Watch the video:

0:00 - Explanation
0:31 - Content Servers Unreachable error
1:01 - Restart Steam
1:23 - Change Steam download server region
2:15 - Other Steam download settings
2:36 - Why change DNS servers
3:00 - Change DNS servers on Windows 11
3:47 - Change DNS servers on Windows 10
4:30 - Flush DNS after changing
5:00 - Improving an unstable connection
5:10 - Try a VPN

The issue

If you’re experiencing the “Content Servers Unreachable” error on Steam, it can be a frustrating issue that prevents you from downloading games or updates. This error can happen due to an unstable internet connection or in certain regions, and it may randomly disappear. This guide will cover a few fixes and workarounds to help you resolve this issue.

Restart Steam

The first fix is to close Steam completely, then reopen it from your start bar or shortcut and start your downloads again. This is the simplest fix and will save your download progress. However, if you’re downloading a large game on a slow connection, this may not be a viable solution.

Download region

Another solution is to change your download region in Steam. To do this, click “Steam” in the top left, then “Settings” and head to the “Downloads” tab. Under “Download Region,” select the closest location to you from the dropdown menu. If the closest location is not working well, you may want to try a nearby country.

DNS

If these solutions don’t work, you may want to check your DNS servers. Some internet service providers (ISPs) use their own DNS servers to speed things up, but these servers can be outdated and may not respond promptly. You can change your DNS servers to more reliable ones to improve your connection.

Set it to a popular provider like Google’s DNS:

8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.1.1 (Their backup server)

or Cloudflare’s (which I find a little faster):

1.1.1.1

Changing DNS Servers on Windows 10

1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Windows button and typing “Control Panel” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Network and Sharing Center”
3. Click on the “Change adapter settings” link on the left side of the window.
4. Right-click on the network adapter that you’re currently using (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select “Properties”.
5. In the new window, scroll down and double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
6. In the new window, you will see “Obtain DNS server address automatically” selected by default, change this to “Use the following DNS server addresses”
7. Enter the DNS server addresses that you want to use (ex: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google’s DNS servers)
8. Click “OK” to save the changes.
9. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Note: Some devices may have different steps to change DNS servers, it is recommended to check the device manual or do a quick search to find the specific steps for your device.

Changing DNS Servers on Windows 11

1. Right-click on the network icon in the taskbar and click on “Open Network & Internet settings”
2. In the new window, click on “Change adapter options”
3. Right-click on the network adapter that you’re currently using (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select “Properties”
4. In the new window, scroll down and double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
5. In the new window, you will see “Obtain DNS server address automatically” selected by default, change this to “Use the following DNS server addresses”
6. Enter the DNS server addresses that you want to use (ex: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google’s DNS servers)
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.
8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Note: Some devices may have different steps to change DNS servers, it is recommended to check the device manual or do a quick search to find the specific steps for your device.

Flush DNS

Flushing DNS is the process of clearing the DNS cache on your computer. The DNS (Domain Name System) cache is a temporary database that stores information about recently visited websites, such as their IP addresses. Over time, the cache may become outdated or corrupted, leading to issues such as being unable to access certain websites or network resources. By flushing the DNS cache, you are effectively wiping this temporary database, and forcing your computer to fetch new DNS information from the DNS server. This can help resolve issues related to DNS, such as website connectivity or resolving host names. Additionally, it can also improve the internet browsing speed as the information is fetched from the source rather than from the cache.

1. Open the Command Prompt by clicking on the Windows button and typing “cmd” in the search bar.
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and select “Run as administrator”
3. In the Command Prompt, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.
4. You should see a message that says “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

This process will clear the DNS cache on your Windows computer and can help resolve issues related to DNS, such as connecting to a website or network resource.

Other solutions

Beyond these solutions, there may be other factors that can cause the “Content Servers Unreachable” error, such as a limited bandwidth or time set on your connection. It’s also worth checking if your downloads are running while you’re playing games and to resume them once you launch a game.

It’s worth noting that this error may be caused by an overloaded Steam server, which may resolve itself over time. But hopefully, this guide will help you fix the issue and get back to downloading your games.