Downloading a game on steam is a nightmare

[Baston]

Basically, every time I download a game, the download speed is like a roller coaster. It will reach max speed for 2 seconds, then drop to 0 o/s for around 30 seconds, then maybe 1 MB/s, etc.

Steam is the ONLY launcher where I have this problem. Every other launcher works fine, with the download speed at the maximum from start to finish.

So, I tried something. I downloaded Overwatch 2 on Blizzard AND on Steam. It took a few minutes on Battle.net because the launcher is well-optimized, and the download speed is consistent.

On Steam, though, it took 1h30! I've already contacted Steam support twice (a few years apart), and they told me a few months ago that the problem was on my end.

What's funny is that I've had this problem for years now, and I recently moved to a different house, bought a whole new PC, and even changed internet providers. Still the same problem.

Any idea what's going on?

Here's a screenshot when I download a game : https://www.noelshack.com/2024-33-5-1723819750-capture-d-cran-2024-08-16-164106.png

[Lithurge]

If you're using a SSD then try disabling write cache whilst downloading on Steam. Some people have found this solves the issue.

[Baston]

Originally posted by Lithurge:

If you're using a SSD then try disabling write cache whilst downloading on Steam. Some people have found this solves the issue.

Dude i want to THANK YOU SO MUCH !

After many years contacting the support, 3 different houses, 2 different PC, 2 different internet providers, and many attempts to find a solution, you are the one who saved me about this.

You're a goat and I hope that you will have luck every single day of your life, and even after.
God bless you

[Jerry]

The most common cause for cycling download speed fluctuations between full and zero is, that the hardware can not keep up with the internet transmission speed. Steam downloads are done "on the fly", so they do all the unpacking and installation stuff, while the data is being transferred. That can put quite a load especially on hard drives (less often, it's the CPU, that does not hold up).

If the download is getting too far ahead, it takes a break to let the PC catch up.
Slimming down the installation/writing routine, as mentioned above, can help. If it should not help anymore at some point, limiting your download speed or doing the installation on a (really) fast PC and transporting the data via portable means would be other possibilities.

Technology has developed at different rates. I'm not familiar with the current numbers, but I would guess, common internet lines run at 1000 times the speed, that a broadband connection in Steam's early days could deliver. PC hardware on the other hand, did not take quite such a leap.

All I can say is, I still got an old 1000 kbit line here, and my Steam never goes below full speed when I load something.