When I used a VPN, these tips helped me get faster internet
Slow internet is one of life’s little frustrations. Unfortunately, a bad VPN can make things worse. While you may want your internet activity to be more private and secure, you probably don’t want to see a drop in speed. Luckily for you, there are actually a few things you can do. While there are a number of factors that can cause a slow VPN connection, there are also a number of techniques you can use to boost it. And that’s exactly what you’ll learn in this article. Read on to learn how to boost your internet speed with a VPN.
It is becoming increasingly common to use VPN services to bypass restrictions or simply to add a layer of security and privacy to your internet browsing. There are many really good VPN services nowadays, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, PrivadoVPN, or CyberGhost, among many others. They all have pretty much the same features, although some are faster than others in certain circumstances. If you notice that your VPN is slow, today we will give you some tips to speed it up.
Change VPN server location
The closer the server is, the lower the latency, resulting in a faster connection. If you notice that your connection is slow, try connecting to a server that is closer to your physical location. This can make a big difference, especially if the original server is located in a different country. Additionally, if you don’t need to connect to a server in a specific location, always choose a server that is close by. Not only does this improve speed, it can also reduce the chance of disconnection.
It is very important if you are using a VPN to protect your privacy and security that you always choose a server that is located as close to you as possible. However, if you want to avoid blocking or regional restrictions, you will need to connect to the country you actually need to.
Set VPN protocol
VPNs use different security protocols to encrypt your connection, and some are faster than others. For example, wireGuard is one of the fastest protocols available today. If your VPN service offers this option, it is recommended that you use it to maximize speed. Other protocols, such as OpenVPN or IKEv2, are considered reliable but are generally slower. If your VPN is set to a slower protocol, try changing it to a faster one. This can be easily done in the VPN app settings.
Not all services support this protocol, but most do, so carefully check which services support it and which don't, so you can employ the one that does. The truth is that you will notice the faster speed of WireGuard compared to others.
Restart your router and device.
Sometimes, restarting your router or device can improve your VPN speed. Routers are designed to stay on all the time; however, the firmware isn’t perfect, so it’s possible for them to start slowing down as the days go by.
To fix this issue, what you can do is restart your device. You can also restart the device you are using with the VPN, as it clears the memory and fixes minor software issues that may affect the speed.
Disable programs that consume a lot of resources.
Some apps on your device may be consuming a lot of bandwidth or system resources, which can slow down your VPN. Programs like antivirus, automatic updates, or streaming apps can interfere with your connection speed. Try closing these apps while using your VPN to see if performance improves.
Apps that consume a lot of bandwidth are the first ones you should close if you don't want to have problems, especially if you have an app that automatically uploads photos on your smartphone, since if we took a lot of photos in the last few hours, you will have to upload them to the cloud.
Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.
While Wi-Fi is very convenient, it doesn’t always provide the best speed and stability. Wireless connections can be affected by interference and the distance between the router and your device. If possible, connect your device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. This will reduce latency and improve your VPN speed. A wired Ethernet connection will always be faster than a wireless connection and always more stable, so keep that in mind.
Logically, if we are talking about connecting a mobile phone or tablet, then although there are ways to connect it via cable by purchasing an Ethernet to USB-C adapter, it is more convenient to connect to a wireless network.
Change server or VPN service
If you’ve tried all of the above methods and are still experiencing slow connections, it may be time to change your VPN server or even your VPN provider. Some servers can become overloaded, especially if the service is very popular. Switching to a less crowded server or a provider with better resources may solve the problem.
As a rule, VPN servers are not saturated, although it is possible that on certain dates there will be more clients connected at the same time, and therefore we will experience a temporary drop in speed.