantee of the best speed right now, it can offer a good starting point. For me, setting it to Africa netted significant gains in download speed. I peaked at 2.4Gbps, but did I save my screenshot of this? No. However, today I switched to The Netherlands and still saw a 50% increase in speeds over using my local server UK-Manchester, and that’s a big increase when you factor in 100GB+ downloads.
Thankfully, it can be done with just a few simple steps. Click the gear, and you’ll see a list of countries, find one that has better speeds, and it’ll restart Steam. Just uhm, remember to switch back to a local server to play online games, or your ping time may suffer.
Change Your Download Region in Steam:
- Open the Steam client.
- Click on “Steam” in the top left corner.
- Select “Settings”.
- Go to the “Downloads” tab.
- In the “Download Region” dropdown menu, select the region you identified as having lower bandwidth use.
- Click “OK”. Steam may restart to apply the changes.
Now try to download your games, and see if you notice any improvement, I certainly did!
Other Tips to Consider
Limiting Background Processes – Other applications using your internet connection can significantly impact your Steam download speeds. Close any unnecessary programs, especially those known for high bandwidth usage, such as:
- Streaming services (e.g., Netflix, YouTube)
- Torrenting software
- Online games (other than the one you’re trying to update/download)
- Cloud syncing services (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive)
Optimising Your Network Connection
- Wired Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is almost always faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. If possible, connect your computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. This is particularly important for connections over 1Gbps, where Wi-Fi can become a significant bottleneck.
- Router Placement: Ensure your router is placed in a central location, free from obstructions that could weaken the Wi-Fi signal.
Clearing Download Cache – Steam’s download cache can sometimes become corrupted, affecting download speeds. Clearing it can often resolve the issue.
- Open the Steam client.
- Click on “Steam” in the top left corner.
- Select “Settings”.
- Go to the “Downloads” tab.
- Click on “Clear Download Cache”.
- Click “OK”. Steam will restart.
5. Managing Download Restrictions:
- Limit Downloads During Gameplay: If you experience slowdowns while playing online games, ensure that downloads are paused during gameplay. You can configure this in the “Downloads” tab of Steam’s settings.
- Schedule Downloads: If your internet connection is slower, consider scheduling downloads for off-peak hours (again, check the region map for quieter servers).
