Steam is a popular platform that allows its members to download PC games straight to their computers. This is a convenient way of getting new and old PC games as you don’t have to go to a physical store and look for the game. Although this is a solid platform there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Steam download stopping issue.
How To Fix Steam Download Stopping Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from an interference from a third party application to an outdated network driver. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix the problem.
Close other applications
There are certain applications that can interfere with the way Steam works such as CCLeaner and even a running torrent app, especially if it is downloading a huge file. You should open the task manager then check what apps are running then end its task. Once this is done try to check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Check your computer date and time
One of the factors that can cause this problem is an incorrect computer date and time. If your computer has an incorrect time then this will conflict with the time that is registered on the Steam server which will then lead to this problem.
- Type “Control Panel” on the search bar and from the search results, open the Control Panel.
- From the list of categories, choose “Date and time”.
- From the three tabs, choose “Internet Time” and click on “Change Settings”.
- Check the dialogue box which says “Synchronize with Internet time server”. Click on Update now. Click on OK after the time is updated successfully and restart Steam.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
One factor that can cause this problem is an outdated network driver so it’s best to make sure that your computer is using the latest network driver.
- Type “Control Panel” on the search bar and from the search results, open the Control Panel.
- From the list of options, select Device Manager.
- A window will come up consisting of devices which are registered to your PC. They range from devices as simple as USB devices to Processors. Select Network Adapters from the list.
- You will see a list of network adapters installed in your computer. If there is a wireless adapter and a LAN installed then you can update both easily.
- Double click on the selected adapter
- Select the Driver tab and click on Update Driver. You will be given two options i.e. Update automatically or Update manually from the package you downloaded from the official hardware’s website. You can use any one of the options for the update. Do this procedure for all network adapters installed in your computer.
- Restart your computer.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Limit your bandwidth
There are instances when the disk write speed can’t cope up with the fast download speed which is why this problem can occur. To fix this you will need to lower the download bandwidth of Steam.
- Open your Steam client. Make sure to choose the option “Run as Administrator” when launching.
- On the top left corner click “Steam” and select Settings.
- Go to the downloads tab. Here you will see a drop down window saying “Limit bandwidth to”.
- When you click it, a drop down window will pop up. Here you will find a number of speeds available to limit. Always choose accordingly to your internet speed provided to you by your ISP.
- Close Steam and relaunch.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Try to disable the antivirus program
Sometimes, an overly aggressive antivirus program can cause Steam to stop downloading. Try to disable your antivirus to check if this is what’s causing the problem.
Avast
- Right-click on the avast! icon in the system tray. Select avast! shields control and there will be options to disable avast for 10 minutes, 1 hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently.
Bitdefender
- Double click on the system icon for Bit Defender.
- When the Bit Defender window appears, move the mouse arrow to the left side and click >> Virus Shield.
- Move mouse arrow to the black check by Virus Shield is enabled and click.
- The black works will change to red, >> Virus Shield is disabled.
- Move mouse arrow to the top right corner and click the down arrows.
- Bit Defender is now inactive.
- To enable Bit Defender, do the same steps except click to enable.
Microsoft Security Essentials
- Right-click on the MSE icon in the system tray and choose Open.
- Click the Settings tab, then click Real Time Protection.
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on real time protection”.
- Click the “Save changes” button.
- Exit MSE when done.
ESET
- Double click on the system tray icon to open the main application window.
- Or via Start >> All Programs >> ESET >> ESET Smart Security.
- Click Setup >> Antivirus and antispyware >> Temporarily disable Antivirus and antispyware protection.
- When prompted to confirm temporarily disable select Yes.
- Note: Protection will be automatically started after a system reboot.
McAfee
- Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for the McAfee icon.
- Right-click it -> chose “Exit.”
- A popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on “Yes” to disable the Antivirus guard.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Make sure .NET Framework is installed properly
- Type “Control Panel” on the search bar and from the search results, open the Control Panel.
- Click on Programs and Features.
- At the left most side, you will find an option which says “Turn Windows Features on and off”. Click on it.
- On the top, you will find .NET framework. If you notice it will be already checked but if you expand it, the two folders inside will be unchecked. Check both of them, save your changes and exit. Launch Steam using administrator privileges.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Stop the CDPUserSvc_3e1f2 process
This process has been known to interfere with the way Steam downloads files.
- Go to Start Menu and click on the Power button located on the bottom left pane.
- While pressing the Shift key on the keyboard, click on the Restart option using the left mouse button. It would interrupt the normal start of PC by displaying a list of options to select from. Select Troubleshoot from the options and it would take you to the next screen.
- On the next screen, click on the Advanced Options highlighted in the image below.
- Inside the Advanced options screen, select the Startup Settings and restart your PC using the button below.
- After the PC is rebooted, you will find a number of options to select from a list using F1 – F9 function keys. If you want to boot the computer into Safe Mode, press the F4, F5 or F6 function keys depending on your requirements. Now, your PC will boot in Safe Mode.
- Go to Start Menu and click on the Power button located on the bottom left pane.
- While pressing the Shift key on the keyboard, click on the Restart option using the left mouse button. It would interrupt the normal start of PC by displaying a list of options to select from. Select Troubleshoot from the options and it would take you to the next screen.
- On the next screen, click on the Advanced Options highlighted in the image below.
- Inside the Advanced options screen, select the Startup Settings and restart your PC using the button below.
- After the PC is rebooted, you will find a number of options to select from a list using F1 – F9 function keys. If you want to boot the computer into Safe Mode, press the F4, F5 or F6 function keys depending on your requirements. Now, your PC will boot in Safe Mode.
- Open Steam and try downloading/updating the game again. If it downloading smoothly, exit safe mode and after returning to the normal one, click the Windows button.
- Type “Control Panel” on the search bar and from the search results, open the Control Panel.
- Select Administrative Tools from the list of options.
- Click on Services
- ere you find a service named “CDPUserSvc_3e1f2”. Stop it from the options you get after double clicking on it. After stopping it, click properties and choose startup type to “manual”.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Clear the HTML cache
- Exit Steam client.
- Press the Win + R button. This should pop-up the Run
- Type in the dialogue box “control’’. This should bring up the control panel in front of you.
- In the control panel, search for “Folder Options” in the dialogue box located in the upper right corner.
- Click the “Folder Options” which returned in the search. Then click the “View” tab and here you will check a line which says “Show Hidden files, folders and drives”. Mark it, apply the changes and close the window.
- Once again pressWin + R button. This should pop-up the Run application.
- In the dialogue box write “C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Steam\htmlcache’’. Here the <Username> is your windows account username.
- Once you are in the cache folder, select all the items and delete them.
- After you are done with the deletion, press Win + R button again to bring up the Run application.
- In the dialogue box type “steam://flushconfig”.
- After you press “Ok”, a window will pop up to confirm your action. Please note that after clearing the cache, Steam will prompt you to re-login using your credentials. Only perform this action if you have your Steam username and password at hand.
- Launch Steam using the client
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
Reinstall Steam
In case the above steps fails to fix the problem then you should consider reinstalling Steam.
- Launch your Task Manager by pressing ⊞ Win + R button. This should pop-up the Run application.
- In the dialogue box write “taskmgr”. This should open up the task manager.
- End all Steam related processes starting from the process ‘Steam Client BootStrapper’.
- Press Win + R button. In the dialogue box write “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”.
- Locate the following files and folders: Steamapps Folder (This is where all your games are located), Userdata Folder (This is where the progress of your games is saved), Skins Folder (This is where your steam skins are located), Steam.exe Application (This is the launcher for Steam), Ssfn files There may be more than one and each one may have a number in front of it (Keep it so you don’t have to wait 7 days for trade cooldown).
- Delete all the other files except the ones mentioned above and launch steam from the launcher. Steam will download some files and update itself. After completing the installation, it will prompt you to enter your credentials.
Check if the Steam download stopping issue still occurs.
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