Do you experience download status issues on Steam?
Slow downloads on Steam are somehow still bearable to some extent. However, it is more frustrating to experience downloads stuck at a certain percentage or see download rates that are not moving.
If Steam’s download status is not moving, it means that you’re wasting your time waiting for a game that is not even downloading.
Usually, this issue on Steam is caused by a problem with the servers or your network connection. On the other hand, improper configurations and corrupted data could also cause this issue.
Download status issues on Steam can also occur if your game folders are not set correctly.
If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you suffer from download status issues while updating or installing games on Steam.
To help you out, we’ve decided to make a guide for fixing stuck downloads on Steam.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Steam Servers.
When you encounter download status issues on Steam, you should first check its servers’ status. This way, you can immediately identify if the issue is coming from Steam’s servers or your system.
You can use third-party sites like Downdetector to view the current status of Steam.
If there’s an issue with the servers, the only thing you can do is wait. However, if Steam’s servers are up and running, it means that the problem is on your end.
Proceed to the following solution below to start the troubleshooting process.
2. Check Your Network Connection.
When downloading any sort of file, a stable internet connection is required to avoid issues. If your downloads are stuck on Steam, the problem may be coming from your network connection.
To confirm this, run a test on your network using Fast.com to measure your current upload and download bandwidth.
If the result shows that your connection is the problem, reboot your modem or router to refresh the link between your router and your internet service provider.
After the restart, perform another speed test to check if the problem is solved. If not, contact your ISP and ask them to fix their service.
3. Change Your Download Server.
When downloading games, Steam automatically chooses the correct download server for your location. However, there are instances when the app mistakenly chooses the wrong server for your region.
If this happens, your games may download slowly, or they may not download at all.
To fix this, follow the guide below to change your download region on Steam manually:
- On your computer, access Steam and go to the Settings.
- After that, click on the Downloads tab.
- Finally, click on Download Region and choose the appropriate server for your location.
Start your download on Steam again to check if the problem is solved.
4. Disable Bandwidth Limitations.
Steam has a feature that allows you to set a limit to your download speed. This is a great option to have so that Steam won’t consume all your bandwidth, so you can still use other applications during the update or download.
However, if you experience download status issues on Steam, we suggest turning off this feature in the meantime.
See the steps below to disable this feature on Steam:
- First, go to the Steam tab on the menu bar and access Settings.
- Next, click on the Downloads tab and look for ‘Limit Bandwidth To’.
- Lastly, uncheck this option on Steam to disable it.
Once done, try downloading your games again to check if the problem is solved.
5. Turn Off VPN.
Virtual private networks or VPNs are third-party apps that protect your online data from hackers, advertisements that track your activity, and other harmful entities. They work by masking your original IP address with a system-generated one to keep your identity private.
VPNs also redirect your data to their servers for filtering to hide sensitive information such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, and more.
Unfortunately, this process can also introduce lags and delays to your network.
When this happens, online apps such as Steam may have a hard time working since they can’t communicate with their servers properly.
If you’re using VPNs, turn them off before downloading games on Steam.
On the other hand, you can also try switching to other VPN providers such as PureVPN. Compared to other services in the market, PureVPN keeps your network fast and reliable while protecting your online data.
6. Clear Your Download Cache.
If you recently stopped your games from downloading or updating before the issue occurred on Steam, your download cache may have gotten corrupted. To fix this, we suggest clearing your download cache before installing or updating games again.
Here’s what you need to do:
- On your Steam account, access the Settings.
- After that, go to the Downloads tab.
- Finally, click the Clear Download Cache button at the bottom of the window.
Restart Steam afterward and check if the download status issues on Steam are fixed.
7. Turn Off Proxy Server.
While Proxy Servers are great for building a firewall between your devices and the internet, they can also cause network connection problems if not set correctly. If you experience download status issues on Steam, disable your proxy server.
Follow the steps below to check if you are running any Proxy Server on your computer:
- First, press the Windows + S keys on your keyboard and search for ‘Internet Options’.
- After that, click on Open and go to the Connections tab.
- Now, click on LAN Settings and ensure that ‘Automatically Detect Settings’ is enabled.
- Lastly, uncheck the ‘Use a Proxy Server’ option and click OK to save the changes.
Go back to Steam afterward and check if your games are now downloading properly.
8. Report the Problem to Steam.
If you still experience download status issues on Steam, we recommend letting the professionals handle the situation.
Go to Steam Support and contact their customer service to report the issue you’ve been experiencing. Include your account details, the game you’re trying to update or install, and the screenshot of the error if applicable to make it easier for their team to assess the situation.
That ends our guide for fixing download status issues on Steam. If you have questions, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll be glad to answer them.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
