Disk Download Dilemmas | Users Frustrated by Steam Update Slowdowns
Edited By
Marcus Chen
A series of complaints has emerged from gamers facing frustrating slowdowns when downloading game updates through Steam. Specifically, players noted issues when attempting to install updates on one hard disk while the software redirects downloads to a slower external drive, sparking dissatisfaction and confusion among the community.
Technical Trouble
Gamers have recently reported that Steam fails to channel updates to the drive where the game is installed. One user described their experience:
"Steam is writing to an external HDD connected through USB, which is much slower. I ended up canceling the update to fix the issue."
The apparent cause of the slowdown appears tied to Steam selecting a drive with more free space, a decision that can hinder speed.
Community Insights
Feedback has erupted on forums, with similar complaints surfacing about various games. One player detailed their struggle with a patch:
"I'm having this problem with the BG3 patch too. The game is on an SSD, but it still uses my HDD and I can only think it's because it has the most free space."
This highlights a broader concern where Steam prioritizes available space over download speed.
Other players reported varying disk usage situations. They have hypothesized that when the patch size is relatively large, Steam may reroute downloads to alternative drives that can accommodate the data more effectively.
Patterns in Responses
Several consistent themes arose from user feedback:
Steam redirects updates to drives with more free space, not necessarily the fastest options.
Many gamers express frustration, especially when high-speed installations are hindered by external drives.
Users are seeking solutions to force Steam to prioritize specific drives for updates.
Interestingly, one reader offered a practical workaround. After removing an external library, they achieved faster installation speeds:
"I canceled the update, removed the library, and now it's back to running smoothly."
Key Takeaways
🔄 Steam may choose slower external drives for updates if they have more free space.
⚙️ Users are actively seeking methods to manage download preferences.
💬 Frustration is a common sentiment, with many echoing similar problems.
For gamers reliant on quick updates, addressing download source preferences could be crucial for maintaining performance. How can Steam improve this process for all its users?