How to Make Steam Download Faster on Windows 11: A Quick Guide

Is your Steam download painfully slow on Windows 11? Whether it’s a massive game update or a new installation, slow downloads can be frustrating. The good news is, you can speed things up with a few tweaks. This guide will walk you through proven ways to make Steam downloads faster on Windows 11, so you can start gaming without the wait.

Table of Contents

Why Are Steam Downloads Slow?

Before speeding things up, it’s important to understand the reasons behind slow downloads:

Server congestion – Steam servers may be overloaded.
Internet connection issues – Low bandwidth or unstable Wi-Fi.
Software conflicts – Firewalls, antivirus, or VPNs can slow downloads.
Background downloads or updates – Other apps consuming bandwidth.

Step 1 – Change Download Region in Steam

Steam servers have different speeds depending on your location.

Open Steam → Settings → Downloads.
Find Download Region.
Select a nearby city with less server traffic.
Click OK and restart Steam.

Choosing the right server can drastically improve download speeds.

Step 2 – Limit Bandwidth Usage Settings

Steam may have bandwidth limits applied.

Go to Steam → Settings → Downloads.
Ensure Limit bandwidth to is set to No Limit.
Click OK.

Step 3 – Disable Download Throttling During Gameplay

Steam can slow downloads when you’re playing games.

Go to Steam → Settings → Downloads.
Uncheck Throttle downloads while streaming or playing games.
Apply changes.

Step 4 – Clear Steam Download Cache

Corrupted cache files can reduce speed.

Open Steam → Settings → Downloads.
Click Clear Download Cache.
Steam will restart—sign in again.

Step 5 – Use a Wired Connection

Wi-Fi is convenient but less stable. Using an Ethernet cable can improve download consistency and speed.

Connect directly to your router.
Ensure your network isn’t congested with other devices.

Step 6 – Pause Other Background Apps

Bandwidth-hogging apps like Zoom, Discord, or YouTube can slow downloads.

Close unnecessary programs.
Pause ongoing updates (Windows Update, cloud backups, etc.).

Step 7 – Change Steam’s Content Server Location

Sometimes switching to another nearby region improves speed.

Go to Steam → Settings → Downloads → Download Region.
Test multiple nearby servers to see which is fastest.

Step 8 – Disable VPN or Proxy

VPNs can reduce download speed due to encryption overhead.

Temporarily disconnect VPNs.
If required, connect to a high-speed server closer to your location.

Step 9 – Update Network Drivers

Outdated drivers can slow download speeds.

Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Network adapters.
Right-click your network card → Update driver.
Restart your PC.

Step 10 – Check Windows 11 Delivery Optimization

Windows 11 sometimes uses your bandwidth for updates and peer-to-peer sharing.

Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Delivery Optimization.
Toggle Allow downloads from other PCs off.

Step 11 – Change Steam Installation Folder

If your current drive is slow (like an old HDD), moving Steam to an SSD can improve download and installation speed.

Go to Steam → Settings → Downloads → Steam Library Folders.
Add a new folder on your SSD.
Move existing games or download new ones to this folder.

Extra Tips for Maximum Speed

Restart Steam and your router before large downloads.
Avoid downloading during peak internet usage hours.
Use Quality of Service (QoS) on your router to prioritize gaming traffic.

Final Thoughts

Boosting Steam download speeds on Windows 11 is all about optimizing settings, using the right server, and reducing network congestion. Following these steps can make a noticeable difference, ensuring your games download faster and you spend more time playing rather than waiting.

FAQs

1. Why is my Steam download speed slower than my internet speed?
Steam servers, regional congestion, or PC settings can limit speed even if your connection is fast.

2. Does using a VPN help Steam downloads?
Usually no—VPNs can reduce speed, but in some cases, a nearby VPN server might bypass server congestion.

3. Can clearing Steam cache really improve speed?
Yes, it can fix corrupted files that slow down downloads.

4. Is a wired connection necessary?
Not always, but Ethernet provides more stable and faster speeds than Wi-Fi.

5. Will moving Steam to an SSD improve download speeds?
It can improve installation and game load times but may not drastically increase raw download speed.