8 Ways to Fix Steam Download Restarting or Resetting

Steam download keeps restarting? We’ll show you how to fix it. If you’re watching your download bar jump back or pause endlessly, there’s a good chance something’s interfering behind the scenes.

It could be your internet cutting in and out, antivirus getting too protective, or even Steam itself choking on its cache.

Whatever the reason why Steam downloads keep resetting, we’ll walk you through what’s likely causing it and show you how to get those downloads back on track.

Why does my Steam download keep stopping and restarting?

• Bad network connection issues: Downloading on Steam requires a stable internet connection. However, experiencing fluctuations in your network can prompt the Steam download to keep restarting. Likewise, connecting your computer to the internet through a cable network can cause a series of issues with the bandwidth. Also, it affects the download speed and can result in the Steam download pausing and restarting issue.
• Third-party app interference: Sometimes, running many apps simultaneously on your device can cause issues with the Steam Client and affect its downloads. Apps like antivirus and VPNs are common culprits for this error. Furthermore, many apps may share the bandwidth from your network connection. So, it affects the download speed Steam gets, which results in the download keeps resetting issue.
• Windows Defender interference: Windows Defender can cause issues with Steam downloads, making the Steam Client crash. The Windows advanced antivirus may mistake Steam download for a dangerous connection. Hence, blocking its activities results in Steam restarting updates.

How do I fix the Steam download restart?

First, Visit SteamStat.us to see if servers are down or overloaded. If that’s the case, just wait it out, but if the servers are fine, follow the steps below.

1. Restart your PC

1. Click Start on your computer screen.
2. Select Power from the drop-down.
3. Click on Restart, then OK.

   

Restarting your device can fix most of the issues you encounter with Steam. It helps the computer fix booting errors and also helps the Steam Client run smoothly.

2. Disable Windows Defender

1. Click on the Start button on your computer.
2. Type Windows Security in the search box.

   

3. Select the Virus & threat protection option, and click Manage settings.

   

4. Toggle off the Real-time protection option to turn off Windows Defender Antivirus.

   

Disabling the Windows Defender Antivirus on your computer can fix the problem.

3. Check your internet connection

Performing a power cycle on your router can help fix the Steam download keeps restarting issue.

However, switching to a wireless network is best for Steam downloads. It is because the wireless connection is faster and more stable.

4. Limit Steam network bandwidth

1. Launch the Steam Client on your computer and select Run as administrator.

   

2. At the right corner, click on Steam, then select Settings.

   

3. Click on Downloads and select the Limit Bandwidth to option.

   

4. Select a lower bandwidth and close Steam.

Restart the Steam Client and see if the error persists.

5. Clear Steam download cache

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialogue box.
2. Type Steam://flushconfig in the search box and click OK.

   

3. Click OK on the confirmation page.

Clearing the download cache has been confirmed to be an effective fix for this problem.

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

6. Close Background Apps

If Steam’s downloading super slow or keeps restarting, other apps might be hogging your bandwidth. Here’s how to shut them down:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Click the “Processes” tab.
3. Look for apps that use a lot of Network or CPU. Think browsers, torrent apps, Discord, VPNs.
4. Click on the app you want to close.
5. Hit the “End Task” button at the bottom right.
6. Repeat for any other apps you don’t need right now.

7. Free Up Disk Space

1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
2. Click on “This PC” to check how much free space is left on your drives.
3. Right-click the drive where Steam is installed and click “Properties.”
4. If you’re low on space, click “Disk Cleanup.”
5. Check the boxes for things you want to delete (like temporary files, recycle bin, etc.).
6. Click “OK” then “Delete Files.”
7. You can also uninstall unused apps or move files to another drive or cloud storage.

Additionally, if Steam demo downloads aren’t working or responding, here’s a useful fix for the Steam download demo button not working issue.

💡 Bonus tip: You can change your download folder in Steam:
Go to Steam > Settings > Storage, and add a new folder on a different drive.

8. Run Steam as Administrator

1. Close Steam completely.
2. Find your Steam shortcut on the desktop or in the Start menu.
3. Right-click it and select “Run as administrator.”
4. If Windows asks for permission, click “Yes.”

Why is Steam download so unstable?

A dominant reason Steam downloads can be unstable is the undefined bandwidth limit. However, if there’s no limit to the bandwidth and your internet connection isn’t substantial, it’ll affect your Steam downloads. If you want to learn more about why your Steam download limit might not be working, this guide covers common causes and fixes.

What is a good Steam download speed?

Enjoying a smooth and fast Steam download requires a download speed between 10MBps – 20MBps. Hence, anything less than 10MBps can make Steam download unstable.

Fortunately, some easy fixes can help permanently fix the slow download speed on Steam. Likewise, users can read through our article about how to fix Steam update download stuck or not downloading.

If your Steam download also goes on and off unexpectedly, check out this detailed article on Steam download going on and off.

There can also be forms to this issue, like download restarts from the beginning, and Steam download goes back to 0.

Please comment below if any of the above fixes have worked for you. We’d like a response from you.