Why Do Steam Downloads Keep Dropping to 0? [FIX]

Be sure to clear your cache if steam download keeps dropping to 0

by Madalina Dinita
Madalina Dinita
Madalina Dinita
Windows & Software Expert
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies... read more
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  • If the Steam download always goes to 0 bytes when you are getting your games, it may be a problem with your Internet connection.
  • A possible reason why the download speed keeps dropping on Steam might be the download cache so you will have to empty it.
  • Disabling the automatically detect settings option proved to be an efficient workaround.
  • In case your Steam client download goes to 0 bytes, try to flush the config and DNS.
 
 
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Some Steam users reported experiencing an issue regarding game/update downloads suddenly dropping to 0 bytes. Sometimes it is better just to be patient and wait for the download to resume.

However, if the connection issue persists after a prolonged period, you probably should do something about it.

The download problem in Steam can be pretty disturbing for many so to resolve this issue, use the steps below.

What are the most common Steam download-related issues?

First of all, you should note that the Steam download 0 bytes error is not the only one that you encounter on this app. To discover the most popular Steam download-related issues, make sure you check the list below.

  • Steam update stuck or not downloading – Fortunately, we’ve compiled some useful solutions just in case you will ever encounter this annoying problem.
  • Steam download stopping – Usually, this one can occur if there’s not enough disk space for Steam to install the games, but there are many additional information you should definitely check.
  • The Steam download is slow – This is a big problem that affects the majority of the gaming community in one form or another. Luckily, you can always find the right ways to fix it in no time.

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What can I do if the Steam download speed drops to 0?

In this article

Have a look at our own in-house made video to solve it quickly

1. Check the Internet connection

  1. Hit the Windows key, type your Internet browser’s name, and open it (In this particular case we choose Chrome).
  2. Check to see if web pages load quickly and without interruption.

Sometimes it’s just a problem with the router or a cable so start by checking all the network components first.

2. Reset your router/modem

  1. Unplug the router and the modem, then wait at least 30 seconds.
  2. Plug in the modem, then waits at least 60 seconds. 
  3. Now, plug in the router and wait at least 2 minutes. 
  4. When the router and modem restart, test to see if the problem went away.

3. Try using a wired connection (LAN) instead of Wi-Fi

Keep in mind that an Ethernet connection is much more secure than a WiFi connection.

While data on a WiFi network travels through the air and can be more easily intercepted, you can access the data on an Ethernet network only by physically attaching a device to the network.

You can also try to pause the download and resume it after a couple of seconds.

If none of the above solutions worked for you, we have some more options you can try.

4. Clear download cache

If the download cache from Steam is full, you can experience this kind of issue with your download so clearing it could fix the problem. So, the guide below shows you exactly how to do it. 

1. Hit the Windows key, type Steam, and navigate to this app.

steam-download-goes-to-0-bytes/

2. In top left corner, click on Steam.

click on steam options

3. Go to Settings.

click on settings steam

4. Navigate to the Downloads section, then press on the Clear download cache button.

steam-download-goes-to-0-bytes/

5. Press OK and re-attempt to start the download.

5. Disable the Automatically detect settings option

  1. Press on the Windows key, type your browser’s name, then open the first result (In this particular case, we choose Chrome).
  2. Click the three dots icon in the top right corner, then navigate to Settings.
  3. From the left window pane, expand the Advanced options, then click on System.
  4. Under the System section, click Open proxy settings.
  5. Go to the Connections tab an click on LAN settings.
  6. Uncheck the box next to Automatically detect settings and press OK.
  7. Restart Steam and attempt starting the download to see if it works.

Some users reported that after disabling the Automatically detect settings, the download in Steam started working just fine so follow the steps above to do just that.

6. Flush the Steam config and DNS

  1. Open the Windows run dialog box, by using the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + R.
  2. Type steam://flushconfig and press on Enter.
  3. Wait a few seconds.
  4. Now, use the same hotkey, but now type cmd, then hit Enter.
  5. In the opened window, input the following command, then press on Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
  6. Log back into Steam and see if this fixed the issue.

Flushing the Steam config and DNS can fix this download problem quickly so make sure to run the steps above to do the trick.

7. Disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service

  1. Right-click on your Windows Taskbar, then select Task Manager.
  2. Choose the Services tab.
  3. Find the service named DiagTrack, right-click on it and select Stop.
  4. Restart Steam and try to attempt starting the download again.

We know it may seem a bit unusual but disabling the DiagTrack service worked for some users so make sure you perform de easy steps above to get it done.

8. Disable the Internet Flow Control of your Ethernet

  1. Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the Windows Run dialog box: Windows + R.
  2. In the opened window, type devmgmt.msc, then hit Enter.
  3. Expand the Network adapters section.
  4. Right-click on your Ethernet network adapter, and select Propreties.
  5. Select the Advanced tab, choose Flow Control, select Disabled as the Value option.
  6. Save the changes and try re-attempting the download in Steam.

How can I prioritize Steam Downloads?

Many players are wondering how they can prioritize Steam Downloads according to their own needs.

Well, if it’s happening to be in the same boat, keep in mind that the process is pretty simple, so do not worry if you’re a beginner!

  1. Right-click on your Windows Taskbar, then navigate to Task Manager.
  2. Find the Steam Client Service and right-click on it, then select Go to details.
  3. Now, right-click on SteamService.exe and select Set priority > High.

If the Steam download always goes to 0 bytes, at least one of our solutions will help you solve it.

In case you found this article helpful, leave a comment in the dedicated section below.

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