FIX: Steam Download Stuck at 0 Bytes

It’s a problem that really bites

Whenever you start downloading or updating a video game on Steam, you can usually expect it to tick along smoothly. You can evenincrease Steam’s download speedto cut down the waiting time. But rarely, you might experience issues where Steam downloads get stuck at a whopping 0 bytes!

So if you just noticed a completely stuck download queue in Steam and can’t figure out why, then working your way through the suggestions and solutions below should help fix that.

Pause & Resume Steam Download

Pausing and resuming a stuck Steam download might be all it takes to get it moving again. To do that, open Steam’sViewmenu and selectDownloads. Follow that by selectingPause. Then, wait for a few seconds and selectResume.

Check Steam’s Disk Usage

If you’re updating a video game, Steam might be making changes to the local files in the background before downloading the next batch of updated data. This can lead to the behavior where Steam downloads stay stuck at 0 bytes. Open theDownloadspage in Steam again and check the speed next toDisk Usage. If it denotes activity (as in, it’s also not stuck at 0 bytes), then that’s likely the case.

If it’s a sizable update for a moderately large game, it’s best to wait it out for at least an hour before moving on to the next fix.

Update the Steam Client

A buggy Steam app can also cause issues. The best way to rule that out is to check for and apply any pending client-side updates. To do that, open theSteammenu and selectCheck for Steam Client Updates.

Restart the Steam Client

Restarting the Steam client is another quick fix that can help. To do that, pause any downloads and selectFile>Exit. You might also want toopen the Task Manager in Windowsand force-quit any stuck Steam processes. Then, re-open Steam and resume the download queue.

Run Steam as Administrator

Running Steam as an administrator is a powerful way to resolve issues that stem from insufficient permissions.

Start by completely exiting Steam. Then, search forSteamon the Start menu and selectRun as Administrator. If that helps, learn how toset up Steam to run as an administrator always.

Verify Integrity of Local Files

Video game updates may also stall due to corrupt or incorrectly modified local files. If you keep seeing Steam’s download speed stuck at 0 bytes, try verifying the integrity of the game installation related to the problem.

To do that, switch to theLibrarytab on the Steam client. Then, right-click the game and selectProperties. Follow by selectingLocal Files>Verify integrity of game files.

Check Your Internet Connection

Try using a speed checking service such asSpeedTest.netorFast.comto ensure that nothing’s wrong with your internet connection. If you notice unusually low speeds, try these fixes:

Change Steam’s Download Region

Living in a region with high Stream traffic can impede downloads or even cause them to get stuck completely. Hence, try picking a different download region.

To do that, open theSteammenu and selectSettings. Follow by switching to theDownloadstab. Then, use the pull-down menu underDownload Regionto change the default region. Ideally, it should be closer to your actual physical location, but feel free to experiment.

Modify Download Settings & Restrictions

You might also want to double-check Steam’s settings to ensure that no restrictions keep interfering with downloads and updates.

Again, open theSteammenu and go toSettings>Downloads. Under theDownload Restrictionssection, make the following quick changes:

Clear the Steam Download Cache

If your Steam downloads continue to remain stuck at 0 bytes, you must clear the download cache for the Steam client. That often gets rid of any obsolete files impeding download progress.

Open theSteammenu and selectSettings>Downloads. Then, selectClear Download Cache>OK. Steam should restart automatically, and you must sign in to it using your Steam user account credentials.

Flush the Steam Configuration

If clearing the download cache didn’t help, you might want to reset the Steam installation. You won’t lose any game-related data, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.

To do that, start by exiting the Steam client. Then, pressWindows+Rto open theRunbox and paste in the following:

steam://flushconfig

SelectOK. Then, re-launch Steam and sign in with your Steam user account credentials.

Flush the DNS (Domain Name Service) Cache

If your computer has anobsolete DNS resolver cache, that could be preventing the Steam client from connecting to any download servers. Deleting it usually helps fix that.

Start by right-clicking theStartbutton. Then, selectWindows PowerShell (Admin)and follow by running the command below:

ipconfig /flushdns

Change DNS Servers for Network Connection

Using a popular DNS service such as Google DNS can also resolve connectivity-related issues on the PC.

Start by heading over toStart>Settings>Network & Internet. Then, pick your internet connection underWi-FiorEthernetand selectEdit.

Follow that by selectingManualunderEdit IP settings. Finally, turn on theIPv4switch and enter the following Google DNS addresses into thePreferred DNSandAlternate DNSfields:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

Disable Connected User Experiences and Telemetry

Microsoft uses a background service called Connected User Experiences and Telemetry to collect data to improve Windows 10. However, it might adversely impact Steam download speeds on your PC, so try disabling it and check if that helps.

To do that, pressWindows+Rto open the Run box and theservices.msccommand.

On the Services app that shows up, right-clickConnected User Experiences and Telemetryand selectProperties.

Next, setStartup typetoDisabled(under theGeneraltab) and selectApply. Follow by restarting your computer.

Add Steam to the Windows Firewall

It’s also best to confirm that you’ve set up Steam as an exception on theWindows Firewall. To do that, open the Windows Security app and selectFirewall & network protection>Allow an app through the firewall. Then, make sure to check the box next toSteam, as well as both boxes under thePrivateandPubliccolumns.

If you can’t locate Steam within the Windows Firewall, select theAllow another app buttonand pickSteam.exefrom the following folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\

Also, if you use a third-party anti-malware solution, double-check that Steam is set up as an exception by visiting its configuration pane. Or, disable your antivirus module for the duration of the Steam download or update.

Reset Network Settings in Windows

If none of the fixes above helped, you must reset the network settings in Windows. That might very well fix any corrupt network-related problems causing Steam downloads to get stuck at 0 bytes.

To do that, open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Network & Internet>Status>Network reset. Follow that by selectingReset now.

For more network-related troubleshooting, check out this guide toresetting the network settings in Windows 10.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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