How to fix slow VPN speeds

A good VPN on a nearby server should feel almost the same as no VPN at all. So if yours is noticeably slow, something specific is usually wrong — and it’s nearly always fixable in a couple of minutes. Work down this list in order and you’ll find it.

The fixes, in order

Try each and re-test:

1. Switch to a closer server. Distance is the biggest factor in VPN speed — a server in or near your country will almost always beat a far-off one.
2. Change to a less busy server. If your chosen location is overloaded, another server in the same region often frees things up instantly.
3. Check your base connection. Disconnect the VPN and run a Speed Test. If it’s slow without the VPN too, the VPN isn’t the problem — your connection or Wi-Fi is.
4. Improve your Wi-Fi or go wired. A weak signal caps everything; move closer to the router or plug in.
5. Try a different protocol if your app offers one — some are faster on certain networks.
6. Restart the app, your device, and your router. Classic, but it clears a surprising number of gremlins.

Rule out throttling

One twist: if your VPN is fast at some times and slow at others, your ISP might be throttling — though a VPN usually hides your traffic from that. Compare speeds across the day and against our guide to ISP throttling to be sure.

When it’s not the VPN

Remember that a VPN can’t make your connection faster than your underlying line, minus a little overhead. If your base speed is low, no server switch will fix it — see does a VPN slow down your internet for realistic expectations. But for most “slow VPN” complaints, a closer, less crowded server solves it in seconds.