How to Speed Up Your Game Downloads (Without Upgrading Your PC)

Speeding up game downloads does not always require new hardware. Many slowdowns come from settings, network behavior, or platform limits rather than the power of your computer. With a few smart adjustments, you can greatly improve download speeds using the same device and the same internet connection.

Pause Other Internet Activity

When multiple devices share your connection, download speed drops.

Things that slow your downloads
• Streaming platforms like YouTube or Netflix
• Large cloud backups
• Other devices downloading updates
• Online meetings
• Smartphones running background sync

What you can do
• Pause streaming on other devices
• Turn off auto-update on phones temporarily
• Ask others on your network to pause downloads
• Stop cloud sync (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud)

Connect with Wired Ethernet Instead of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi speed depends on distance, walls, and interference. Ethernet gives a stable, clean connection.

Benefits of Ethernet
• Faster, steadier speeds
• No signal drops
• Lower latency
• No interference from other devices

If you must use Wi-Fi
• Move closer to the router
• Remove obstacles
• Avoid microwaves and Bluetooth devices
• Switch to the 5 GHz band for faster speeds

Limit Background Apps on Your Computer

Some programs quietly use your bandwidth or CPU while you download.

Background apps to close
• Web browsers with many tabs
• Game launchers (EA, Ubisoft, Epic) updating in the background
• Cloud storage apps syncing files
• VPN software
• Windows Update running silently

Quick improvement trick
On Windows, open Task Manager → check “Network” column → close any app using bandwidth.

Change Your Download Server Region

Many game platforms allow choosing a different download server. The nearest server is not always the fastest—sometimes it’s overloaded.

Platforms with server options
• Steam
• Epic Games Store
• Battle.net
• Some MMO launchers

Try this
• Choose a nearby but less crowded region
• Avoid servers marked as “busy”
• Test different regions during high-traffic times

Avoid Peak Hours

Your neighborhood may share bandwidth, especially at night when people download large files.

Faster download time slots
• Early morning
• Midday on weekdays
• Late at night after midnight

Even a slight shift in timing can double your download speed.

Temporarily Disable Your VPN

VPNs slow down downloads because traffic passes through extra servers. Some VPNs throttle speed.

If you need a VPN
• Switch to a faster server location
• Use a VPN built for speed, not privacy
• Enable “Split Tunneling” to exclude game launchers

If you don’t need it, turn it off for the download period.

Restart Your Router

Routers accumulate cache and temporary errors. Restarting clears these issues.

When to restart
• If downloads are extremely slow
• If Wi-Fi drops often
• If the router hasn’t been restarted in weeks

How to do it properly
• Turn off
• Wait 10–20 seconds
• Turn back on
• Wait for full reboot

Check Your Cable Quality

Old or damaged cables reduce connection quality.

Check these
• Ethernet cable type (Cat5 can limit speeds; Cat6 is better)
• Loose connectors
• Worn insulation
• Cheap powerline adapters

Even replacing an old cable can significantly increase speed.

Use the Fastest Platform Settings

Some game launchers have built-in download optimizers.

Steam

• Enable “Allow downloads during gameplay”
• Disable download limits
• Clear download cache if speeds drop

Epic Games Launcher

• Turn off throttling in “Settings → Downloads”
• Close other Epic windows

Battle.net

• Increase download speed limit under “Game Install/Update”
• Turn off streaming mode

Prioritize Game Downloads on Your Network

Some routers support Quality of Service (QoS), which lets you give download priority to a device.

How this helps
• Your PC gets more bandwidth
• Other devices get less
• Prevents video streaming from slowing download

You can find QoS under your router’s advanced settings.

Stop Other Devices from Competing

Even smart TVs, printers, or idle laptops may exchange background data.

Devices that might quietly use internet
• Smart doorbells
• Smart speakers
• Game consoles updating in the background
• Tablets syncing photos
• Automated software updates

Turn these off or disconnect temporarily.

Clear Outdated DNS Settings

Sometimes old DNS records cause slow connections to game servers.

Fix
• Use DNS providers like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8)
• Flush your DNS cache on Windows:

• Search “cmd”
• Type: ipconfig /flushdns
• Press Enter

This makes your system connect to servers more efficiently.

Turn Off Metered Connection Settings

Windows may limit download speed to save data if it believes your connection is “metered.”

Check this
• Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → Properties
• Turn off “Metered connection”

This alone can increase download speed instantly.

Close Game Launchers You Don’t Need

Launchers often run updates in the background.

Examples
• Steam
• Epic Games
• EA App
• Ubisoft Connect
• Riot Launcher
• Battle.net

Keep only the launcher you’re downloading from open.