Are you having trouble on your Steam account loading games, mods, or accessing other features? If yes then you can clear the Steam download cache to make the app run faster and more efficiently. But what happens if I Clear Steam download cache?
When you clear your Steam download cache then it will delete the duplicate files that are filling out your device storage. It will also eliminate the minor internal bugs that are slowing down Steam as well as games on it.
But you need to be careful while deleting Steam cache data because it will also remove other files from your account. So, today you will learn about how do I clear my Steam download cache and does clearing the Steam cache affects games, features, and other things or not.
Table of Contents
What is Steam Download Cache?
Steam is used for purchasing and downloading games that you can later play on your PC. When you keep downloading games on Steam then it will store the duplicate files and data of download into the server. Those duplicate files and data are called ‘Steam Download Cache.’
The cache helps to load the app faster by recalling the existing data rather than using a new one. When you continue using the same download feature over and over again for games then it will speed up the process.
But, having way too many cache files on your Steam is not a good thing if didn’t clear it from time to time. It will slow down your Steam account and other features as well.
Why Do You need to Clear Steam Download Cache?
Steam users have to clear their download cache from time to time to prevent any bugs and patches from occurring in the system. When Steam cache software stores multiple temporary data into the system then it will automatically generate bugs out from it.
Those auto-generated bugs will affect your account which leads to slow download speed on Steam, your download will freeze and won’t continue, the Steam app will run slow and won’t load any features of it, and Steam voice chat not working and overall Steam not working issues.
So, basically clearing the Steam cache is equivalent to running an app from the clean state just like downloading for the first time. However, in the case of download, it will only clean the downloading features of Steam.
What Happens If I Clear Steam Download Cache?
Steam always stores a cache in your account that is of downloads, features, voice chat, game mods, chat history, Steam voice changer, and more. When you clear the Steam download cache then it will eliminate the temporarily duplicate files from your system.
Clearing the Steam cache will also terminate bugs and glitches from your account. Your Steam account will load much faster than before and you won’t see other internal issues in your account. So, if Steam not working or loading or freezes then you can clear the cache.
Similarly, deleting the Steam download cache also removes all the ongoing downloads from your account. If you are downloading games into your Steam then the clearing cache will also remove it completely. So, you better not delete and cancel the Steam cache if you are downloading games.
Moreover, if you download mods for games on your Steam then they will be also considered as cache. So, deleting the Steam download cache will also terminate all mods which you’ve downloaded on your Steam.
What to Do Before Clearing Steam Download Cache?
There are a few things that you have to do before clearing the Steam download cache. Just like said earlier, when you delete cache then it will wipe out every download that you have done previously. So, you have to backup the downloads if you don’t want to lose them after clearing the cache.
1. Backup Mods and Games Data
When you download mods for games on Steam then they will be considered as downloads. Even though you’ve completed downloading mods they will still be available in the downloads folder of Steam. So, if you clear the downloads cache then you will also lose all of your mods.
Therefore, move your downloaded mods into different locations before clearing the Steam cache.
2. Complete Your Game Download
You don’t have to continue downloading games and clearing the cache at the same time. If you delete the Steam cache at first then it will also terminate the current download. So, you will lose everything when you are downloading games for the past 4 hrs.
This is why I recommended clearing the Steam download cache file and then only starting your download from the beginning. Or you can let finish your download and then remove the cache.
How to Clear Steam Download Cache to Load App Faster?
You can run your Steam account a lot faster and smoother when you clear the cache. If Steam not working or freezing or closing automatically or won’t download games then you have to delete the cache of your account.
So, follow the following process to clear steam cache manually in computers and mobile phones.
Clear Steam Download Cache on Windows 10 PC
Steam is officially available for Windows PC you can download the desktop version of the app or simply access your account from the website of Steam on PC. So, here are the 7 steps to clear the Steam cache on PC and laptop.
- Launch your Steam desktop app.
- Log in to your Steam account using your username and password.
- Now, you have to click on the “Steam” option which you can find in the top left corner of the display.
- There, you have to select the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu.
- Next, click on the “Downloads” tab from the left side menu.
- Now, locate and click on the “Clear Download Cache” button on the bottom side.
- Finally, tap on the “Ok” button to confirm the action.
Once the cache is cleared then you have to restart your Steam account or app to see the changes. It would be better if you log out and log in to your Steam after deleting cache files.
Clear Steam Download Cache on Mac
Mac users can also use the Steam app on their MacOS without trouble. The fact that MacOS is not developed for gaming but still some users play PC games on Apple OS using a ‘Boot Camp’. So, if you are using Steam on your macOS then here are the 6 steps to clear Steam cache files on macOS or Apple OS.
- Launch the Steam on your Mac.
- Now, click on the “Steam” option from the upper left corner of the macOS.
- Next, choose the “Preferences” option from the list.
- After that, you have to choose the “Downloads” option on the left sidebar.
- Now, click on the “Clear Download Cache” option from the bottom side.
- There, confirm it by clicking on the “Ok” button.
Clear Steam Download Cache on iPhone and Android
There is a mobile version of the Steam app which you can find on your Android and iPhone devices. But you will get limited features only such as participating in the Steam community, chatting with your friends, browsing community accounts or groups, reading the latest gaming news, and more.
So, you can’t delete the Steam download cache because you can’t download and play games on the mobile version of Steam unless you use their official website via browser. But you can clear the Steam cache on your mobile if you can’t talk with your friends anymore.
- Go to your device settings.
- After that, locate and open the “Apps” and “Manage Apps” options.
- Now, search for the “Steam” application from the list.
- Next, go to the bottom and then tap on the “Clear Data” button.
- Thereafter, select the “Clear Cache” option.
For iPhone users, you have to delete the Steam application from your device if you want to clear the cache.
Does Clearing Steam Download Cache Delete Progress?
Yes, when your game downloads is still on progress and you clear the download cache at that time then it will terminate the downloads. You can’t clear cache and download at the same time on your Steam account.
If you are downloading games then first complete it and then only go after removing cache files. When you do two things at the same time then you will lose all your downloading games and mods from your account.
How Can I Get Steam Games to Download Faster?
Steam will slow down the speed of the download process for various reasons such as bandwidth limit, traffic, Wi-Fi connection, download location, bugs, cache, and more. But here are a few methods that you can do to increase Steam download speed on PC and macOS.
- Cancel Unwanted running tasks in your background.
- Set a high-speed limit for Steam down from your Task Manager.
- Change your Steam download region.
- Check your Steam bandwidth limit.
- Turn off Windows Firewall and Antivirus.
- Disable VPN on your PC.
- Improve your internet connection.
- Switch to Ethernet connection over Wi-Fi.
- Disconnect other devices from your internet.
Why is Steam Clear Download Cache Not Working?
When you click on the “Clear Download Cache” button then it will immediately delete your Steam cache files and data. But for some reason, you may find difficulty removing cache from your Steam account.
So, here are the reasons that prevent you from terminating your Steam app cache on PC and mobile.
- Slow internet connection.
- Windows firewall and antivirus.
- Bug in the Steam application.
- Corrupted Steam app.
- Poor connectivity.
- You’ve downloaded on progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does Clear Download Cache Do on Steam?
When you clear cache on Steam then it will terminate bugs, and glitches and improve the speed of the app.
Does Uninstalling Steam Delete Games?
Yes, when you uninstall Steam then it will also delete games from your PC.
Does Clearing Steam Download Cache Cancel Downloads?
Yes, when you clear the Steam download cache then it will also cancel your ongoing downloads.
Why is Steam Downloading So Slow?
Your Steam download is slow because of poor internet connection, low bandwidth, changes in region, and cache.
Where to Find Steam Download Cache Location?
To find the Steam download cache location go to steam> settings> downloads> clear download cache.
Why Is My Steam Download So Slow But My Internet Is Fast?
If you have high-speed internet but the Steam download is slow then clear Steam app cache files.
Final Word
Now, you have found your answer regarding ‘what happens if I clear Steam download cache’? in this article. So, complete any downloads in your Steam and then clear cache for fast running Steam and better performance than before.
For how long you’ve been using Steam?
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