To limit game downloads and updates, open Steam > Settings > Downloads, turn on Limit Download Speed, and choose a rate. To limit a Steam Remote Play or Steam Link stream, change its separate streaming bandwidth or quality settings; the download-speed cap does not control the stream.
Limit Steam game downloads and updates
- Open the Steam desktop client.
- Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads.
- Enable Limit Download Speed and select the rate you want Steam to use.
Steam says the selected limit is shown in the Download Manager and in the dialog that appears when a game launches or updates. See Steam’s download-speed settings instructions and download and update management guide.
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Check the units before choosing a cap
Steam’s rate settings use kilobytes or megabytes per second, while internet plans are commonly advertised in kilobits or megabits per second. A byte contains eight bits, so convert between the two units before comparing the cap with your connection speed. Actual transfer rates can also be lower than a plan’s advertised rate because of network overhead and other activity.
Choose what Steam should do while you play
Steam normally pauses downloads when you launch a game so that the game can use the network. Steam Support puts it this way: “Steam automatically pauses your downloads when a game is launched in order to prioritize the network activity for the game itself.”
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If you want downloads to continue during gameplay, open Steam > Settings > Downloads and change the option controlling downloads during gameplay. With downloads enabled, set a cap that leaves capacity for the game and other people using the connection. There is no single rate that works for every connection; lower the cap if gameplay or other household activity becomes unreliable. Details are in Steam’s automatic download pause guidance.
Set update behavior for an individual game
In your Library, open a game’s Manage/Properties > Updates settings. Steam provides choices for keeping a game updated, updating it only when launched, or prioritizing it over other games. The per-game controls also let you manage whether other updates are allowed while that game is running. These options are useful when one game matters more than the rest of your library, while the global speed cap limits download throughput across Steam.
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Schedule automatic updates
In Steam > Settings > Downloads, set a time window for automatic updates if you prefer them to run outside gaming hours. You can override the schedule from the Download Manager or by launching a game that needs an update. Steam describes these scheduling and queue options in its downloads and updates guide.
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A download cap affects downloads and updates, not the live video-and-audio stream sent during Remote Play. Adjust the streaming controls instead. Steam’s Remote Play instructions place bandwidth tuning in the advanced streaming settings, which can also be adjusted from the in-game overlay. For Steam Link, look under Streaming > Advanced Client Options, or in Big Picture Mode under In-Home Streaming > Advanced Client Options.
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Tune the stream to your connection
- Start with a low streaming bandwidth setting. For Remote Play, Steam suggests 3 Mbit/s as a starting point, then recommends increasing it gradually until hitches appear and returning to the previous workable setting. This is a tuning starting point, not a guaranteed suitable rate for every network or resolution.
- For Steam Link, increase bandwidth gradually until problems appear, then return to the last setting that worked. Choose Automatic to reset to the default behavior.
- If the stream still struggles, try a lower resolution or a lower quality setting. Steam says Balanced or Fast quality uses less streaming bandwidth, with a corresponding reduction in visual quality.
- Use the Remote Play performance overlay to look for highly variable network time when diagnosing stutter or freezing. Steam also notes that a wired Ethernet connection for the host can reduce wireless interference.
See Steam’s suggested Steam Link network settings and its Steam Link bandwidth controls for the streaming options and tuning steps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Steam downloads seem slow even with no cap
A low displayed download rate does not always mean Steam is being limited by your network. Installing a game can place heavy demands on the CPU and disk; Steam may slow the displayed download rate to keep pace with installation work. Check whether the download is actively transferring or processing files before changing network settings. Steam notes this installation bottleneck in its network and Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance.
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Which Steam control should you use?
| Control | What it limits or changes | Where to find it | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download speed cap | Steam download and update throughput | Steam > Settings > Downloads | Reducing the impact of large downloads on gameplay or other household internet use |
| Pause downloads during gameplay | Whether downloads continue when a game launches | Steam > Settings > Downloads | Giving gameplay priority without tuning a download rate |
| Per-game update policy | When a particular game updates and its priority relative to other games | Library > a game’s Manage/Properties > Updates | Controlling updates for a specific game |
| Automatic update schedule | When Steam runs automatic updates | Steam > Settings > Downloads | Moving routine updates to a chosen time window |
| Remote Play or Steam Link bandwidth and quality | Live stream bandwidth, resolution, or visual quality | Advanced streaming settings or Steam Link’s advanced client options | Reducing stream stutter or its effect on other network use |
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