Why Do Steam Downloads Keep Dropping to 0? [10 FIX]

Steam is a popular gaming platform that allows users to download and play their favorite games. However, many users have reported experiencing an issue where their Steam downloads suddenly drop to 0 bytes. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re excited to play a new game. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this problem and provide you with actionable solutions to fix it.

Understanding the Problem

When your Steam download speed drops to 0 bytes, it means that your download has come to a halt and is not progressing. This can happen for various reasons, including issues with your internet connection, Steam’s servers, or local network settings. It’s important to pinpoint the exact cause to effectively resolve the problem.

Quick Checks and Precautions

Before diving into the solutions, there are a few quick checks and precautions you can take to ensure that the problem is not on your end.

Check your bandwidth usage: Make sure that no other devices or applications on your network are consuming excessive bandwidth.

Test your internet connection: Use online tools like SpeedTest or Fast to check the speed and performance of your internet connection.

Restart Steam and your router: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Restart both Steam and your router to see if it improves the download speed.

Clearing Steam’s Download Cache

One of the most effective solutions for resolving the Steam download speed dropping to 0 bytes issue is to clear Steam’s download cache. This cache can sometimes become corrupted and cause download problems. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Steam client on your PC and sign in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top-left corner and choose “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
3. In the settings panel, select “Downloads” from the left menu.
4. Click on the “Clear Download Cache” button located at the bottom of the page.
5. Confirm the action and wait for Steam to clear the download cache.
6. Restart Steam and attempt to download your game again.

Executing the “wpr-cancel” Command

If clearing the download cache didn’t solve the problem, you can try executing the “wpr-cancel” command in the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

1. Open the Windows search bar and type in “Command Prompt.”
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator.”
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command:sc config "DiagTrack" start=disabled and press Enter.
4. Type the next command:sc stop "DiagTrack" and press Enter.
5. Close the Command Prompt and restart Steam.

Executing this command disables the Diagnostics Tracking Service, which may be causing conflicts with Steam downloads.

Changing Your Steam Download Region

Sometimes, changing your Steam download region can improve download speeds. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Steam on your PC and sign in to your account.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top-left corner and choose “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
3. In the settings panel, select “Downloads” from the left menu.
4. Under the “Download Region” section, choose a different region that is geographically close to your location.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.
6. Restart Steam and check if the download speeds have improved.

Changing the download region can help you connect to a different server that may have better download performance.

Using a VPN

If changing the download region didn’t yield satisfactory results, you can try using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask and reroute your connection. This can help you bypass any network congestion or restrictions that may be affecting your download speed. Here’s how to use a VPN with Steam:

1. Choose a reputable VPN service provider and install their VPN client on your computer.
2. Launch the VPN client and connect to a server location of your choice.
3. Once the VPN connection is established, open Steam and resume your download.
4. Monitor the download speed to see if it improves with the VPN connection.

Using a VPN can potentially improve download speeds, but the actual performance may vary depending on the VPN provider and server location.

Updating Network Drivers

Outdated or incompatible network drivers can also cause issues with download speeds. To ensure that your network drivers are up to date, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the “Network adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Windows will search for the latest driver online and install it if available.
6. Restart your computer to apply the driver update.

Updating your network drivers can help optimize your network connection and potentially improve download speeds.

Disabling Background Apps

Background apps consuming your network bandwidth can affect your download speeds. To disable unnecessary apps and free up bandwidth, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, go to the “Processes” or “Details” tab.
3. Look for any processes or applications that are using a significant amount of network resources.
4. Right-click on those processes or applications and select “End task” to close them.
5. Repeat this process for all unnecessary apps consuming network bandwidth.

By disabling background apps, you can prioritize Steam downloads and potentially improve download speeds.

Checking Bandwidth Usage

If you share your network with others, excessive bandwidth usage by other devices or applications can affect your download speeds. To check bandwidth usage and limit it if necessary, follow these steps:

1. Access your router’s settings by typing its IP address in your web browser’s address bar.
2. Log in to your router using the provided credentials.
3. Look for the “Bandwidth” or “Quality of Service” settings in your router’s configuration.
4. Set limits or priorities for different devices or applications to manage bandwidth usage effectively.
5. Save the changes and restart your router to apply the settings.

By managing bandwidth usage, you can ensure that Steam downloads receive the necessary bandwidth for optimal speeds.

Resetting Networking Devices

Resetting your networking devices can help resolve temporary glitches and optimize your network connection. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Turn off your router and modem by unplugging them from the power source.
2. Wait for at least 30 seconds before plugging them back in.
3. After plugging them back in, wait for a few minutes for the devices to restart.
4. Once the devices have restarted, check if the download speeds have improved.

Resetting your networking devices can refresh the connection and potentially resolve any issues affecting your download speeds.

Testing Your Internet Connection

If none of the previous solutions have worked, it’s important to validate the performance of your internet connection. Follow these steps to test your internet connection:

1. Use online tools like SpeedTest or Fast to measure your download and upload speeds.
2. Compare the results with your expected internet speeds provided by your internet service provider.
3. If the measured speeds are significantly lower than expected, contact your ISP for further assistance.

Validating your internet connection can help identify any underlying issues that may be affecting your download speeds.

Patience is Key

In some cases, the issue may not be on your end but with Steam’s servers. If this is the case, there is little you can do except wait patiently for the issue to be resolved. Steam occasionally experiences server maintenance or high traffic, which can impact download speeds. Keep an eye on Steam’s official status page or community forums for any announcements regarding server issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, experiencing Steam download speeds dropping to 0 bytes can be frustrating, but there are several solutions you can try to resolve the issue. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can improve your chances of successfully downloading and enjoying your favorite games on Steam. Remember to perform the necessary checks, clear the download cache, update network drivers, and optimize your network settings to ensure a smooth gaming experience.