Solution 1: Clearing your Steam browser cache and cookies
It may be the case where your Steam browser accumulates so much data in its cache and cookies that there isn’t much space left. This can cause it to have unexpected behavior i.e. running slow. As we all know, Steam has a separate browser integrated within the client itself. It is used to view web pages in the client when you click any link or it is used to display heavy advertisements. Follow the steps listed below to clear your Steam browser’s cache and cookies.
Solution 2: Clearing Download cache
It may be the case where your Steam Downloads have excessive download data present in the cache that it is starting to make a problem for you. Whenever you download something on Steam, it accumulates in the Download cache. We can try clearing the download cache and check if it helps in speeding up your Steam client.
Solution 3: Enabling Automatically Detect Settings and Disabling LAN settings
Having a proxy active on your computer can cause Steam to do extra hard work. A proxy induces a tunnel through which your internet data flow. While sometimes it may work, many times Steam produces an error or shows unexplained behavior. We can disable your proxy settings and check if Steam improves its performance or not. First of all, make sure that suspicious search engines are uninstalled and there are no “extra” programs present on your PC.
Method 1: Chrome
Method 2: Through Network Settings
Solution 4: Granting Steam administrative privileges
There may be another problem where Steam might not be having administrative privileges. Steam requires these to ensure that it can function without any obstacles involved. Steam requires a lot of changes to its files and also requires a lot of resources to perform at its best. Some of these tasks require these privileges. To ensure that your client doesn’t get slow because of this, grant Steam and its entire directory administrative privileges.
Solution 5: Repairing Steam
Another thing you can try before refreshing Steam files is to repair Steam using the Run application. The repair Steam option checks for corrupt Steam files and replaces them accordingly. Do note that this process may require administrative privileges. The final command will look something like this: You can replace “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam” by another address if you have Steam installed elsewhere, for example, if you have it installed in local disk E, the command will become E:\Steam\bin\steamservice.exe /repair
Solution 6: Verifying integrity of game files
It may be the case that your game files may be corrupted or may have some missing game files. Because of this, your Steam client might not be working properly. Your library files can also be in the incorrect configuration which may lead to a bugged Steam overlay. Therefore, in this step, we will verify the integrity of the game files.
Solution 7: Disable Unwanted Programs
It might be the case that some third-party applications or even a windows service running in the background might be preventing Steam from being able to utilize the required resources for its proper functioning. If the application is hogging a lot of resources and you notice there is high CPU, GPU, or DISK usage by a particular application on your computer, Steam might be running slow. Therefore, in this step, we will be completely diagnosing and isolating the application that is interfering with the proper functioning of Steam and then we will either disable it permanently or prevent it from being started automatically. For that: Now that we have diagnosed with some third-party applications that might prevent proper functioning, we also have to make sure that there isn’t a lot of resource usage by system applications and services. In order to do that:
Solution 8: Update Device Drivers
In some situations, it is possible that your computer might not have the latest drivers installed which are necessary for the proper functioning of all applications and games on your computer. Therefore, in this step, we will be using Driver Easy to diagnose any corrupted drivers, install missing ones, and update the outdated ones. In order to do that:
Solution 9: Change Power CFG
It is possible that in some cases the issue might be triggered due to the computer not allowing optimal power to the application for proper resource dispensation. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing the Power setting the computer is using to make sure that is not the case. For that:
Solution 10: Testing Compatibility Settings
It is possible that the Steam client might be facing incompatibility issues with some aspects of the operating system that you are using. Therefore, in this step, we will be employing the Windows feature where we should be able to test different compatibility settings with the application. In order to do that:
Solution 11: Changing Priority
This step needs to be altered according to the user’s needs so that you can gain your expected results from this process. There are two types of scenarios that you could be facing if you are going through this post. Either the Steam Client itself is running really slow or the Steam games might be running slow. If the Steam Client itself is running slow on your computer, then as we indicate in the steps below, you should change its priority to High or Realtime. However, if you are facing this issue with Steam games, we would recommend you to change Steam’s priority to Low nad the game’s priority to Realtime. In order to change priorities:
Solution 12: Selecting GPU
Some people might be facing issues with the Steam games due to the graphics card that they are using to process their graphics. If your computer is using an Nvidia GPU and it also contains an integrated GPU, this issue can be triggered. Therefore, in this step, we will be readjusting the Nvidia Client’s settings to prevent the dedicated GPU from being used for games. For that:
Solution 13: Deleting HTML Cache
Some people complained that the issue goes away temporarily when the Web cache is cleared from Steam as we indicated in the first step in this article but it comes back after some time. Therefore, in this step, we will be exploring a permanent solution to this issue by permanently deleting the cached files on our computer and then deleting a folder from steam. For that:
Final solution: Refreshing game files
Now there is nothing left except to reinstall Steam and see if that does the trick. When we refresh your Steam files, we will preserve your downloaded games so you won’t have to download them again. Furthermore, your user data will also be preserved. What refreshing Steam files actually do is delete all the configuration files of the Steam client and then force it to install them again. So if there were any bad files/corrupt files, they will get replaced accordingly. Do note that after this method, you would need to log in again using your credentials. Don’t follow this solution if you don’t have that information at hand. You should also try to repair your steam installation.
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