How to Fix Steam Not Downloading Games

Are you tired of waiting for your games to download on Steam? It can be frustrating when the download speed is slow or the download won’t start at all. In this article, we’ll explore some common solutions to fix Steam not downloading games.

Check your internet connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and fast enough for downloading large files. You can try resetting your modem/router or connecting to a different network to see if the problem persists.

Check Your Internet Connection

One of the most common causes of Steam not downloading games is a poor internet connection. Before you start troubleshooting other issues, make sure that your internet connection is stable and strong. Check to see if other devices on your network are experiencing similar connectivity issues, as this could indicate a problem with your router or modem. You can also try resetting your router or modem to see if that resolves the issue. If your internet connection is slow or unreliable, consider upgrading your plan with your internet service provider or using an Ethernet cable to connect directly to your modem for a faster, more stable connection.

Steam not downloading can be frustrating, but there are several solutions you can try.

Clear Your Download Cache

Clear Your Download Cache

One of the common solutions to fix Steam not downloading games is to clear your download cache. To do this, go to your Steam client and click on “Steam” in the top left corner. From there, select “Settings” and then “Downloads”. Under the “Download Cache” section, click on “Clear Download Cache”. This will remove all the temporary files and folders that could be causing issues with downloading games. Once you have cleared the cache, restart Steam and try downloading the game again. If this doesn’t work, try other solutions such as changing your download region or disabling your antivirus software temporarily.

Disable Your Firewall or Antivirus

One common reason why Steam may not be downloading games is due to a firewall or antivirus software blocking the download. These programs are designed to protect your computer from potential threats, but they can also prevent certain programs from accessing the internet.

To fix this issue, you may need to temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software. This can usually be done through the settings or control panel of the program. Be sure to re-enable your security software once your download is complete.

If disabling your firewall or antivirus does not resolve the issue, you may need to consider other solutions such as checking your internet connection or clearing your Steam cache.


import os
import sys
import subprocess

def check_steam():
"""
Checks if Steam is running on the system
"""
# check if Steam is running
cmd = "pgrep steam"
try:
output = subprocess.check_output(cmd, shell=True)
return True
except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
return False

def restart_steam():
"""
Restarts Steam on the system
"""
# stop the Steam process
cmd = "killall steam"
try:
output = subprocess.check_output(cmd, shell=True)
except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
pass

# start the Steam process again
cmd = "steam"
try:
subprocess.Popen(cmd, shell=True)
except OSError:
print("Error: Steam not found on this system.")

def download_game(game_url):
"""
Downloads a game from Steam using its URL
"""
# check if Steam is running
if not check_steam():
restart_steam()

# download the game using Steam
cmd = "steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./game +app_update APP_ID validate +quit"
try:
output = subprocess.check_output(cmd, shell=True)
except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
print("Error: Could not download game. Reason:", e.output.decode())

# example usage
game_url = "steam://install/APP_ID"
download_game(game_url)

This code checks if Steam is running on the system and restarts it if necessary. It then downloads a game from Steam using its URL. This tool could be useful for users who are having trouble downloading games from Steam and want a simple solution to the problem.

Change Your Download Region

  • Open Steam and click on Steam in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
    Open Steam and click on Steam in the top left corner of the screen.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
  • Click on Downloads in the left-hand sidebar menu.
  • Under the Download Region section, select a different server from the dropdown menu.
  • Click OK to save the changes.
  • Restart Steam and attempt to download your game again.
    Click OK to save the changes.
Restart Steam and attempt to download your game again.

Verify Integrity of Game Files

Verify Integrity of Game Files: One possible solution to fix Steam not downloading games is to verify the integrity of game files. This process checks the game files for any missing or corrupt files and replaces them. To do this, go to your Steam library and right-click on the game that’s giving you trouble. Then, select “Properties” and click on the “Local Files” tab. From there, click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files” and wait for the process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of the game. Once completed, try downloading the game again and see if it works. If this doesn’t work, move on to the next solution.

Reinstall Steam

If you’ve tried all the solutions we’ve discussed and none of them have worked, then it may be time to uninstall and reinstall Steam. This process will remove all of your games and settings, so make sure that you’ve backed up everything you need before proceeding.

To uninstall Steam, go to your computer’s Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a Program.” Find Steam in the list of installed programs, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall.” Follow the prompts to completely remove Steam from your system.

Once Steam is uninstalled, head to the official Steam website and download the latest version of the client. Double-click on the downloaded file to begin the installation process, and follow the prompts to install Steam on your computer.

After installation, log in to your Steam account and test if the issue has been resolved. If not, you may need to reach out to Steam support for further assistance.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo
Scroll to Top