This is just one of the many download issues on Steam, but it is one of the most annoying. To fix this issue, we devised a series of solutions listed below.

Why are my Steam downloads fluctuating?

Below are some of the reasons your Steam download goes on and off:

Slow internet: Sometimes, your Steam download might be cutting in and out because your internet connection is slow. The solution here is to restart your connection and probably change to a better one. Firewall interference: Some users have found that Steam is downloading intermittently in bursts because the Windows Defender Firewall is interfering with the process. The way out of this is to allow Steam to run through your firewall. Issues with download region: Sometimes, this issue is caused by your download region. This seems weird, but users have been able to get past it by changing their download region to a faraway location.

What can I do if the Steam download goes on and off?

Before moving to the fixes in this section, try the following prerequisite checks:

Use the wired instead of wireless connection on your PC. Reboot your router/modem and the PC. Disable VPN and proxy services temporarily.

If these do not solve the problem, you can proceed to the fixes below.

1. Change the download region

The download region has surprisingly been the major reason the Steam download goes on and off. Users have been able to fix it by switching to faraway and weird regions. Seoul in Korea and Frankfurt in Germany are the two most used regions. So, you can try them too.

2. Limit the download bandwidth

Some users have found joy in fixing this issue by throttling their downloads and limiting the bandwidth. This is because the automatic setting can be why the Steam download goes on and off when your network fluctuates. SPONSORED Hence, setting it to a fixed value should fix the issue. Some of the values used by users include 25MB/S and 14MB/S. But you can use reduce it to any value depending on your bandwidth.

3. Disable DiagTrack

The DiagTrack service is a Windows process that collects data on functional issues. For some reason, it has been found to be the cause of the Steam download going on and off issue. Disabling it has fixed the issue for many users.

4. Allow Steam to run through Windows Firewall

If the solutions above fail to fix the Steam download goes on and off issue, your firewall might be blocking the connection. In this case, you need to whitelist Steam to restore normalcy. That’s about it for this issue. We hope that at least one of our solutions can help you fix your fluctuating Steam download. In the same vein, if your Steam download is slow, check our detailed guide to speed it up. Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

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