How to fix Steam Download Starting and Stopping

Welcome to our friendly guide on resolving issues with Steam downloads starting and stopping. In this blog post, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions to help you get your downloads back on track. So let's dive in!

Adjust Bandwidth:

Sometimes, limiting or adjusting your download bandwidth can help resolve the issue. Here's how you can do it:

a) Open Steam and go to "Settings."

b) Click on the "Downloads" tab.

c) Look for the "Download Restrictions" section and adjust the bandwidth as needed.

When Steam downloads are starting and stopping, it could be due to a bandwidth issue. By adjusting the download bandwidth, you can allocate a specific amount of internet speed for Steam downloads, ensuring a smoother experience. This can be particularly useful if you have a slow internet connection or are sharing it with multiple devices.

Sync Date and Time:

Ensuring that your system's date and time are accurate is essential for a smooth Steam experience. Follow these simple steps to sync them correctly:

a) Go to your computer's taskbar and find the date/time display.

b) Right-click on it and select "Adjust date/time."

c) Make sure the settings are set to automatically sync with an internet time server.

Steam relies on accurate system time to function properly. If your computer's date and time are not synchronized correctly, it can cause issues with Steam downloads. By ensuring that your system's date and time settings are set to automatically sync with an internet time server, you can avoid potential conflicts.

Update Network Driver:

Outdated network drivers can sometimes cause interruptions in Steam downloads. Here's what you need to do to update them:

a) Press Windows key + X and select "Device Manager."

b) Locate the network adapter category and expand it.

c) Right-click on your network adapter and choose "Update driver."

Network drivers play a crucial role in establishing a stable connection between your computer and the internet. If your network drivers are outdated, it can lead to intermittent connectivity issues, resulting in Steam downloads starting and stopping. By updating your network drivers, you ensure that your computer can communicate effectively with the internet, improving the reliability of your Steam downloads.

Connect Steam to the Internet:

Confirming that your Steam client is connected properly to the internet is crucial for uninterrupted downloads. Follow these steps:

a) Check if other internet-dependent applications are working fine.

b) Restart your router/modem or try connecting via an ethernet cable if using Wi-Fi.

Sometimes, the issue with Steam downloads starting and stopping lies with your internet connection itself. By checking if other internet-dependent applications are working fine, you can determine whether the problem is specific to Steam or your overall internet connectivity. Additionally, restarting your router/modem or using an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi can help stabilize your connection, resolving any potential issues.

Disable Windows Defender (or any other antivirus software):

Sometimes, overprotective antivirus software can interfere with Steam downloads. Temporarily disabling Windows Defender or any other antivirus software can help. Here's how:

a) Open Windows Security by searching for it in the start menu.

b) Select "Virus & threat protection."

c) Click on "Manage settings" and toggle off the "Real-time protection" option.

While antivirus software is essential for protecting your computer, it can sometimes mistake Steam's downloading behavior as a threat and interfere with the process. By temporarily disabling Windows Defender or any other antivirus software, you can eliminate potential conflicts and allow Steam to download without interruptions.

Enable .NET Framework:

Make sure that .NET Framework is enabled on your system, as Steam relies on it. Here's what you need to do:

a) Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

b) Type "appwiz.cpl" and press Enter.

c) In the Programs and Features window, click on "Turn Windows features on or off."

d) Scroll down and make sure ".NET Framework" is checked. If not, check it and click "OK."

.NET Framework is a software framework developed by Microsoft that provides a variety of functionalities for Windows-based applications, including Steam. If .NET Framework is not enabled on your system, it can cause issues with Steam downloads. By ensuring that .NET Framework is enabled, you allow Steam to function optimally, reducing the chances of downloads starting and stopping.

Change Download Region:

Switching to a different download region may help resolve issues related to specific server congestion. Follow these steps:

a) Go to Steam's Settings.

b) Click on the "Downloads" tab.

c) Under the "Download Region" section, select a different region from the drop-down menu.

Steam has numerous download servers located worldwide. If the server you're currently connected to is experiencing congestion or other issues, it can lead to downloads starting and stopping. By changing your download region to a different one, you can potentially avoid server-related problems and maintain a steady download speed.

Flush HTML Caches:

Clearing out HTML caches can sometimes fix issues with Steam downloads. Here's how you can do it:

a) Close Steam completely.

b) Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

c) Type "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Steam\htmlcache\" and press Enter.

d) Delete all files and folders within this folder.

HTML caches are temporary files stored by Steam to speed up website loading times. However, these caches can accumulate over time, causing potential conflicts with downloads. By flushing the HTML caches, you remove unnecessary files that might be causing issues, allowing Steam to download without interruptions.

Clear Download Caches:

Clearing your download caches can also help troubleshoot download problems in Steam. Follow these simple steps:

a) Exit Steam completely.

b) Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

c) Type "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Steam\steamapps\downloading" and press Enter.

d) Delete all files and folders in this folder.

Similar to HTML caches, download caches can accumulate over time and cause problems with Steam downloads. By clearing the download caches, you ensure that Steam starts fresh and doesn't encounter any conflicts or errors while downloading your favorite games.

 Refresh Steam:

If all else fails, refreshing Steam can be the solution. Here's what you need to do:

a) Close Steam completely.

b) Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

c) Type "steam://flushconfig" and press Enter.

d) Restart Steam and try downloading again.

Refreshing Steam essentially resets the application to its default settings, resolving any potential issues that might be causing downloads to start and stop. By following these steps, you give Steam a clean slate, allowing it to function without any lingering problems.

We hope this friendly guide has helped you resolve the frustrating issue of Steam downloads starting and stopping. By following these steps, you should be able to get back to enjoying your favorite games without any interruptions. Remember to adjust bandwidth, sync date and time, update network drivers, ensure a proper internet connection, disable antivirus software if necessary, enable .NET Framework, change download regions, flush HTML caches, clear download caches, and refresh Steam. With these troubleshooting techniques, you'll be able to overcome any hurdles and continue your gaming adventures seamlessly. Happy gaming!