Steam is using large network bandwidth even when nothing is downloading.

[DjSquid85]

My network has started to run very slow and when I launched task manager it shows steam bootstrapper client is using 4.2 Mbps and I'm not even using steam in the slightest. No downloads going on, no games being olayed, no updates in progress. Just eating up my bandwidth. Any idea why or how to stop this?

[Gorkfu]

Did you ever find a fix for this issue?

I know it's been awhile since it occurred for you but I'd appreciate it if you remember the solution. I have the same issue on one of my computers. It's starting to look like the only solution is to reformat the PC. I'm beginning to think it's windows registry related since it doesn't effect all my computers.

I put a ticket in as well because every topic on this is either unanswered or vague.

[Gorkfu]

Ok I found the solution for anyone else that needs it later on.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/570/discussions/0/1621724915776508799/

To sum up, it's a glitch regarding the Shader Pre-Caching in settings.

In Settings -> Shader Pre-Caching.

Simply untick that checkbox and turn it back on if you want as well.

[Gorkfu]

Sigh, I was partially wrong. The issue came back. It only happens on two comps running windows 10. My third comp still runs windows 7 (planned on updating until this happened) and does not exhibit this issue at all. Hopefully support can help on this. Seems to be related to windows 10 somehow.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

I'm guessing it is due to the new UI that was not around last year when the OP made his thread.

Try turning off stuff in the settings...

Steam > Settings > Library

[Gorkfu]

That was one of the first things I did, and I've been using the new library before this issue popped up. Set the library and have it set to low bandwidth. Here's my list I gave to support that I checked over and the issue remains. Maybe there's something I didn't check.

1. I uninstalled/reinstalled steam and the issue remained.
2. This issue is exclusive to two windows 10 computers, my third windows 7 computer doesn't have this issue.
3. It is not games that are downloading. I even tested with no games installed and have the same amount of bandwidth being sucked up by nothing.
4. I also lowered the game download speed to the lowest at 16 KB/s but that has no effect on the issue.
5. It does not appear to be from a steam client update, it says it's up to date.
6. I don't think it's from cloud saves because I have them turned off.
7. The most recent game update before this happened was for Grand Theft Auto 5 but I don't think it's related.
8. I even checked at the router level and I'm 100% positive it was the only program that was hogging this bandwidth.
9. Unsubscribed from all workshop items since I thought it was another possibility of causing this issue.
10. Tried Shader Pre-Caching ticking off and issue remained.
11. New library settings set to low bandwidth/disable community content.

I do have a lot of games though, so I wonder if there is a bug in the new library system but then that doesn't explain why on windows 7 this problem is non existent.

[Gorkfu]

Ok, I just tried the steam beta client on my laptop win 10 and the issue is gone! Restarted the computer and steam a few times to be certain and the issue is still gone. Gonna go try my main gaming comp to see if beta resolves it there as well.

Edit:
Can confirm this issue was resolved by installing the beta client to both computers.

[Tactical Lettuce]

Hi there, in case anyone is still having this issue I found a fix that worked for me by going into settings > library and enabling low bandwidth mode which also disables community content (but you can still click it at the bottom of the game's page if you want). Hope this helps!

[teslav8]

Originally posted by Gorkfu:

Ok I found the solution for anyone else that needs it later on.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/570/discussions/0/1621724915776508799/

To sum up, it's a glitch regarding the Shader Pre-Caching in settings.

In Settings -> Shader Pre-Caching.

Simply untick that checkbox and turn it back on if you want as well.

Originally posted by Tactical Lettuce:

Hi there, in case anyone is still having this issue I found a fix that worked for me by going into settings > library and enabling low bandwidth mode which also disables community content (but you can still click it at the bottom of the game's page if you want). Hope this helps!

[The Desert Fox]

nothing in this thread worked for me. Still getting Steam.exe bouncing up to 1.5mb recieving when im game.

[󠀡󠀡]

Originally posted by Gorkfu:

Ok I found the solution for anyone else that needs it later on.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/570/discussions/0/1621724915776508799/

To sum up, it's a glitch regarding the Shader Pre-Caching in settings.

In Settings -> Shader Pre-Caching.

Simply untick that checkbox and turn it back on if you want as well.

this work for me thx

[76561199054043594]

Originally posted by The Desert Fox:

nothing in this thread worked for me. Still getting Steam.exe bouncing up to 1.5mb recieving when im game.

did u found any solotion? :L

[rura]

Originally posted by The Desert Fox:

nothing in this thread worked for me. Still getting Steam.exe bouncing up to 1.5mb recieving when im game.

THE "SOLUTION"
The problem is the loading of News in the main menu, the workaround is to block it:
Go to your hosts file located here: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Open "hosts" with notepad
Enter the following line at the end:
127.0.0.1 blog.counter-strike.net

[Dolor]

nothing in this thread has STILL not worked for me im going to pull my hair out

[rura]

Originally posted by DigDugFan612204547:

nothing in this thread has STILL not worked for me im going to pull my hair out

Do this problem occur when you are playing on different account? Maybe its problem with your steam cache? Try removing all your workshop items and clearing your steam cache/ deleting temporaly files from your Steam's directory(at your own risk) / reinstaling steam. What speed your internet is? And you should try switching your internet for example host mobile data to your pc

[Iceira]

Maybe ask GPU Brand, no im not kidding, Vulkan and pre-shader cache and the way how things work per game and its option , sure you can turn such off but that dont explan game devs use it or is enable by GPU or use with that as thirpart app or how things work now, this might be way more complicate and not even a steam issue, then game devs also use it, its not that simple to blaim it on steam option only, what will you do then game devs has its as a need or game might not even work someday. ( you siye and technicaly complain over MB thats can be seen as waste of time and you only ruin it for yourself with not have them optimize files to whatever game.

your problem might be 1000 games with few update then its alot. ( might be a diffrent issue and we are back at you are not in controll over content and never will have, thats game devs and Vulkan driver aka preshader cache is. all this is GPU Related issue and actual not a Steam problem, how thing works now to oprimize games better, sure i bet bugs and mistake wont make it better. but that is nothing new. )

Technicaly sit and argue over optimize game play and the way Vulkan Driver now do it better then old ways, is already a lost battle, take it up with GPU CARD support.

MB is seen as tiny files today GB and TB thats a diffrent matter. ( per game MB update is do you even have a issue or just tired of not know what going on thats a diffrent matter and have actual nothing to do with the files , ask steam support for better information then it happend, we other just live with it.