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While virtual private networks are effective for safeguarding your privacy and bypassing geographic restrictions on streaming content, they come with an inherent drawback: VPNs can significantly decelerate your internet speeds, sometimes by 50% or more.
This is intrinsic to the operation of VPNs, and there’s no feasible way to circumvent it. A VPN secures your online traffic by tunneling it through a server in a different locale. This process shields your browsing activities from your internet service provider and other prying eyes but is also the primary cause of speed reduction. The time consumed to encrypt and decrypt your data, along with the round trip from your device to the VPN server, contributes to this lag. Additionally, factors such as server overload or the chosen VPN protocol can further influence your connection speeds. Nevertheless, there are strategies to maintain optimal speeds while connected to a VPN.
The impact on speed might be negligible for general internet usage when employing a high-speed VPN. However, data-intensive activities like competitive gaming, streaming, or videoconferencing demand every bit of speed you can muster. Even minimal delays can determine the outcome in online gaming. Slow VPN speeds can mar your streaming experience with uninterrupted buffering and low video quality. If you’re utilizing a VPN during a Zoom call, it is crucial to optimize your VPN speeds for a seamless and stable connection.
If your VPN is not performing as swiftly as needed, here are some tactics to accelerate your connection.
Strategies to enhance VPN speeds
Connect to a geographically proximate server
Typically, selecting a VPN server closer to your physical location results in faster connection speeds. The data traverses a shorter distance when routed through a nearby server rather than one on the opposite side of the globe. For instance, if you reside in Boston, your VPN connection will be more rapid when connected to a server in New York City or Montreal than one in Sydney or Tokyo.
This approach may not always be feasible, especially if you wish to access content from a specific country or join a gaming server in a particular location. However, when speed is paramount, experiment with various nearby VPN servers to identify the fastest options. Some VPNs offer built-in speed test features, or you can use an external service like Ookla Speedtest.
If a wide range of server locations is essential, consider NordVPN, which offers servers in 111 countries, guaranteeing proximity options.
Avoid congested servers
Severely populated VPN servers can lead to connection slowdowns due to overcrowding. Some VPN providers display server load information either within their app or on their website, enabling you to select less busy servers for better speeds. If your VPN provider does not provide load data, test multiple servers to identify the fastest option, possibly through trial and error.
Experiment with different VPN protocols
A VPN protocol dictates the communication between your VPN app and server, governing how the secure connection is established. Various protocols offer differing benefits in terms of speed and security. Switching protocols can potentially boost your VPN speed.
- OpenVPN: Currently, the most robust and widely used protocol. It balances speed, stability, and security effectively.
- Advanced Protocols: Modern VPN protocols like WireGuard or proprietary options such as ExpressVPN’s Lightway and NordVPN’s NordLynx claim to offer superior speeds with robust security. However, these have not undergone the same extensive testing as OpenVPN, making them less ideal for critical VPN use.
- UDP vs. TCP: If you prefer OpenVPN, choose UDP over TCP for improved speeds. UDP is faster but less stable, whereas TCP, though reliable, tends to be slower due to its method of data packet delivery.
Most VPN apps allow protocol selection in their settings, facilitating experimentation to determine the optimal configuration for speed.
Activate split tunneling if available
If your VPN provider supports split tunneling, enabling this feature can potentially enhance speeds. This option allows selective routing of traffic through your VPN, while the remaining data travels unencrypted via your standard internet connection. For example, you can stream through the VPN without affecting online gaming speeds, optimizing bandwidth usage for specific activities.
Opt for a wired connection
A wired connection generally outperforms Wi-Fi in terms of speed. Multiple devices sharing the same wireless network can lead to unresponsive connections and slower speeds. If feasible, connect your computer directly to the router via an Ethernet cable and then establish the VPN connection for improved performance.
Close non-essential background applications
Idle applications running in the background can consume resources, slowing down your connection. Review and close any unused background processes to alleviate potential bottlenecks, potentially enhancing your VPN speeds.
Restart your router and devices
Periodically refreshing your computer and router can rejuvenate performance. A simple reboot can clear the system’s memory, allowing it to function optimally. Restart your devices and evaluate the improvements in VPN speeds.
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