How To Fix Large Downloads Failing Midway | Download Faster ![]()
Problem: Many users experience large downloads (e.g., 10GB+) failing repeatedly, especially when using browsers like Chrome or Firefox. This usually happens after several gigabytes, causing time and bandwidth loss.
Proven Fixes and Methods
1. Use a Dedicated Download Manager
Tools like JDownloader2 or Free Download Manager handle unstable connections and resume large files effortlessly.
They support multi-threading, resume capabilities, and bandwidth control.
These are ideal for direct links, cloud storage, and stream ripping.
2. Switch to a Better Browser for Large Files
Firefox and Chrome often fail to resume large downloads. Instead, try:
- Microsoft Edge — reports show better handling of long sessions.
- Brave — similar engine to Chrome, but with improved memory handling.
- Aria2 GUI — a lightweight frontend to an advanced downloader.
3. Avoid Browser-Based Downloads for Large Files
Instead of downloading from browser tabs:
- Right-click the link > Copy address, and paste it into a download manager.
- Avoid download interruptions caused by tab crashes, memory leaks, or session timeouts.
4. Use wget or aria2c for Command-Line Reliability
For Linux/macOS/Windows (via WSL or Git Bash):
aria2c -x 16 -s 16 "YOUR_DOWNLOAD_LINK"
Or:
wget -c "YOUR_DOWNLOAD_LINK"
These tools resume broken downloads automatically and split downloads into chunks.
5. Change Power and Sleep Settings
Especially on Windows laptops:
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Set to “High Performance”
- Disable sleep or screen-off timers
This avoids your machine pausing the download process in the background.
6. Disable Browser Extensions Temporarily
Download-interrupting extensions include:
- Adblockers
- Privacy tools
- Script blockers
Try disabling them temporarily when downloading large files.
7. Check Disk Space and Drive Format
Make sure:
- Drive has enough free space
- It’s formatted to NTFS, not FAT32 (which can’t store files over 4GB)
8. Use VPN if Downloads Are Throttled
Some ISPs throttle large file transfers. A reliable VPN can:
- Prevent traffic shaping
- Bypass download restrictions
Trusted options: Mullvad, ProtonVPN, or Windscribe
Bonus Tip: Download from Mirrors or Split Archives
If available, opt for:
- Multi-part downloads (e.g.,
.part1.rar,.part2.rar) - Mirror links from multiple hosts
This avoids depending on a single source connection that may time out.
This method combines browser tweaks, external download tools, system settings, and CLI techniques to ensure maximum download stability for large files. Whether you’re grabbing ISOs, archives, or game files, these strategies eliminate frustrating interruptions.
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