How to Speed Up Steam Downloads

Mar 22, 2024

Are you trying to download games on Steam but finding that it’s taking an age? Have you spent your hard-earned cash on an AAA release, only to discover it’ll take a year to download the 100+GB install? Don’t worry, we’re here to help out. Here’s how to speed up Steam downloads.

There’s no single works-every-time fix for speeding up Steam downloads, but there are several different things you can do that should give you a boost. But before you try any of these, you should check to see what download speed you’re actually getting on your PC.

I’d recommend you use the SamKnows RealSpeed speed test, which you can find here. It shows the internet speed at your router/cable box and the actual speed you’re getting on your PC. Then, providing your whole connection hasn’t slowed to a crawl, try these tips. I’ve not tested these with a Steam Deck but most of these should also apply there.

What you shouldn’t do is disable your firewall or antivirus software, it’s simply not worth the risk. However, if a game is heavily in demand and everyone’s trying to download it, you may just have to live with the slower Steam download speeds, at least until it’s less popular.

I can still remember Steam spitting up “Oops, sorry” when anyone tried to buy Sons of the Forest on the day it hit Steam Early Access. Hopefully you’ve already got past the all important purchase stage of whatever game you’re downloading but it just shows how things can go wrong when Steam users pile-on.

So if you’re trying to speed up your Steam downloads, those tips are your answer.