How to know if a VPN server is stable Run these tests when connected
Having a VPN can be essential in many cases. You may need a program of this type to access web pages that may be geo-blocked, improve your security when connecting to public networks, or simply hide your IP address when browsing. There are many options and one of the main factors is choosing a good server to connect your device to. We will talk you through some of the tests you can consider.
The goal is to ensure that the connection is optimal and there are no interruptions. If you connect to the wrong server, you may experience significant performance issues. This will impact the usability of the connection and you may have difficulty browsing properly, streaming content, or downloading.
- Test VPN server
If you use a good VPN , you will usually have several servers that you will be able to connect to. They will be located in different countries, so choosing one or the other can be crucial. In general, the best solution is to connect your device to a VPN server located in a neighboring country. For example, if you are in Morocco, it would be better to connect to a server close to the country such as Spain, France, or Germany than to connect to a server located in Japan or the United States.
- Run a speed test
The first and simplest thing is to run a speed test. This is what we always do when we suspect that our internet connection is not working well. This gives us an interesting idea about whether there is something wrong with this server or, on the contrary, we are connected to a server that is working properly.
Keep in mind that when using a VPN, your internet speed will always slow down to some extent. Now, this shouldn’t mean a very large drop in speed and a very limited connection. You can always test and connect to different servers until you find the one that works best.
- See also access time.
But it’s not just the internet speed that matters, but also the connection test (ping) or latency. Another test you can do when connecting to a VPN server is to see if it has a very high response time. As in the previous case, it will always be superior to what you would get if you browsed directly to the internet, without VPN apps of this type, but ideally there shouldn’t be a big difference.
Latency (ping) is important if you are going to be playing online or making a video call. If the ping is too high, everything will take longer to arrive and you will have problems establishing a proper connection or participating in a game in an online video game.
- Actual use
Of course, you should also check the actual usage of the VPN. If you are going to use it to watch streaming content that may be restricted, a very good test is to watch that content and see if it works well. You may have to choose a different server to connect to in order for it to work better.
You can do the same if you are going to use the cloud to download files, browse web pages, etc. Basically, it tests how the connection will respond to the regular use you will be doing with your device. It is important to use a security software, such as CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN.
In short, choosing a good server to connect your VPN to is important. You may have a wide range of options, so it’s a good idea to run some basic tests and see if everything works well. Analyzing speed, latency, or real-world usage will be key.