The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Fix a slow PC game download by identifying which layer is slow: the speed measurement, your internet path, one launcher’s settings or servers, or the disk writing files. First convert the launcher’s units, then check whether every download is affected, test Wi‑Fi against Ethernet, review the launcher’s cap and server region, and watch disk activity when the rate falls to zero. No single setting guarantees a faster download, and buying hardware before this diagnosis can waste money.
Use this diagnostic order
The fastest way to find the cause is to change one variable at a time. Work through these checks in order rather than changing DNS, router settings and launcher settings simultaneously.
| What you observe | Most useful first check | What it points toward |
|---|---|---|
| The number looks low, but web speed tests match your plan | Compare bits with bytes | Unit conversion, not necessarily a slow connection |
| Only Steam or only Epic is slow | Check that launcher’s service status, region and limit | Content-server routing or launcher configuration |
| Every download is slow on Wi‑Fi but improves on a cable | Compare the same download over Ethernet | Wireless signal, distance or congestion |
| The graph reaches 0 MB/s while disk activity continues | Watch disk read/write activity | File installation or writing between network bursts |
| Windows updates or Store apps are affected | Review Delivery Optimization activity and limits | Windows delivery settings, not a Steam or Epic control |
Check whether the speed is being measured in bits or bytes
Internet plans normally advertise bits per second, such as Mbps. Steam commonly displays file transfer in bytes per second, such as MB/s or KB/s. One byte is eight bits, so multiply a byte-per-second figure by eight before comparing it with your plan. Steam’s example is 768 KB/s × 8 = 6,144 Kb/s, which is 6 Mbps; the example appears in Steam Support’s explanation of slow downloads and content-server connections.
Use the same decimal or binary prefixes shown by the application when making a rough comparison. A launcher showing 10 MB/s is not reporting 10 Mbps; it is describing approximately eight times that many megabits per second before protocol overhead and other losses. Also do not confuse the Wi‑Fi or Ethernet link rate shown in Windows with the internet plan’s real-world download rate. The local link is only the connection between the PC and the network equipment.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
- Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
- Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
- Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
- High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
A fair comparison procedure
- Note the launcher’s unit exactly: bits use a lowercase b (for example, Mb/s), while bytes use an uppercase B (for example, MB/s).
- Convert bytes per second to bits per second by multiplying by eight.
- Pause other large transfers, cloud synchronisation and video streams before comparing.
- Compare several minutes of sustained transfer, not the first few seconds of a download.
If the converted figure is reasonably close to what your connection normally delivers, the apparent problem may be a display-unit mismatch rather than a faulty download.
Find out whether one launcher or every download is affected
Only one launcher is slow
Start with that provider’s service status, download-region or content-server selection, configured speed cap and security-software interference. A launcher-specific symptom is evidence for a launcher or route problem; it is not proof that your whole internet connection is down.
Several launchers and websites are slow
Test the same PC on another connection if one is available, and compare Wi‑Fi with a wired connection. Pause competing traffic and check whether other devices are saturating the connection. Do not claim a broad outage until the affected provider’s current status information has been checked.
Only Windows updates or Microsoft Store content is slow
Use Microsoft’s Delivery Optimization controls, described later in this guide. Those controls are for Windows updates, Store apps and other Microsoft products; they do not directly configure Steam or Epic downloads.
Test the network without changing several variables
Compare Wi‑Fi with Ethernet
Epic Games Store Support’s troubleshooting list says, “Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.” Connect the PC directly to the network equipment, repeat the same download and compare the sustained rate. If Ethernet is consistently better, inspect wireless signal strength, distance, obstacles and congestion before buying anything. The comparison is a diagnostic test, not a guarantee that a cable alone will increase every download.
Rank #2
- Cat 6 performance at a Cat5e price but with higher bandwidth
- High Performance Cat6, 30 AWG, RJ45 Ethernet Patch Cable provides universal connectivity for LAN network components such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones
- Jadaol cat6 standard cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 250 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors and are made of 100% bare copper wire, ensure minimal noise and interference
- The unique flat cable shape allows for a cleaner and safer installation. You can easily and seamlessly make the cable run along walls, follow edges & corners or even make it completely invisible by sliding it under a carpet.
Epic also recommends trying another internet connection where possible. A phone hotspot or another fixed connection can reveal whether the problem follows the PC and launcher or stays with the original network. Avoid treating a temporary hotspot result as a long-term replacement; mobile data limits and radio conditions differ.
Pause competing traffic
Stop other game updates, cloud backups, large file transfers and high-bandwidth streams while testing. Restart the download only after the competing traffic has stopped, then observe the rate for several minutes. Changing only one condition at a time makes the result interpretable.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
When a wired test is impossible
Move the PC closer to the access point if practical, use a less congested wireless band when your equipment supports one, and repeat the comparison at a different time. These observations help separate radio interference from a launcher or content-server issue without assuming that a new router is required.
Fix Steam downloads that are unexpectedly slow
Try a nearby download region
Steam chooses a download region for content delivery. In the Steam client, open Steam > Settings > Downloads, note the selected Download Region, and try another nearby region. Steam says an alternative nearby region can help when the selected region’s servers are slow or overloaded; choose a geographically close option rather than jumping to a distant country without a reason. Apply the change, restart the download and compare the sustained rate.
Check security and packet-filtering software
Third-party security suites, firewalls and packet-filtering tools can interfere with connections to content servers. Temporarily test with such software configured according to its vendor’s safe troubleshooting guidance; do not leave protection disabled. If the download improves, add the appropriate Steam exception or revert the conflicting rule instead of permanently lowering security.
Rank #3
- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
Clear the download cache only when the symptom warrants it
Steam’s Downloads settings include a download-cache clearing action. Clearing the cache can require you to sign in again and does not increase the capacity of your internet connection, so use it when Steam’s download or update state appears stuck rather than as a routine speed boost.
Recommended Free Tools
Separate downloading from installation problems
If Steam downloads but an update will not install, Steam’s Update & Installation Issues guidance discusses checks such as repairing a library folder and verifying local files. Those actions address installation integrity; they are not substitutes for correcting a slow network path.
Fix Epic Games Launcher downloads that slow down or stop
Remove an Epic download-speed limit
- Open the Epic Games Launcher.
- Open Settings and find the download section.
- Locate Limit Download Speeds and make sure it is unchecked or disabled.
- Restart the launcher, then retry the download.
Epic documents this procedure in How do I turn off download speed limit in Epic Games Launcher?. A configured cap can explain a stable ceiling, but removing it cannot overcome a slow Wi‑Fi link, an overloaded content server or a disk that is busy installing files.
Check Epic service status and the connection
Before changing Windows networking settings, check Epic’s current service status and test Ethernet or another connection. Epic’s slow-download troubleshooting guidance includes these checks because a provider-side incident and a local wireless problem require different fixes.
Use cache, DNS and proxy steps selectively
Epic’s broader troubleshooting sequence includes clearing the launcher or device cache, confirming that required domains are reachable, flushing DNS, trying a public DNS service and disabling proxy servers. Treat these as targeted troubleshooting steps:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #4
- High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
- Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
- Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
- Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
- High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
- Clear the cache when the launcher’s local state appears corrupted or a download repeatedly resumes incorrectly.
- Flush DNS or try another DNS service when domain resolution fails, times out or behaves differently from other connections.
- Check proxy settings when traffic is being routed through a proxy you did not intend to use.
- Confirm required domains are accessible when status pages load but the launcher cannot authenticate or reach content servers.
DNS changes do not increase the physical capacity of your connection, and a public DNS service is not a universal speed fix. Revert a test change if it does not address the observed symptom.
Do not confuse a launcher pause with a failed download
Epic explains why its displayed rate can fall to 0 while the launcher writes and installs already downloaded files. Check the disk activity pattern before cancelling and restarting the job.
Understand a 0 MB/s interval: network transfer versus disk writing
A download is not only network transfer. Launchers may decompress, verify, assemble or install files between network bursts. If the transfer graph repeatedly reaches zero while disk read/write activity remains high, the launcher may be working locally. Epic documents this behavior in Why does my download speed with Epic Games Launcher drop to 0 when I download games?.
What to watch
- Keep the launcher’s download graph visible.
- Open the operating system’s disk-activity view and watch the drive receiving the game.
- Note whether disk reads or writes continue during the 0 MB/s interval.
- Wait for the writing or installation stage to finish before judging the network speed.
If disk activity stops as well and the launcher remains at zero, return to the network, service-status and launcher-limit checks. A zero-rate interval by itself is not proof that the drive is defective, and it is not sufficient evidence to buy an SSD.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Keep Windows Delivery Optimization in the correct scope
Microsoft describes Delivery Optimization as a Windows service for Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps and other Microsoft products. It can obtain content from Microsoft or from other PCs, and Windows provides an activity monitor plus bandwidth controls. See Microsoft’s Delivery Optimization documentation.
Best Value
- High Performance Cat6 Cable - The Cat6 ethernet cables 100ft supports frequencies of up to 500 MHz and high-speed 10GB internet connection for LAN network applications such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones and more, while remaining fully backward compatible with your existing network.
- Outdoor&Indoor Ethernet Cable - The cat 6 ethernet patch cable features 8 solid copper conductors 24 AWG. Each of the 4 unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) are separated by a PE cross insulation to isolates pairs and prevent crosstalk and covered by a 5.8mm PVC jacket with RJ45 connectors and gold-plated contacts. The molded strain relief boots help avoid snags that will damage your cables. They are molded for flexibility and resist common wear and tear.
- Lan Cable with RJ45 - UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors, this cat6 cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 500 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- High Quality Control - are designed with extremely well-matched components for outstanding uniform impedance and very low return loss, providing lower crosstalk, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Each Cat 6 internet cable 6 ft goes through rigorous testing to ensure a secure wired internet connection with exceptional speed and reliability.
- Support – Cat6 Ethernet cable with CM grade PVC jacket complies with TIA/EIA 568-C.2, is ETL verified and RoHS compliant. If an item is defective or breaks within a year, we will issue a replacement. For questions or concerns please contact our friendly, USA-based customer Support team.
When to inspect it
Inspect Delivery Optimization when Windows updates or Store downloads are consuming bandwidth, stalled or subject to a configured limit. Use its activity view to see what content was transferred and whether other PCs were involved, then review the bandwidth settings that apply to automatic Delivery Optimization traffic.
What it does not control
Delivery Optimization is not a universal throttle for third-party launchers. Do not use its settings as a way to configure Steam or Epic downloads. Microsoft also states that the download limits described there apply to automatic Delivery Optimization updates; manually initiated downloads such as Store apps are not governed by those same limits.
Decide whether hardware is actually the bottleneck
A Cat 6 cable is a conditional purchase
If an Ethernet comparison is practical and your PC and network equipment have compatible Ethernet ports, a Cat 6 cable can be a reasonable inexpensive way to perform or retain the wired connection. Buy one only after the wired test shows a meaningful difference or you need a reliable permanent connection. A cable cannot fix an overloaded content server, an Epic speed cap or a disk-writing pause.
Do not default to a new router or SSD
The available support guidance does not establish that a new router, a new SSD or a higher internet tier will fix an unspecified slowdown. A router upgrade makes sense only when testing identifies a wireless coverage, capacity or compatibility problem. An SSD may shorten local installation work in some systems, but a 0 MB/s network display while the disk is actively writing is expected launcher behavior, not proof that an SSD purchase is required.
Use the evidence from the tests
- Ethernet consistently faster: investigate Wi‑Fi conditions; a cable may be the simplest remedy.
- Both paths equally slow in one launcher: check that launcher’s region, limit, status and security interference.
- Disk busy during zero-rate periods: allow installation work to finish before judging transfer performance.
- All services slow on multiple connections: investigate the internet provider or a wider service incident rather than changing one launcher setting.
A repeatable troubleshooting checklist
- Record the displayed unit and convert bytes to bits when comparing with your plan.
- Pause competing transfers and test the same download for several minutes.
- Determine whether the problem affects one launcher, Windows-delivered content or every service.
- Check the affected provider’s service status before assuming a local outage.
- For Steam, try a nearby download region and review security or packet-filtering interference.
- For Epic, disable Limit Download Speeds, restart the launcher and then consider its cache, DNS, proxy and domain-access checks if the symptom fits.
- Compare Wi‑Fi with Ethernet or another connection when practical.
- When the rate reaches zero, inspect disk read/write activity before cancelling the download.
- Use Delivery Optimization controls only for Windows updates, Store apps and other Microsoft products.
- Purchase a cable or upgrade hardware only when a test identifies the specific limitation.
Why there is no guaranteed percentage improvement
Official support pages explain units, settings and diagnostic actions, but they do not provide an independently measured percentage showing how much faster these steps make PC game downloads. Results depend on the service region, server load, route, wireless conditions, other traffic, launcher processing and storage workload. The useful outcome of this process is a narrower cause and a targeted fix, not a promised speed multiplier.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
