To make games download faster on your PC, you need to address the most common bottlenecks: a congested network, misconfigured launcher settings, and hardware limitations. The fastest path to better speeds involves switching to a wired Ethernet connection, closing bandwidth-hungry background apps, and optimizing your game launcher’s download settings.
Switch to a wired connection to make games download faster
Ethernet provides a dedicated, stable connection to your router, free from the interference that slows Wi-Fi. This single change often delivers the most dramatic improvement when you want to make games download faster. Connect your PC directly to one of the router’s LAN ports using a standard Ethernet cable. Your operating system will automatically detect the wired connection; you can then disable Wi-Fi in your network settings to ensure the PC prioritizes the cable.
Close bandwidth-hogging background programs
Background applications consume your internet bandwidth and system resources, directly competing with your game download. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then sort processes by network usage. Identify and end any network-heavy programs, such as streaming services, cloud sync clients, or video call software, that are not essential. Also disable unnecessary startup programs in Task Manager’s Startup tab to prevent them from running automatically.
Pause other downloads and streaming on your network
Every active download or stream on your home network eats into your total available bandwidth. Check your web browser for any running downloads and pause them. On other devices, phones, tablets, smart TVs, stop any streaming or large file transfers. Also open your game launcher (Steam, Epic Games, Xbox App) and pause any automatic updates for other games. This frees the maximum amount of bandwidth for your current download.
Change your DNS servers for faster routing
Your default DNS server may be slow or inefficient, adding latency to every connection. Switching to a faster DNS can improve how quickly your PC reaches download servers. Open your network adapter’s IPv4 properties in Windows Settings. Replace the existing DNS addresses with Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). Apply the changes and restart your launcher to see if speeds improve.
Update network drivers, Windows, and game launchers
Outdated network drivers, an old Windows build, or an unpatched game launcher can introduce bugs that throttle download speeds. Check for network driver updates through your PC manufacturer’s website or Windows Device Manager. Install all pending Windows updates via Settings > Windows Update. Finally, ensure your game launchers, Steam, Epic Games, Xbox App, are running their latest versions, as updates often include performance fixes for downloads.
Optimize Steam download settings
Steam includes several settings that can cap your download speed. Open Steam > Settings > Downloads. Uncheck the option to “Limit bandwidth to” so no artificial cap is applied. Set your download region to the server geographically closest to you. Under “Automatic Game Updates,” select “Only update this game when I launch it” to prevent background updates from consuming bandwidth.
Configure Windows Delivery Optimization for Xbox and Microsoft Store games
The Xbox App and Microsoft Store on PC use Windows Delivery Optimization, which can limit download speeds. Navigate to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. Under “Download settings,” ensure that both “Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background” and “Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the foreground” are unchecked or set to 100% (Absolute bandwidth). Turn off “Allow downloads from other PCs” to prevent your system from sharing bandwidth with other devices.
Free up disk space for smoother write speeds
When your hard drive is nearly full, write speeds can drop dramatically, creating a bottleneck during large downloads. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility to delete temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin. Uninstall programs you no longer use. If you have a second drive, consider moving large files such as videos or backups to that drive to keep your primary game drive as free as possible.
Test your internet speed and contact your ISP
Before assuming the problem is on your end, confirm you are receiving the speeds you pay for. Run a speed test using a reputable online tool while no other devices are actively using the network. If the result is significantly lower than your plan’s advertised speed, restart your router and test again. If speeds remain low, contact your internet service provider to investigate possible throttling or line issues. This step also applies if you are trying to make PlayStation download faster, make your PS5 games download faster, or make games download faster on Xbox series s, the same network fundamentals apply.
