How to overcome slow internet speeds using a VPN
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Whether you’re dealing with sluggish downloads, Zoom call interruptions or laggy gaming sessions, a slow internet connection is highly annoying. Things can get even worse if you’re using an (unreliable) VPN.
The good news is that there are simple ways to speed up your internet, both generally and when using a VPN.
First, let’s look at the reasons why your internet speed can be slow.
Reasons for slow internet speed
Virus/malware: If your device has viruses or malware, they can take up your internet bandwidth without you even realising it. So scan your computer every day, with one of the many reliable antivirus programs available online.
Number of connected users: Although most wireless routers can handle around 250 connected devices, the performance tends to decline even when it’s only several new devices joining and using the same network. Especially when they are used for something traffic-intensive, such as streaming, gaming or uploading files.
Device/website accessibility: Even well-known websites and platforms can have their own bad days. So, if your Facebook account is loading slowly while other websites seem fine, the issue might not be with your internet speed, but the platform.
Also, some devices or websites may not be optimised for fast Internet speeds. It could be because of outdated hardware or poorly designed websites that take longer to load.
Router or modem issues: If your router or modem is old, damaged or improperly configured, it can cause a sluggish connection.
ISP limitations: Your internet service provider (ISP) may impose certain limitations on your connection speed based on your subscription plan. If you have a lower-tier plan, it means they have put a cap on how fast your Internet can go.
They can also throttle your connection — that is, slow it down on purpose — even if your plan doesn’t have any caps.
Using a VPN: VPNs can sometimes slow down your internet speed. That’s because the VPN encrypts your data and sends it through different servers, which can take some extra time.
Yet, this slowdown is basically invisible with modern VPN providers since serious declines in speed are rather an exception than a rule now because of new VPN protocols such as WireGuard
But if you do experience slower Internet due to VPN use, here’s how to increase your VPN speed and fix this issue.
Increasing your VPN speed
Choose a reputable VPN provider: Increasing internet speed with a VPN can be a challenge as some providers just don’t get the job done. They may give you a new location but compromise on speed and security. That’s why you should consider going for a VPN with an extensive server network, modern VPN protocols, and no speed and data caps.
Connect to another server: To increase VPN speed, choose a server closest to your location. This reduces data travel distance. Switching between servers is easy with VeePN — a user-friendly VPN provider with thousands of servers in 89 locations across the world. The app automatically selects the fastest servers for you. Change one only if you need to access specific content or if the current server is congested.
Use a wired connection: Wireless connections are generally slower than wired. This is because data travels between your device and the router using radio signals, which can be affected by interference and disruptions. Besides, wireless connections share and transmit data to multiple devices simultaneously, further impacting internet speed.
If your device has ethernet ports and you have an ethernet cable available, using a wired connection for faster internet speeds.
Use a VPN protocol with faster performance: A VPN protocol is responsible for encrypting your data before sending it to an external server. The protocol you use affects the level of security, privacy and VPN speed. The most common protocol is OpenVPN.
To increase internet speed when using a VPN, try changing your protocol settings. VeePN lets you switch between different protocols, including WireGuard.
To switch to WireGuard on VeePN:
- Click the settings icon in the VeePN app.
- Find VPN protocol settings.
- Select WireGuard from the drop-down menu.
Disable unnecessary features: Some VPN clients or apps have additional features such as ad-blocking and malware protection. These features can be more expensive and potentially slow down your connection. Consider disabling them from time to time.
Optimise VPN settings: Check the settings of your VPN client or app and make sure it’s configured for the best performance. Some VPN apps offer options to adjust encryption strength or compression settings. However, keep in mind that reducing encryption strength may affect security.
Turn on split tunnelling: By default, most VPN services encrypt and tunnel internet traffic from all apps on your device, which can slow down your connection if you’re running multiple traffic-intensive apps.
Split tunnelling enables you to choose which sites, apps and networks should go through the VPN and which ones should be accessed directly.
To increase VPN speed without compromising security, you can enable split tunnelling in VeePN apps for Windows and Android by:
- Open the VeePN app and go to settings.
- Select split tunnelling from the menu.
- You’ll see two options: route via VPN and bypass VPN. Enabling the former lets you choose which apps will use the VPN. The latter allows you to restrict certain apps from going through the VPN connection.
On iOS, find this feature in settings as bypasser — select which apps will bypass the VPN connection.
Double-check your connection: If your VPN connection speed hasn’t improved with the previous steps, it may be due to slow internet— even the best VPN service can’t provide fast speeds on a sluggish connection.
Run a speed test to confirm. If the results are below your usual speeds or what your ISP has promised, reboot your router. If the problem persists, contact your ISP or consider upgrading to a higher bandwidth Internet plan.
How to speed up your internet
Whether you’re using a VPN or not, these simple adjustments will help you increase internet speed.
Restart your router or modem: Let’s start with a classic, which is restarting your router or modem.
Clear up your device: Over time, your device can accumulate unnecessary files and data that can impact its performance. Clearing cache, cookies and temporary files can free up space and give your internet speed a much-needed boost.
Move the router closer to your device: The distance between your device and the router can affect signal strength. So moving your device closer to the router (or vice versa) can make a world of difference. This will minimise signal interference.
Close unnecessary background apps: Background apps take up precious network resources, even when you’re not using them. Close them down, free up bandwidth and speed up your connection.
Check for firmware updates: Check the manufacturer’s website for any available firmware updates and install them to ensure you’re running the latest version.
Use a wired connection: If possible, connect your device directly to the router using an ethernet cable for a reliable and high-speed connection.
Secure your network: Secure your network with a strong password. Don’t let unauthorised internet users slow you down.
Limit connected devices: The more devices connected to your network, the more bandwidth is shared. If you have multiple devices connected simultaneously, consider disconnecting or limiting the number of devices actively using the internet to optimise your connection speed.
Consider using a wi-fi extender: This nifty device amplifies your wi-fi signal, banishing weak spots and ensuring smooth experience.
Choose a new wi-fi channel: Speed up your network by choosing a new wi-fi channel. Switch your router from a standard 2.4 GHz channel to a 5 GHz channel for more bandwidth and less interference. 5 GHz offers 23 non-overlapping channels, reducing interference and congestion. If your router only supports 2.4 GHz, opt for channels 1, 6 or 11 to minimise overlap and improve your connection speed.
To change the Wi-Fi channels on your router:
1.Access your router’s settings by entering your router’s IP address in the address bar.
2.Enter your login credentials.
3.Find a section related to wireless or wi-fi settings.
4.Select the desired frequency band. Choose the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, depending on your router’s capabilities and your preference.
5.Choose the channel. Look for an option to change the channel within the selected frequency band. Select the channel you want to use to minimise interference.
6.Save the changes.
The steps may vary depending on your router’s brand and model. If you encounter any difficulties, consult the router’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions related to your router model.
Upgrade your plan: If you consistently experience slow internet speeds, consider upgrading your plan with your ISP. Move to a higher bandwidth plan that caters to your required speed.
Use a reliable risk-free VPN provider such as VeePN to improve your online security and privacy without compromising on speed.
