Steam running slow / Steam games lagging [Complete Fix]

It’s a little surprising that software with minimal system requirements can become slow and unresponsive. Nevertheless, some Steam users have still fixed the issue with some of the resolutions below.

What can I do if my Steam client is slow?

1. Use IObit Advaced System Care
2. Clear Steam’s Web Browser Cache and Cookies
3. Clear the Download Cache
4. Adjust Proxy Settings
5. Repair Steam

1. Use IObit Advanced System Care

Chances are that your operating system just needs a general fresh up in terms of disk cleaning, space management and system optimization.

For a start, you can use a dedicated system optimization tool such as IObit Advanced System Care. It’s intuitive and even free to use for basic system clean-up.

Of course, there’s also a premium version, that includes defragmentation option, deep clean feature to prevent system crash and RAM cleaning process to free up memory space.

However, if Steam is good to go after a simple scanning and optimization, you’re lucky!

IObit Advanced System Care

Efficient system optimization to fix not just Steam slowdown, but basically any system glitches.

2. Clear Steam’s web browser cache and cookies

1. First, open the Steam client software.
2. Click Steam and select Settings to open a Settings window.
3. Then click Web Browser on that window.
4. Press the Delete Web Browser Cache button.
5. Click OK to confirm.
6. Press the Delete All Browser Cookies button.
7. Select the OK option to provide further confirmation.
8. Thereafter, click OK on the Settings window.

The accumulation of Steam browser data is one factor behind Steam running slow. The game client software includes its own integrated browser with which users can browse the Steam store.

Lots of Steam users have confirmed that clearing the software’s web browser cache and cookies fixes the issue.

3. Clear the download cache

1. Open Steam by right-clicking its icon and selecting Run as administrator.
   
2. Click Steam at the top of the window to expand that menu.
3. Select Settings to open further options.
4. Click Downloads on the left of the Settings window
5. Press the Clear Download Cache button.
6. A confirmation window will open. Click OK on that window to confirm.
7. Select OK on the Settings window.
8. Restart Steam after clearing the downloads cache.

Excessive download data can also bog down Steam. So, clearing Steam’s download cache might also boost the software.

4. Adjust proxy settings

1. Press the Windows key + Q hotkey.
2. Input the keyword internet settings in the search box.
   
3. Click Internet Options to open the window shown directly below.
   
4. Select the Connections tab.
   
5. Click the LAN settings button to open the window below.
   
6. Deselect the Automatically detect settings check box.
7. Press the OK button.

Some users have confirmed that deselecting the Automatically detect proxy option fixed the slow Steam client for them.

Note that deselecting Automatically detect settings might also disconnect you if you’re using an automatic proxy server configuration. you’ll have to leave the Automatically detect settings option enabled for the Steam browser.