Steam using all my internet bandwidth in background (not game download/update)

[Pill Pusher]

My steam client seems to be updating or otherwise using internet bandwidth when I start a game, use the steam overlay, or simply hit 'esc' to open the main menu (in CSGO for example). I checked and no games are downloading or updating. I've unsubscribed from every workshop mod. I have tried multiple settings to try and resolve it and nothing seems to work. I even tried dumping the web browser and download cache.

It's very specific what starts it. When I boot up a game it will hog bandwidth for 2-10 minutes and then go back to normal. Same thing when I use the steam overlay or hit escape - 2-10 minutes of 1000+ ping, unplayable gaming. Same thing whenever a CSGO match ends and I go back to the main menu. I can't even search for a new game because my ping is so high and I end up getting connected to some non-NA server. It's extremely consistent to the point that I can trigger it on command. Even after it finishes whatever it's doing, if I hit escape to bring up the menu, bang, it starts again immediately.

I have a slow internet connection (2.5mb/s down) so whenever anything is using internet, downloading, etc. I get spikes in ping so I need to get this resolved.

I can see on Windows Resource Monitor that it's steam.exe using the bandwidth and when I filter by activity I can see that the main bandwidth is going to some 10 digit IP address. I googled it and it is operated by Akamai International which seems like a legit content delivery company. Each time it's triggered, it uses a different IP address.

Any ideas?

[Elucidator]

Shader Precaching

(edit) To put it in terms of a help/tip type of advise:
Steam Settings > Shader Pre-Caching
turn that off. It should be resolved. (not entirely 100% sure if it is this, but in all likelihood it is)

[ALPHA]

yes

[Elucidator]

Do you want to know more?

Akamai is Steam's main content delivery network (cdn) partner. Their second partner is cloudflare.
Akamai/Steam uses Let's Encrypt's SSL certificate authorities to sign the network connection.
When you download a game, it likely uses akamai, and if it cannot cloudflare.

Shader Pre-Caching is a feature a lot of companies try to implement nowadays for some reason. (including AMD on their graphics card software, and nvidia on their gpu software as well)
some games also have it, which .... makes no sense at all.
If all of those have shader precaching, then you download the same thing three times every time you run the game. You likely don't need Steam's shader precaching feature, because your GPU software will download it as well if it is enabled at least.
but you have the option of turning Steam on and the one AMD provides off, if you use AMD at least. (competition xd)

idk if it will improve game performance quality wise, some are convinced it does, but idk myself.
Steam basically has specific shader settings on their network and these were tested; these 'precompiled shaders' is what Steam Client then grabs off their network and forces into the game. meh-

graphics is kinda big, so I am not surprised it takes a while to download these precompiles things.

Edit: quote from steam:

“Shader Pre–Caching allows Steam to download pre-compiled GPU shaders matching your system configuration. This allows Vulkan and OpenGL games to load faster and improve framerate stability during gameplay.

Edit 2: normally your gpu compiles the shaders live to match your system. This could theoratically slow down your GPU (if it cannot handle as much) and so for some fast paced competitive FPS games for example, it can be handy to have precompiles shaders (for PVP reasons, it can be an advantage). (but they really need to match your system, otherwise you get issues) (note that it also depends on how the game was programmed, as to when to compile these shaders)

[Pill Pusher]

Originally posted by Elucidator:

Shader Precaching

(edit) To put it in terms of a help/tip type of advise:
Steam Settings > Shader Pre-Caching
turn that off. It should be resolved. (not entirely 100% sure if it is this, but in all likelihood it is)

I've had that turned off for a few days. Did not seem to change anything.

[Pill Pusher]

Just to be clear, graphic performance is fine. It's all internet bandwidth issues.

[WooTs]

I talked to steam support and one guy eventually said that its just the way it is. VAC is downloading in the background and it must be a huge file because it takes forever to download if your net isnt fiber...

It sucks

[Iceira]

Use the in client steam option and reduce steam usage resources there is no other way, clear webcache and cookie , but even that will rebuild up over time again.

Stream mini mode maybe.
but most dont like that, no GUI no forum no info at all just a game launcher client.