While looking for the fixes for any issue you’re facing with Steam, you may have come across the suggestion to clear the download cache. Many users are reluctant to go through with this option, fearing that it will clear their download progress or remove the game from the library altogether. While that may not be true, there are certain changes that you may notice on your Steam account. Let’s take a close look at how you can clear Steam’s download cache and what it does.
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Table of Contents
How to clear Steam’s download cache?
Step 1: Launch the Steam desktop client on your PC.
Step 2: Click on Steam at the top left corner of the screen and select Settings.
Step 3: Select Downloads from the side menu and click on Clear Download Cache.
Step 4: Confirm your selection in the popup box.
I’ve cleared Steam’s download cache. What happens now?
If you’re worried that you will lose all your in-game progress after clearing the download cache on Steam, you can rest easy. This action does not have any effect on the saved progress in any of the gaming titles. However, any unsaved progress will be lost. This is because Steam stores the saved progress in a separate folder while the unsaved progress is stashed in the cached memory.
No changes will be made to your installed games upon clearing the cache. They will remain as is. However, any games in the process of being installed will be cleared. You will have to install them again. Once the download cache is cleared, you will also need to log into the Steam app again.
Clearing the cache boosts the speed of the app by clearing all the files in its temporary memory. Think of it as refreshing the memory on your phone. If you’re facing any trouble with the Steam app, it is likely that one of these temporary files has gone corrupt. Clearing the download cache will flush it out and fix any issues that you are facing with the desktop client.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear the download cache on Steam?
Go to Steam>Settings>Downloads>Clear Download Cache and confirm your selection in the popup box.
What does clearing the download cache on Steam do?
Clearing the download cache on Steam removes all the temporary files downloaded by the app. This will fix the slow download speed or any other functional issues.
Will I lose my installed games after clearing the download cache on Steam?
No, you will not lose your installed games or in-game progress after clearing the download cache on Steam. However, any ongoing installations and unsaved in-game progress will be deleted.
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Conclusion
Typically, it is suggested you clear the download cache on Steam when a game won’t download or an installed title doesn’t start. If this action doesn’t fix the problem you are facing, you can always contact the Steam support staff. It is also advised that you check your internet connection when dealing with incomplete downloads.
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