VPNs are the perfect way to ensure online privacy and safety. They’ll keep all kinds of creeps from stealing or using your data illegally. You can even make a VPN not slow down your connection. The only downside is to using a VPN is that most of them will actually do the opposite and slow down your connection by up to 50%. This makes it practically impossible to enjoy simple things like video chatting and streaming content.
So, what’s the cause of this slowing and how can you make a VPN not slow down your connection? Read on to find out.
Slow VPNs Are a Common Issue
Most VPN services have the same fixes for this problem. They usually recommend one of the following solutions:
- Start with your internet router and check if it has any problems.
- Check your ISP as they might be deliberately throttling connection.
- Use a server that is geographically close to you.
It’s obviously frustrating to see the same advice when you know that it won’t help you make a VPN not slow down your connection. In most cases, the problem is not with your router or your ISP, or the server that you’re using.
Sometimes, the fix could be buried in some part of the VPN website’s Help or FAQ section. Perhaps somewhere in the fine print is a section that warns about the potential slowing of your Internet connection and what do if that happens. Either way, it’s an expected side effect of using a VPN in most cases.
How Do VPNs Work?
A slow VPN is typically caused by a fundamental design flaw. How do VPNs work? Firstly, there’s a secure socket that connects your computer to a remote server. The remote server allows your mobile device or computer to receive all the data being sent.
All of the data is secured via encryption. This makes it impossible for anyone else to see your IP address or online activity. This means that your security is pretty much guaranteed when using a VPN service.
The downside is that the design is inherently flawed. Connecting to the remote server through a single socket severely limits your bandwidth. So, if you’re video chatting, playing video games, or streaming content online, then you could experience problems because there’s too much going on. Apps that require heavy data use can cause your device to come to a complete standstill.
Your connection to the VPN server can even get cut off if you have a poor WiFi or data connection. This means you’ll need to reconnect again before you can fully enjoy using the VPN.
How to Make a VPN Not Slow Down Your Connection?
If you constantly experience connection issues while using your VPN, here are some solutions you can apply to fix the problem.
1. Change VPN Protocol
VPN software allows you to connect to a server using a protocol and port number combination aka UDP and TCP. But, certain networks deliberately limit protocol and port speed. So, another way to make a VPN not slow down your connection is to switch to another port or protocol until you can find an optimal combination.
2. Change Servers
The shortest fix you can apply to make a VPN not slow down your connection is to choose the closest server to your location. This leads to lower latency that speeds up your connection. If your preferred server is experiencing congestion issues, you might experience a slowdown in your connection. In this case, you’ll have to change your server to an option that’s not as congested.
3. Change Device
Most devices struggle to operate at fast connection speeds because they can’t handle the VPN’s encryption overhead. This often happens with old iOS devices, Android devices as well as NAS and routers. If that’s the case, then your only solution is to change devices and opt for a more efficient model.
4. Use a Wired Connection
Another common culprit is a poor WiFi connection. Because WiFi conveys data between various devices using a shared channel, there are often speed and latency issues. If this seems to be the issue, then you should try using a wired connection, which almost always guarantees fast speeds.
5. Restart Modem or Router
Memory leaks might cause a router or modem to slow down over time. The most common fix for this problem is to restart the router or modem in order to improve your connection speed.
6. Use IPVanish
IPVanish comes highly recommended due to its wide variety of servers. The company boasts servers in over 50 countries spread across all of the continents, including South America and Africa. This is quite rare as most VPN companies tend to ignore these two continents.
However, the more servers a company has, usually means that it has more subscribers as well. But, it’s best to have more servers in order to avoid overcrowding and IPVanish delivers on this expectation in spades, with over 1,300 servers on its roster.
Not only that, but IPVanish offers a wide variety of customization features. For instance, you can change your IP address through the IPVanish app to suit your needs, or block web access when your VPN is disconnected, using the Kill Switch. You can also configure app to automatically start upon restart.
To choose the best server, you must know that you’re using the VPN itself for. Some of the most common benefits of uses of VPNs include:
- Anonymity: One of the best ways to access the Internet anonymously is not to go incognito. It’s to use a VPN and connect to a server that’s in a city or country closest to you.
- Location Change: If your intention is to hide your location, select a server that allows you to access the content you want.
- Fast Speed: To make a VPN not slow down your connection, go to the IPVanish app, click on Best Available option based on your location and settings, and then connect.
What are your thoughts on our tips on how to make a VPN not slow down your connection?
Let us know in the comments area below!
