Are you fed up with waiting days for the latest games to download on Steam? In this article, we’ve got all the details on how you can increase your Steam download speed for free!
We’ve all been there. There’s a new Call of Duty that is, for some unknown reason, 20TB in size, and Steam is now showing an estimated completion time of sometime in the next century. Nothing sucks more than watching your friends play a game while you’re still waiting for it to download. But it doesn’t have to be this way! In fact, you can increase your download speed on Steam in less than one minute.
Steam Servers
Okay, enough preamble; improving your Steam download speed is as easy as changing servers. By default, Steam will select a download server that has the best connection for you. However, if you’ve moved, or simply had Steam downloaded for a long time, the server that was once best for download speed might not be any more.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to connect to the closest server location to you. In the UK, Steam has two servers to choose from, London and Manchester. However, it may be worth checking both servers and downloading a game to see which is best for you.
How Do I Change Steam Download Server?
Changing to a different server is easy. Open Steam Settings and head to the download section. In this panel, you’ll be able to select a ‘download region’.
It’s Not Me, It’s You
That didn’t work, huh? Well, shoot. While not exactly free, there is an easy way to improve your connection. If you’re still gaming on Wi-Fi, then changing to ethernet or even just upgrading to a more advanced Wi-Fi router can make a significant difference.
Let’s be honest. Your ISP’s default router probably isn’t the most powerful, especially if it’s been a few years since you’ve had an upgrade. If running super long network cables from your router to your PC isn’t possible (sorry, mum), then upgrading your access point is a great way to benefit from the latest tech.
ASUS GS-AX5400 dual-band WiFi 6 gaming router
- New-generation WiFi 6 – Enjoy ultrafast speeds up to 5400 Mbps with 160 MHz WiFi 6 channels
- Fully optimized gaming – Mobile Game Mode, dedicated Gaming Port and Gear Accelerator let you optimize any type of gaming on mobile, console or PC
- VPN Fusion – Run a VPN and an ordinary internet connection simultaneously, allowing maximum speed even if other network users need to use a VPN
ASUS RT-AX82Uv2 – AX5400 Dual-Band 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
- Enjoy the fastest, smoothest WiFi gaming connections ever with the ASUS RT-AX82U dual-band WiFi 6 router. It delivers ultrafast WiFi speeds up to 5400 Mbps
- Lower latency, Faster speeds, Energy efficient, Longer range.RT-AX82U brings you all the benefits of WiFi 6
- Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app.
How do you ensure swift steam downloads?
Hopefully, your download speeds are now looking a little better than they were before. Hey, maybe you’ll even be able to play a new game the same decade it launches now 💀. Let us know if any of these tips helped you in the comments.
- 3 min read
Robert Mullane
Author
When not working, you'll find me in VR or losing in bottom-tier Valorant matches. I write about all topic's tech and gaming with a particular focus on representation in gaming, virtual reality, and LGBTQ+ themes. If you're still not fed up with me, you can also catch me over on the Overclockers UK TikTok and YouTube accounts.
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