Steam Download Limit is Not Working: 3 Ways to Fix it

Try these steps to limit downloads in Steam with ease

Gaming » Steam

Megan Moore

Steam

6 min. read

Updated on June 30, 2025

Even if you have slow internet, Steam does not slow its download speed, which impacts the speed and performance of your PC.

The way to fix this is to throttle the download speed. However, users report this feature is not working correctly. Check out the solutions below to solve this issue.

If you’re having issues with Steam running slow or your Steam games lagging, we also have solutions for that problem.

Why is Steam ignoring the download limit I set?

Users report that when they have an unstable internet connection, Steam ignores the download limit they set. If you have an internet connection that cuts in and out and is unreliable, then Steam may ignore any download limits.

This type of erratic behavior can also be linked to other related issues, such as when your Steam download goes to 0 bytes unexpectedly or appears to hang despite being active.

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How can I limit downloads on Steam?

Why is Steam ignoring the download limit I set?
How can I limit downloads on Steam?

1. Limit auto-updates

Open Steam, click on the Steam menu in the top left corner, and select Settings.
Under Downloads, check the box next to Only auto-update games between.
Set your desired time and click OK.

Try adjusting the settings to only have Steam auto-update your games between a specific time, preferably a 1-hour interval during a time that you are not using your PC.

If you’re dealing with more persistent problems where Steam downloads keep stopping randomly, this auto-update limit can sometimes act as a workaround.

This will limit any updates and downloads to take place during that interval.

2. Change download region

Open Steam, click on the Steam menu in the top left corner, and select Settings.
In Downloads, located Download Region.
Change the region to somewhere that is not as active and click OK.

When choosing a region, don’t pick one that is geographically close to you; instead, like one where the local time is in the middle of the night. Or a region with a spread out population.

Changing your download region does not affect online gaming servers; it only impacts the download server and may reduce issues like Steam downloads constantly turning on and off.

3. Lower bandwidth limit

Open Steam, click on the Steam menu in the top left corner, and select Settings.
In Downloads, check the box next to Limit bandwidth to.
Enter a value lower than what you want Steam to limit in kb/s and click Apply.
Click OK and restart Steam.

Some users reported that lowering the Limit kept Steam from ignoring it. Try reducing the Limit and restarting Steam to see if it worked.

This can be helpful with other Steam download issues such as Steam downloads restarting repeatedly or when the download progress isn’t showing properly, even though the download is technically running.

Summary

We hope one of the above solutions helped you fix the download limit in Steam if it’s not working. Let us know in the comments which step worked for you or if you have a suggestion for a different solution.

If the issue is affecting demo installs specifically, you might also want to check what to do when the Steam demo download button is not working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Steam download while I play games?

Steam can download updates and new games in the background while you play, but this can lead to in-game lag or reduced performance depending on your system and network strength. To manage this, go to Settings > Library and adjust the background download options. You can enable or disable downloads while playing games, depending on your preference. If you’re experiencing noticeable lag or stuttering, it’s best to pause downloads during gameplay and resume them afterward.

Why does Steam download fast, then suddenly slow down?

It’s normal for Steam to start a download quickly and then slow down, especially during installation. That’s because after downloading compressed game files, Steam has to extract and install them, which puts pressure on your CPU and storage drive. This is particularly noticeable on traditional hard drives or systems with limited RAM. If the slowdown is extreme or sustained, it may indicate a problem with your drive’s health or a conflict with another background process. Try clearing your download cache or switching your Steam library to a faster drive.

How do I fix Steam not downloading at full speed?

There are several steps you can take to restore full download speeds. First, make sure Steam’s bandwidth isn’t being limited in the Downloads settings. Next, try switching to another download region and clearing your download cache. You should also pause any other apps or devices that might be consuming network resources. In some cases, your antivirus or firewall might be interfering with Steam, so adding Steam to the exception list can help. Finally, check that your drive isn’t full or overly fragmented, which can also bottleneck performance.

What’s a good download server region in Steam?

Steam automatically selects a content server region based on your location, but the closest server isn’t always the fastest. If your downloads are slower than expected, try manually switching to a nearby region that might be less crowded. You can do this by going to Steam > Settings > Downloads and changing the “Download Region” dropdown. Selecting a neighboring country or a major city near you can make a surprising difference in speed, especially during peak hours.

Does Steam throttle download speeds automatically?

Steam itself doesn’t automatically throttle download speeds unless you’ve set it to do so. However, slowdowns may occur when Steam servers are under high demand, such as during major game releases or seasonal sales. Additionally, third-party network tools or routers with QoS (Quality of Service) features may throttle Steam without you realizing it. Make sure Steam is prioritized in your network settings, and disable any unnecessary bandwidth restrictions in Steam or your router settings.

Can I schedule or pause Steam downloads?

Yes, Steam offers a way to schedule downloads so they only run during certain hours. This is perfect if you want to avoid heavy internet use during the day or only allow updates overnight. Head to Settings > Library > Download Restrictions, and you’ll see an option to enable time-based download windows. You can also pause and resume individual downloads manually from your Library, giving you more control over when and how your games are downloaded.