Here we can see, “Slow VPN Connection on Windows? Here’s How to Speed It Up”
- A VPN can protect your data, but it may come at the expense of performance.
- If you’re having trouble connecting to a VPN, try changing the server or protocol.
- There are several reasons why a VPN on your Windows PC may be extremely slow.
- Check out our tutorial to find out how to keep these slowdowns to a bare minimum.
VPNs appear to have quickly progressed from optional tools to a need for most users. However, it might be challenging to select one that can supply you with a reliable service at a decent pace with so many options.
Unfortunately, using a VPN service will almost surely slow down your connection. There are, however, ways to accelerate things up with Windows 10, and we’ve included them below.
How to make a VPN connection on Windows run faster
1. Switch to a different VPN
No matter how hard you try to speed up a VPN connection, the number of servers available and your distance from them can sometimes limit you. As a result, it’s critical to select a VPN with a presence in various countries and multiple servers in each of them.
2. Check the connection for issues
We need you to confirm that VPN is actually the cause of your sluggish connection. Disable VPN altogether and see any speed changes. If your bandwidth is still slow, try some of the following actions and see if anything changes:
- Instead of using Wi-Fi, use a cable connection.
- Restart your modem and/or router if necessary.
- Update the firmware on your router.
- Use a VPN for each device separately.
By visiting Speedtest, you can quickly ascertain your current download/upload speeds (as well as latency). Make sure to perform the Speedtest both with and without the VPN to see how much speed you lose.
3. Experiment with different servers
When it comes to VPN, you’ll need to examine servers if you want to address sluggish bandwidth or terrible latency. The server’s location influences the latency. The speed will be slower the further the server is from your geo-location. Because the data package must travel further, your bandwidth will be significantly reduced, and latency will reach catastrophic levels.
The latter will undoubtedly impact your online gaming experience; thus we recommend that you stick with the nearest server available. Your latency will be lowered if you choose a closer server, so you can speed up your VPN connection if you don’t need to connect to a specific region.
Because switching between servers is relatively simple, you can use it in conjunction with Speedtest to determine which server is most suited for your present needs. If you’re playing online games, stick with the closest one to you.
4. Examine your antivirus and firewall software
VPN can be disrupted by antivirus software (which has its own firewall) and even the Windows Firewall. The former scans data packets and connects you to a secure network. Because the repeated scans will slow the VPN service’s overall performance, this can impact VPN speeds.
Some advocates are temporarily disabling antivirus, but we believe it is best to create an exception and go from there. This post will show you how to do it.
Furthermore, the Windows native Firewall can permanently block VPN, so make sure to add a VPN exemption to the firewall. If you’re unsure how to proceed, refer to the directions below:
- Type Allow app in the Windows Search box and click Allow an app via Windows Firewall.
- Change the settings by clicking on it.
- Select Allow another app.
- Look in Program Files for VPN and add the EXE file.
- Activate the Add button.
- Allow both the public and private networks to communicate with the VPN.
- To confirm the changes, click OK.
5. Lower the encryption level
For many VPN users, encryption is a critical component. You can encrypt and decrypt every data you send and receive using it. VPN encryptions, on the other hand, have an inversely proportionate effect.
The better (more robust) the encryption, the slower the connection. Some of the most secure protocols can slow down connections by up to ten times.
This isn’t a rule, but it’s how it works most of the time. So, depending on how much security you require for your activities and preferences, you can switch to a less secure encryption technology that has a smaller impact on connection speeds.
While we do not recommend it, you may be able to speed up your VPN connection by doing so.
This is the order of encryption/decryption techniques in terms of speed:
- PPTP is the quickest, but it’s an old security standard.
- L2TP/IPSec is a sluggish protocol with above-average security.
- High security and above-average speeds using OpenVPN. This is most likely the best protocol to employ.
- SSTP is a slower version of PPTP, yet it is faster than the rest. The protocol is mediocre.
You can test each one separately and make your own decision. Also, as previously indicated, it is dependent on your personal interests and activities. You don’t need advanced encryption technology to evade geo-restrictions. On the other hand, encryption is strongly recommended for the bulk of operations.
6. Make a plan upgrade
In this post, we’ve previously discussed the key differences between paid (premium) VPN services and those that are available for free. The bulk of VPN services offers premium speeds at premium prices, which is understandable.
So, if you’re serious about using a VPN service and all of its perks, you’ll almost always have to pay for it. There’s a good chance that VPN providers limit your speeds to force you to upgrade to a paid plan, which appears to be a successful business strategy.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide useful. If you’ve got any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the shape below.
User Questions:
1. Why is my VPN connection on my computer so slow?
Examine your antivirus and firewall software.
VPN can be disrupted by antivirus software (which has its own firewall) and even the Windows Firewall. The former scans data packets and connects you to a secure network. Because the VPN service’s overall performance will be slowed by the repeated scans, this can have an impact on VPN speeds.
2. Is VPN causing your laptop to slow down?
It certainly does. Your Internet speed may be affected by the encryption procedure, the distance to the server, and the VPN protocol your VPN use.
3. Why does Cisco VPN cause the internet to slow down?
Before connecting to a VPN, the data packet will have to travel over much greater distances in order to move at a faster rate. As a result, the connection speed will be severely slowed.
4. What fixed slow speeds on Windows 10 : r/nordvpn – Reddit
5. How to troubleshoot slow VPN? What next? : r/sysadmin – Reddit
