To keep Steam downloads from crowding out browsing, calls, streaming, or play, open Steam > Settings > Downloads, enable Limit Download Speed, and choose a cap. There is no single cap that suits every connection, so adjust it while checking how your other online activities perform. First, check the units Steam displays: bytes per second and bits per second differ by a factor of eight.
How to limit Steam download speed
- Open the setting: In the Steam client, go to Steam > Settings > Downloads, turn on Limit Download Speed, and select a limit. Steam identifies this as the control for restricting how much bandwidth the client uses while downloading and updating games. See Steam Support’s instructions for setting client rates.
- Check the units: Steam may display rates in kilobytes or megabytes per second, while internet plans are commonly advertised in bits per second. Because a byte contains eight bits, a number copied directly from your plan into Steam may set a very different limit than you intend.
- Adjust against real use: Start with a cap and test the activity you want to protect while Steam downloads. Lower the cap if calls, streaming, browsing, or play still struggle; raise it if those activities are fine and the download is taking longer than you prefer. The right setting depends on your connection and what else is using it.
Choose between a speed cap and update controls
A speed limit controls how fast Steam can download. Update scheduling and per-game settings instead control when or whether particular downloads start. Use the option that addresses the interruption you are actually seeing.
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| Option | Best for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Global download speed limit | Keeping Steam downloads active while leaving capacity for other online activity. | Downloads take longer; the useful cap varies with the connection and simultaneous use. |
| Schedule automatic updates | Moving automatic updates out of work, calls, play, or busy household hours. | Automatic updates wait for the selected local-time window. Queued downloads can be reordered or manually started. |
| Per-game update setting | Managing updates for a particular game that is disrupting other use. | With update-on-launch, you may have to wait for an update before playing. |
| Allow downloads during gameplay | Continuing downloads while a game is running. | Downloads may affect game network performance; a bandwidth limit may help if that happens. |
Schedule updates or change one game’s behavior
Set an automatic-update window
In Steam > Settings > Downloads, use Only auto-update games between to choose when automatic updates can run. The times are local time. Steam’s download and update guidance also explains that you can reorder queued downloads in Download Manager.
Defer updates for a specific game
Open the game’s Library page, then choose Manage > Properties > Updates. Select Only update this game when I launch it if you want to defer its updates, or use Always keep this game updated or High Priority for different update behavior. Steam also provides a per-game choice about whether other updates download while that game is running. With update-on-launch, launching can require the game to update before you play.
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Can Steam download while you play?
By default, Steam pauses downloads when a game launches so the game’s network activity gets priority. To keep downloads going, open Steam > Settings > Downloads and enable Allow Downloads During Gameplay. If downloads affect game network performance, set a bandwidth limit. Steam describes this behavior in its gameplay download support page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a low download rate is not a bandwidth problem
A low speed shown in Steam does not necessarily mean your internet connection is saturated. Steam installations can use substantial CPU and disk resources, and Steam may throttle the displayed download rate to match the client’s ability to handle other installation work. If other internet activity is working normally while Steam’s rate is low, check whether installation or disk activity is the bottleneck before changing the network cap.
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For wider connection problems, Steam’s network and Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance suggests checking router settings and Wi-Fi conditions. Depending on your setup, that can include trying a less congested router channel or comparing available Wi-Fi bands. These are diagnostics for connectivity trouble, not prerequisites for using Steam’s built-in download limit.
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