How to Solve Steam Running Slow?

The Steam running slow error is the most frequent and general issue that a lot of Steam users have experienced. A majority of Steam users are having a concern when downloading games on the system. When Steam runs slow, the download speed of the Steam games deteriorates. Moreover, sometimes the Steam users cannot download anything at all! You may encounter this annoying error due to a number of reasons.

If you too are stuck with this error and wondering how to fix Steam running slow 2017 issue, then, don’t fret. Pat your back as you have dropped in the right page. Here, in this informative post, we are going to present some of the easiest tips and tricks to resolve the Steam app running slow error. After applying the fixes mentioned herein, you should be able to resolve the issue by yourself. Hence, you are advised to go through the write-up thoroughly to learn more.

What Causes the Steam Running Slow Error?

Generally, it is very tough to determine any particular reason behind the Steam application running sluggish and slow. There may be plenty of issues on different Operating System responsible for the situation. And different users face this issue while installing different games. But still, there are some common factors that may be the causes of this issue. Hence, take a glance at the prominent causes listed below.

1. This issue may arise because of the bad internet connection of the system.
2. The corrupt and damaged drivers of the system may be the reason for this error.
3. In case, your system gets affected by malware and virus, then it can also be the reason behind showing this issue.
4. This issue may arise because of the minor technical bugs of the system.

Now, you are aware of the possible causes for the Steam running slow error. Thus, match the above points along with your current situation and identify the specific cause behind this general issue. Now, you just need the technical hacks to eradicate this issue.

Easy and Effective Methods to Fix the Steam Running Slow Issue

There are several methods to resolve this error, some of which are given below. All the fixes mentioned here are tested and tried and can assist you to eradicate this error within a flicker of time.

Methods 1: Removing your Steam Browser Cookies and Cache

You may confront this annoying issue whenever your Steam browser gathers so much data in its cookies and cache that there is not enough space left. Therefore, in order to fix this annoying error, you need to clear the cache and cookies of the Steam browser. Hence, go through the actions listed in the following section to clear your Steam browser’s cookies and cache.

1. At first, you need to launch the Steam client by right-clicking on it. Now, select the Run as administrator option.
2. Next, tap on the Steam tab. You will get this option at the top left panel of the window. Tap on the Settings option from the drop-down menu.
3. Next, navigate to the Web browser tab under the Settings option. You can get this option on the left side panel of the window. This Web browser tab option will be the second last option on the left panel.
4. Once in the web browser options, you will get two options. The buttons are Delete Web Browser Cache and Delete Web Browser Cookies. Tap on both the options one by one and let the Steam browser do the task.
5. Now, you will get an on-screen prompt which asks for confirmation of your decision. Next, hit the Ok button to proceed further. After clearing both the Cookies and Cache, tap on the Ok button to save the changes that you have made and then exit.
6. Once all the above steps are complete, you need to restart Steam by using the Task Manager.

Finally, check if the issue is resolved or not. In case, if the issue still persists, then you need to move to the next solution.

Method 2: Clearing Download Cache

Sometimes, it may be the case where your Steam Downloads have redundant download data present in the cache and thus it starts malfunctioning on the system. Whenever you download something on the Steam, it generally stores them in the Download cache. Therefore, by clearing the download cache of the Steam, you can easily fix this issue. Hence, follow the steps given below and check if it helps in speeding up your Steam client.

1. You need to right-click on the Steam client to launch. Now, hit the Run as administrator option.
2. Once in the client, tap on the Steam tab. You can get this option at the top left panel of the window. Tap on the Settings option from the drop-down menu.
3. Next, navigate to the Downloads tab, once in the Settings option. You can get this option at the left side panel of the screen.
4. After that, here you will see an option named Clear Download Cache present at the Near option of the window. Tap on it. Next, Steam will ask you to verify your choice. Now, tap on the Ok button.
5. This process may take some time to complete, thus, you need to wait until the entire process completes. After that, save the changes that you have made and exit the Steam client.  
6. Once all the above steps are complete, you need to restart Steam by using the Task Manager.  
7. Lastly, verify if your issue got resolved.

In case, you are noticing this error notification despite using this method, move on to the next fix.

Method 3: Enabling Automatically Detect Settings and Disabling LAN Settings

In order to fix this issue, you need to disable the proxy settings and check if Steam improves its performance or not. To do it, follow these steps:

1. On Google Chrome

The steps are as follows:

1. At first, you need to open the Google Chrome web browser. Tap on the Chrome menu. You will get this option on the top right corner of the Chrome window.
2. When the drop-down menu shows up, tap on the Settings option. Once the settings page opens, type ‘proxy’ in the search settings bar which is present on the top.
3. Now, tap on the ‘open proxy settings’ option from the search results.
4. Navigate to the Connections tab.
5. Now, tap on the ‘LAN Settings’ under the Connections tab. You will get this option at the bottom of the screen.  
6. Next, check the box next to ‘Automatically detect settings’. Now, uncheck the box next to ‘Use a proxy server for your LAN (Local Area Network)’. At last, save the changes that you have made and then exit.
7. After completing these steps, restart Steam by using the Task Manager.  
8. At last, verify if your issue gets resolved.

2. Through the Settings of the Network

The steps are as follows:

1. Press down the Windows logo key + R key together on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘inetcpl.cpl’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key.
3. Now, the Properties of the internet will open. Navigate to the Connections tab and tap on the LAN settings option.
4. Whenever in the LAN settings, check the box which states ‘Automatically detect settings’.
5. Now, uncheck the box which states ‘Use a proxy server for your LAN (Local Area Network)’. At last, save the changes that you have made and exit to re-launch the client.
6. After completing these steps, restart Steam by using the Task Manager.  
7. At last, check if your issue gets resolved.

Method 4: Repairing Steam

This is another thing that you must try to repair the Steam using the Run application. Additionally, the repair Steam option verifies for damaged files of the Steam and replaces them accordingly. You need to keep a note that this entire troubleshooting process may need administrative privileges.

1. Press down the Windows logo key + R key together on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write the address of your Steam directory, accompanied by ‘bin’, then the ‘exe’ and lastly followed by a space and a ‘/repair’.
3. The final command will look something like this: ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe /repair’
4. You can replace the “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam” with other address. For example, if you have Steam installed in E: local disk, then the entire command will display E:\Steam\bin\steamservice.exe /repair.
5. When you run the program on the system, automatically it will launch a command prompt and begin repairing process.
6. Do not assassinate the process till it exits itself. Moreover, you may detect blank in the command prompt. However, don’t bother, it is common.
7. Once all the above steps are complete, start Steam and verify that the client started accurately or not.   

Method 5: Verifying Integrity of Game Files

This issue may arise because of the corrupted or damaged game files or it may be the case that your game files may have some of the files missing. Thus, in order to fix this issue, you need to check the integrity of the game files. To do so, follow the steps below.

1. At first, open the Steam client and tap on the Library option which is present at the top corner of the screen. Here, you will get a list of all the installed games on the device. Choose the game in which Steam overlay fails to initiate.
2. Now, right-click on the game which is showing up the error notification and choose the Properties option.
3. Browse to the Local files tab in the Properties menu. Tap on the Verify Integrity of Game Files option in the Local files tab.  
4. Once you tap on the option, Steam will start checking all the files present as per the foremost manifest it has. If there is any file damaged or missing, then it will automatically download those files again and replace it subsequently.
5. Now, you need to navigate to Settings by choosing the Settings option after tapping on Steam. You can get this option in the bottom left corner of the window. Open the Downloads tab, once in the Settings. You will see this option present on the left side panel of the interface.
6. Here, you will find a box named ‘Steam Library Folders’. Tap on it.
7. All your Steam content data will be listed. Tap on it and choose ‘Repair Library Files’ option.
8. After completing all these steps, restart Steam by using the Task Manager.  
9. At last, verify if your issue got resolved and if Steam is working normally or not.  

Method 6: Verify the Network Connection Status

The Steam application may be running sluggish because your network connection is not accomplishing correctly. To verify the network connection status:

1. You need to ensure that the system is correctly attached to the internet. Verify the cable of the internet to make sure that it is properly connected with the system.   
2. Restart the network devices including your modem or router and the system, to check if this fixes the issue for you.
3. Alternatively, you can contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to ask for advice, in case you are having any problems with the network connection.  

Summing it Up

In this guide, we have enlisted some of the easiest and effective methods to eradicate the ‘Steam application running slow’ error. We hope if you implement the above hacks in their respective order, it will surely help you to put an end to this technical glitch. Therefore, try the methods and see which one is giving you the ultimate solution in no time. After successfully executing the above fixes, if you still face any kind of issues, then it is advised to connect with the tech professionals.