Why Does It Seem Like Some Steam Games Patch So Slowly?

Note: This article contains AI-generated content.

(Created with assistance from ChatGPT.)

Have you ever sat down, eager to dive into a game, only to be stuck waiting for what feels like an eternity as Steam updates it? You're not alone. Gamers around the world often ask, "Why does it seem like some Steam games patch so slowly?" The answer is more complex than you'd think—ranging from technical limitations and Steam settings to regional server issues and even game-specific design quirks.

Let’s explore all the reasons behind sluggish Steam updates—and how you can speed things up.

Understanding the Steam Patch Process

What Happens During a Game Update?

When Steam patches a game, it’s not simply downloading new files. Instead, the platform typically identifies which parts of your game need updating, downloads only those pieces (if delta patching is supported), and then carefully rebuilds the updated files on your system.

This includes:

Downloading data chunks

Decompressing files

Replacing or appending content

Revalidating file integrity

It’s a surprisingly CPU and disk-intensive operation.

Difference Between Patching and Downloading

Downloading is just fetching data from a server, but patching is the entire process of applying that data. So, even if your download finishes quickly, patching could take much longer due to decompression and disk writes—especially if you’re on a traditional HDD.

Factors Affecting Patch Speeds on Steam

Steam Server Load and Throttling

Steam uses a content delivery network (CDN) distributed across the globe. When traffic is high—like during major game releases or sales—these servers can get overwhelmed, causing throttled download speeds and delays.

Your Internet Speed and Connection Type

If you're on a slower broadband connection or using Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet, patching can appear slower. Even if Steam is downloading fast, Wi-Fi interference can lead to unstable file transfers.

Hard Drive Speed and Storage Type

This is a huge one. SSDs handle file writes significantly faster than HDDs. Steam needs to write, move, and rewrite files during patching. On HDDs, these operations are much slower, especially if the drive is fragmented.

Game-Specific Patch Behavior

Large File Sizes and Asset Rewrites

Games like Call of Duty or ARK: Survival Evolved are notorious for patching entire gigabytes of assets, even if the change was minor. That's due to how they’re built—if one asset changes, the whole package may need replacing.

Delta Patching vs. Full File Replacement

Delta patching updates only the changed parts of a file. However, not all developers use this method. Games that force full file replacement will always patch slower.

Poor Optimization by Developers

Some developers don’t properly segment game files. Instead of splitting them into modular chunks, they rely on monolithic files, which leads to longer patch times and larger downloads.

Steam Settings That Impact Update Speeds

Download Restrictions and Throttle Settings

Steam allows you to limit download speeds manually. If you’ve set a low cap, it’ll crawl. Navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads to check.

Bandwidth Limits in Steam

Steam may automatically throttle your bandwidth during high usage hours unless otherwise specified in your settings.

Background Downloads and Game Running

Steam slows downloads if a game is running in the background—this helps prevent game lag. But it also means patches will take longer if you forget to exit your games.

Regional Issues and Server Location

Auto-Selection of Content Servers

Steam automatically picks a server based on your geographic location. Sometimes, those local servers are under high load or misconfigured.

Changing Your Download Region for Better Performance

Go to Settings > Downloads > Download Region. Try switching to a nearby country. You might get faster and more reliable speeds.

How File Systems Affect Steam Patching

Fragmentation on HDDs

Heavily fragmented drives slow down Steam’s ability to patch games. Defragmenting your HDD can make a noticeable difference.

NTFS vs. exFAT and Other File Systems

NTFS is Steam’s preferred format. Using other file systems like exFAT or FAT32 may cause slow patching or even file corruption.

Windows and System-Level Interference

Antivirus and Firewall Interruption

Antivirus programs often scan files during patching. This can drastically reduce speeds. Temporarily disabling real-time protection (carefully) can help.

Windows Defender Real-Time Scanning

Windows Defender is notorious for slowing down file operations. Consider adding Steam to its exclusion list.

Common Myths About Steam Patch Speeds

"Steam Is Always the Problem"

Not always. Often, it’s your hardware or ISP throttling your speeds. Steam’s infrastructure is usually reliable.

"Only My Game Updates Slowly"

Steam can treat each game differently depending on the dev’s update structure. So yes, some games patch faster than others—by design.

How to Speed Up Slow Steam Game Patches

Pause and Resume Updates

This can force Steam to re-prioritize download routes and possibly pick faster servers.

Clear Steam Download Cache

Go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache. This fixes corrupted downloads and stalled patches.

Use SSDs Instead of HDDs

Move your Steam library to an SSD if possible. You’ll see a huge improvement in patching speed.

Prioritize Steam in Task Manager

Set Steam to “High Priority” in Task Manager during patching. It might help allocate more resources.

Troubleshooting Tools and Logs

Checking Steam Logs for Errors

Steam keeps logs in its logs folder. Check content_log.txt for errors that might point to patching issues.

Using Network Monitors

Apps like NetLimiter or Resource Monitor can show whether Steam is actively downloading and where bottlenecks occur.

Comparing Steam Patch Speeds to Other Platforms

Steam vs. Epic Games Launcher

Epic often downloads entire game files rather than patches, leading to faster but larger updates.

Steam vs. Battle.net and Origin

Battle.net uses delta patching more effectively for games like Overwatch or Diablo, resulting in smoother updates.

Real-World User Experiences and Anecdotes

Community Discussions and Reddit Threads

Reddit threads are filled with users facing similar patch speed issues. Solutions vary from switching servers to disabling overlays.

Developer Insights and Responses

Some devs explain on forums why patches are large—usually due to engine constraints or mandatory certification.

When to Contact Steam Support

Signs of a Real Technical Issue

Patches that never finish

Crashes after updating

Game fails to launch post-patch

How to Properly Report It

Submit logs and detailed descriptions via Steam Support. They're slow but helpful with repeatable issues.

Preventive Measures for Future Updates

Keeping Games on SSDs

If you play a game often, install it on an SSD. It improves loading and update speeds.

Scheduling Updates at Off-Peak Hours

Use Steam’s scheduled auto-updates feature to let it patch games while you sleep—when servers are less congested.

Steam's Future Plans to Improve Updates

New Update Technologies in Development

Valve is rumored to be working on smarter delta patching and bandwidth optimization.

Steam's Track Record on Performance

Historically, Valve has continually improved patch performance—just not uniformly across all games.

FAQs About Steam Game Patch Speeds

1. Why is patching slower than downloading?

Because it involves decompressing and rewriting files, not just downloading them.

2. Does my drive type affect patch speed?

Yes, SSDs are far quicker than HDDs for patching.

3. Can I prioritize one game to patch faster?

Yes. Pause all others and ensure the one you want is active.

4. Will reinstalling Steam help?

Rarely. Try clearing the cache and checking for drive issues first.

5. Are Steam servers to blame?

Sometimes—especially during big releases—but not always.

6. Is there a way to avoid slow updates entirely?

Keep games up-to-date automatically during off-hours and use SSDs.

Conclusion

So, why does it seem like some Steam games patch so slowly? It’s often a mix of game design, hardware limitations, Steam’s update system, and your own internet setup. But now you know the truth—and the fixes. With a few changes, you can spend less time waiting and more time playing.