Steam Download Drops to 0 Bytes? 9 Ways to Fix It for Good

If your Steam download randomly drops to 0 bytes, there’s a good chance your connection, cache, or config is working against you. It’ll hinder new game installs and update patches.

The most common reasons why your Steam download drops to 0/mbs are unstable Wi-Fi and hidden background service throttling Steam. But there are a few lesser-known culprits too, so keep reading to tackle them all.

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

The most common cause is a network issue. Restart your router and check your settings, then visit Steam Status or the official support page to see if servers are down. If you’re still having problems, check the more advanced solutions below.

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 Wi-Fi connection.

While data on a Wi-Fi 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.

You can also try to pause the download and resume it after a couple of seconds. If your Steam download keeps going on and off, that’s often tied to weak connections or software interference.

4. Clear download cache

1. Press the Windows key, type Steam, and open the app.
2. In the top-left corner, click on Steam.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Navigate to the Downloads section, then click on the Clear Download Cache button.
5. Press OK and re-attempt the download.

This can also be useful if Steam downloads aren’t showing progress properly or freeze midway.

Read more about this topic

• How to Use SteamCMD on Windows 11 to Install Game Servers
• Can’t Reset Steam Password? Try These Simple Steps
• How to Find Your Steam ID on PC and Web (Step-by-Step Guide)

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.

It may also help if you’re experiencing issues where the Steam download keeps restarting with no clear reason.

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. It can also help if the Steam download limit isn’t working as expected.

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.

9. Prioritize Steam downloads over other tasks

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. The download can also be affected by the Steam manifest unavailable error, so make sure you fix it.

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 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 of 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.
• The Steam download demo button not working – This issue can stem from cache problems, network glitches, or Steam client bugs. Restarting Steam, clearing the download cache, and checking your internet settings usually fix it quickly.

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