The issue of steam downloads pausing and resuming intermittently is a common one experienced by steam users. This glitch extends download time for much longer than it should take and sometimes, the game just does not download. This can be really annoying as deduced from the reaction of many who have encountered the steam download keeps pausing problem when downloading new games. For years, users have been expecting steam to fix this issue but it remains.
Steam Download Keeps Pausing? The Possible Causes
What causes this download issue? It might be because you are downloading while playing another game. In this instance, steam prioritizes network activity for the game playing over the game downloading. To fix this, go to Settings on steam, then Downloads. From there, you can check the box “Allow Downloads During Gameplay”. It could also be a result of poor internet connection, system time, or outdated drivers.
We will suggest a couple of working fixes that have proven to benefit others. You might need to keep trying one after the other until you find the one that works for you. Some fixes might not totally eliminate the problem but they will at least slow down the rate at which steam download keeps pausing.
Steam Download Keeps Pausing? Working Fixes
Fix 1: Disconnect and Reconnect Steam to Internet
Fix 2: Change Download Region
Fix 3: Synchronize System Time with an Internet Server Time
Fix 4: Disable Antivirus Temporarily
Fix 1: Disconnect and Reconnect Steam to Internet
If steam download keeps pausing due to internet connection, this is an option that will fix the problem
- On Steam, go to the top left corner and click Steam
- In the dropdown menu, click Go Offline, and in the page displayed, click Restart in offline mode
- Wait for some minutes, then, go back to the upper left corner and click Steam again, and in the dropdown menu, click Go Online
- On the displayed page, click Restart and go online
You can now try downloading again to see if the issue persists.
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Fix 2: Change Download Region
Changing the download region is a fix that has worked for some. You can change the download region by following these steps:
- On Steam, click Steam on the upper left corner
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu, then select Downloads
- From the dropdown menu, click Download Region. It will show a dropdown list with possible regions you can switch to.
- Choose a region that is not your country and click Ok.
You can now check to see if this fixes your download issue. If it doesn’t, you might have to change the download restrictions that steam requires when you change the download region. You can do this by following the steps below:
- Click Steam in the top left corner, then click Settings > Downloads
- On the same page where you changed the region, you will see the section Download Restrictions. Go to Limit Bandwidth to and change it to No Limit. Then click Ok.
This changes your download speed and has helped fix the steam download keeps pausing issue for some. You can also Clear Download Cache on the same page before clicking Ok. This sometimes helps to resolve download issues.
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Fix 3: Synchronize System Time with an Internet Server Time
Instead of manually setting your system time, sync it with a time server. Here is how to do it:
- Go to PC Settings
- Locate Time & Language >> Date & Time
- On the displayed page, go under Related settings and click Add clocks for different time zones, and under the internet time tab, click Change settings
- Check the box “Synchronize with an internet time server” and choose a server from the server box dropdown list, and then click Ok.
If the Steam download keeps pausing due to system time settings, this will fix it.
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Fix 4: Disable Antivirus Temporarily
If your antivirus software is causing any interference to the network connection of your steam client, you will need to temporarily disable it. How do I know if my antivirus is the problem? Well, it’s a trial and error method. You can disable it and then check if the problem is resolved. If it is, add your steam client to your firewall’s whitelist. This option has worked for some steam users. To disable your antivirus, you will need to follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
If you use the Windows Defender Antivirus though, just follow the steps below.
- Go to the Windows Start menu and in the search bar, type Windows Security
- Click Windows Security and in the dropdown list on the left, click Virus & threat protection
- Scroll down to Virus & threat protection settings and click Manage settings
- On the displayed page, toggle off the Real-time protection button and confirm the change.
This temporarily disables your Windows defender on Windows 10. You can then check to see if the steam download keeps pausing still.
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John follows everything happening in the tech industry, from the latest gadget launches to some of the big-name moves in the industry. He covers opinionated pieces and writes on some of the biggest names in the industry. John is also a freelance writer, so he shares articles on freelancing every now and then. email: john@tekpip.com Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.