How To Fix Slow Download Speed for Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) On Steam

Are you experiencing slow download speeds for BG3 on Steam? Here are some tips on how to fix it.
Astarion and Lae'zel from Baldur's Gate 3 having a conversation
Image: Larian Studios

You know the feeling. Your heart races as the much-awaited release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally here, but instead of fighting mind flayers, you’re battling with a download speed that’s slower than a snail riding a tortoise. It’s a bummer, right? Before you hurl your PC out of the window in frustration, hang on a sec. I’ve been there. The frustration holds no bounds. But even when the bottleneck isn’t at your end, there are still a few tips and tricks that you can try to fix the slow download speed and bring your adventure to life faster. So, let’s get into it.

Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Increase Download Speed

The download speed for Baldur’s Gate 3 largely hinges on Steam’s servers, and sometimes, they are as overloaded as a goblin carrying a dragon’s hoard as BG3 is already broken its all-time player peak. It’s not your fault, nor your computer’s, but you’re not entirely powerless either. A great resource to use is  Downdetector, which shows you if other users are experiencing issues with Steam.

One tidbit I discovered during my many download battles was changing my download region in Steam settings. Some regions might have fewer users clogging up the bandwidth with their own BG3 downloads. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

  1. Load up Steam.
  2. Head over to Steam tab in the top left of Steam.
  3. Choose Settings.
  4. Select Downloads.
  5. Change your Download Region.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Level Cap: What is the Maximum Level in Full Release?

While this doesn’t guarantee a super-fast download, it might be worth attempting. So go ahead, experiment with different regions, and who knows? You might hit the jackpot. But remember, like any good adventure, this one requires patience. Good things – and epic games – come to those who wait.

Why Is My Baldur’s Gate 3 Download So Slow?

Ever wondered why your Baldur’s Gate 3 download is crawling slower than a snail in molasses? You’re not alone in this; countless people will be facing this issue. BG3 has been one of the most eagerly anticipated RPGs ever. We gamers have been biting our nails, awaiting its release like a party waiting for their cleric to finally cast that healing spell.

The issue here is not your internet connection (though I did try blaming mine, to no avail). It’s a simple case of demand outpacing supply. The moment Larian Studios released BG3, millions of gamers across the globe flocked to the servers, all trying to download the game at once. This massive simultaneous demand has inevitably slowed things down.

And remember when we hoped to preload the game? Yeah, that didn’t work out. Steam has this quirk with Early Access titles, and as such, Larian Studios couldn’t allow preloading. This resulted in all of us trying to download the game simultaneously, instead of a staggered download.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Tiefling Subraces – Asmodeus, Mephistopheles, Zariel

So here we are, waiting, hoping, and praying to the gods of download speed. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Steam bestows upon us the boon of faster downloads soon. In the meantime, patience is our greatest ally, fellow gamers. It’ll be worth it, I promise.

So, there you have it. Battling slow download speed for Baldur’s Gate 3 can feel like taking on a Red Dragon with a rusty dagger, but fear not. While the issue largely rests with the overwhelmed Steam servers, you can try a few tricks to give your download speed a little nudge. Changing your download region might just be the workaround you need. Just remember, patience is as crucial as a well-timed spell in this scenario.

  • Slow download speed for BG3 is primarily due to overloaded Steam servers.
  • Changing your download region in Steam settings might help speed things up.
  • Patience is crucial as there is no quick fix to this issue. Your epic adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3 awaits!
Mark Carpenter

Mark Carpenter

Mark Carpenter is the Managing Editor at Try Hard Guides, and main guide writer. With over five years of experience in games media, including almost three years as an Assigning Editor for Pro Game Guides, and before that a Staff Writer.

His writing and game guide work has also been featured on platforms such as Metro UK and Game Rant, along with other smaller publications. He has been a devoted gamer since the days of Amiga, with a journey spanning roughly 31 years.

Mark's future goals are to grow the Try Hard Guides network as much as possible while helping gamers everywhere with gaming guide content. When not immersed in gaming, Mark enjoys delving into the worlds of D&D (Dungeons & Dragons), strumming his guitar, and indulging in a good read. His heart belongs to RPGs, the Final Fantasy series, and The Legend of Zelda. Moreover, he has a keen affection for dogs.

Contact: mark@tryhardguides.com

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