Does your VPN slow you down?

Tips and Tricks VPN 2018-07-25 22:25:48 - by Rachel Lee

A lot of VPN service providers would promise speed and reliability as a basic requirement for choosing the best VPN. But the truth is there are so many factors that could affect the speed of your VPN. While a 10-20% loss in connection speed is considered normal, there are many ways to speed up the encryption process and get a much faster VPN performance by considering the type of protocol you use, security features existing on your device, and the type and location of your server.

While looking for the best VPN for your needs, there are several more variables to take into account in addition to making sure the VPN service provider prioritizes speed and dependability as a minimum need. One of the most important aspects that affect VPN speed is the sort of protocol you choose. OpenVPN is one of the slower protocols, while WireGuard is one of the faster ones.

Always try to think ahead, keeping a backup of your data is never a bad option. Antivirus software and built-in firewalls can commonly slow down your VPN connections, making it more difficult for you to have a great experience. Your VPN speed could be increased by turning off these options or using a device with better technical specifications.

So what can you do?

Check your internet connection

Just to get it off the bat, make sure that your internet connection is not weighing you down. It's crucial to take into account any external elements that can affect your VPN connection speed when improving it. One of the most important elements which can affect your VPN speed is your internet connection, thus it's crucial to check that your internet plan and connection type aren't impeding VPN performance. Your internet package as well as the type of connection you have are impacting your VPN connection directly and it might be limiting you. or example, if you have a slow internet subscription or an inconsistent connection type, it can lead to slower VPN speeds.

It is recommended that you directly connect to a router for more stability as opposed to WIFI, because Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference and signal loss. You can also check your connection speed or status of connection on the internet so you can set your expectations. You may test your connection speed and identify any problems that might be harming your internet connection using a variety of websites and applications that are readily available online. You may position yourself for the optimal VPN performance by taking care of these external elements.

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Check the device you use

While the best VPN services available can be flexible and adaptive to support different devices such as mobile phones or desktops, old-generation devices can be a source of slowness due to their heavy encryption and outdated processors. This could be limiting your VPN performance so the only option here, although quite expensive, is to replace your device with a newer one.

Check the VPN Server Location

The best VPN services should have multiple servers and locations to be able for users to choose their desired server/location. It not only gives consumers options, but it also improves their experience by letting them choose a server that is closest to their actual location, assuring faster speeds and stability. To ensure that you get a faster connection with stability, it is highly recommended to go for the server that is closest to your actual location. You can also do trial and error to discover other locations that might work for your VPN.

Lower latency results in faster connection speeds and better performance, which is one benefit of selecting the server that is closest to your location. Also, it make the chance of packet loss and jitter lower, which can directly affect the quality of your VPN connection.

You can also get around any geo-restrictions put in place by websites or streaming services in specific nations by having access to various server locations. It follows that you can access material that might not be accessible in your area. Check out What is a Proxy Server, and How Does it Work?

Check the Server Bandwidth

The capacity of your server of bandwidth and the number of users connected to it could also impact the speed of your VPN performance. This is the reason why premium VPNs can usually promise faster speed because they really invest in better infrastructure to support your usage. That’s why a free VPN is expected to be slower than paid VPN.

Check firewalls and antivirus software

For many VPN troubleshooting steps, checking firewalls and antivirus is one of the most common things that users should do to ensure that a VPN is working well, and there’s a reason for that. These items can actually obstruct your connection while they are doing their job. While trying to use your VPN, you can always pause the firewall and antivirus software or make your VPN an exception in the settings section.

Final Notes

In order to be sure that your online security and privacy are safe, it is very important to select the correct VPN provider. Although speed and dependability are fundamental criteria for choosing the best VPN, other aspects might impact how quickly your VPN connection operates. You should consider which VPN protocol you choose, the security features on your device, and the kind and location of your server if you want to get a faster VPN performance.

Also, examining your internet connection, the device you use, the location of the VPN server, and the server bandwidth are crucial elements in maximizing your VPN performance. For more stability, it is advised to connect directly to a router, pick a server that is nearest to your actual location, and spend money on a high-end VPN service with stronger infrastructure to accommodate your needs.

As part of the basic troubleshooting, it is also recommended to restart your device as it might address the issue on connection. Check out our services for the best VPN service that can provide both functionality and speed. Best of both worlds.