Why is my VPN slow? Common causes and fixes
The most common causes of slow VPN speeds and how to fix each one.
Some speed reduction is normal with a VPN due to encryption overhead, but you shouldn't lose more than 10–20% of your base internet speed.
1. Server distance
Connecting to a server 10,000 km away adds significant latency. Use Quick Connect to automatically pick the nearest available server.
2. Protocol choice
Protocol choice changes the balance between speed and compatibility. Auto is the best starting point; UDP is usually the lowest-latency manual option, while Stealth, HTTP, HTTP Max, and TLS are built for harder networks.
3. Server load
A server at 90%+ capacity will be slow. The server list shows current load percentages — switch to a server under 50% load.
4. Your base internet speed
Run a speed test without the VPN first. If your base speed is 10 Mbps, the VPN can't exceed that. Contact your ISP if base speeds are lower than your plan.
5. Hardware limitations
Older devices may struggle with VPN encryption overhead. If the device itself is the bottleneck, try Auto or UDP first and close background apps before testing again.
Run a speed test while connected to the VPN at fast.com — download speed above 80% of your base speed is excellent.
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