FAQ How do I limit how many torrents download at once?

[Silas Mariusz]

Symptoms

• Many torrents download at the same time and share the speed.
• You want new downloads to wait until earlier ones finish.

Cause
Without a limit, every started torrent downloads at once. The limit is experimental: Max active downloads (experimental). It appears only in Developer mode and carries a Not recommended badge. Queued downloads wait even while running ones barely move, so a few slow torrents can hold up the rest. With Developer mode off, the limit has no effect, whatever number is set.


Resolution

1. Open Settings and turn on Advanced at the top.
2. Open Settings → Advanced and, under Panel, turn on Developer mode.
   
   
3. Open Settings → Bandwidth & limits. Under Slots and memory, Max active downloads (experimental) appears. Type how many torrents may download at once. 0 means no limit.
   
   
4. Press Review & save and confirm the changes in the window that opens. The limit applies without a restart.

Notice & Advise

• Downloads over the limit show queued in Quick access. A queued download starts by itself when another download finishes, stops or is removed, and immediately when you raise the number or turn Developer mode off.
• Seeding torrents never wait and do not count.
• Turning Developer mode off also turns auto-tuning off and starts every queued download.

Ref. links:
Rtorrent 16 guide: Torrents
Rtorrent 16 guide: Auto-tuning