So, will a VPN always make my games lag?

Not necessarily. Lag (ping) is about distance. If you select a VPN server closer to the gaming server than you are, it could theoretically lower ping. However, for the best performance, choose a server in your own country (e.g., UK to UK) to minimise latency.

Why is my VPN so slow?

It is likely due to overcrowding on free servers or connecting to a geographically distant location. Ensure you are not connecting to the US whilst sitting in Manchester, for example.

What is the fastest VPN protocol?

WireGuard. It is the modern standard, designed to be lightweight and significantly faster than older protocols like OpenVPN.

Can a VPN Affect Internet Speed? Explanation & Quick Tips

The Short Answer: Yes, But...

Let’s not beat about the bush: Yes, using a VPN will generally slow down your internet connection slightly. Whether you are in London using Virgin Media or in New York with Verizon, rerouting your traffic adds a step to the process.

However, the difference with a high-quality VPN should be negligible. If your base speed is 100 Mbps, a premium VPN might drop it to 90 Mbps—a loss you likely won't notice whilst streaming or browsing. If you are noticing a massive drop—say, your connection feels like it's stuck in the dial-up era—that is not normal behaviour. It usually signals a poor quality provider or a bad server choice.

Crucially, in specific scenarios involving ISP throttling, a VPN can actually increase your speed. Let's analyse why this happens.

Why a VPN Slows Speed: The Physics

When you experience lag or slower download speeds, it boils down to two primary factors: distance and encryption.

1. The Physical Distance (Ping): Think of the internet like a physical parcel delivery. Without a VPN, you are sending data directly to the website. With a VPN, you are first sending the parcel to a sorting office (the VPN server) before it goes to its destination.

If you are in the UK and connect to a server in Australia, your data has to travel thousands of kilometres back and forth. This physical distance creates latency (high ping). To minimise this, always choose a server geographically close to you.
2. The Encryption Overhead: A VPN wraps your data in a layer of heavy encryption to keep it secure from prying eyes. Your device has to encrypt the data (lock the box) and the server has to decrypt it (unlock the box). This process requires processing power and time. While modern protocols like WireGuard have optimised this massively, it still constitutes a small "security tax" on your speed.

When a VPN Can Increase Speed

This sounds contradictory, doesn't it? Yet, it is a very real phenomenon known as beating ISP Throttling.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Comcast (USA), BT, or Virgin Media (UK) actively manage their networks. If they detect you are engaging in high-bandwidth activities—such as streaming 4K video, torrenting, or gaming during peak hours—they may intentionally slow down your specific connection to save bandwidth for the neighbourhood.

The VPN Fix: Because a VPN encrypts your traffic, your ISP can see that you are using data, but they cannot see what you are doing. They cannot distinguish between a 4K Netflix stream and a simple email. Consequently, they cannot automatically throttle you based on your activity. In this specific instance, enabling a VPN can restore your speeds to their full potential.

3 Factors That Define VPN Speed

If you want to ensure your connection remains lightning-fast, look for these three characteristics in your VPN service:

The Protocol (WireGuard): This is non-negotiable in 2026. Older protocols like OpenVPN are bulky. WireGuard is a modern, lightweight protocol designed specifically for high-speed performance. Always ensure your VPN app is set to use WireGuard.
Server Load: Imagine a motorway. If thousands of users engage the same server, traffic grinds to a halt. Premium VPNs offer thousands of servers to distribute the load evenly, preventing congestion.
Server Infrastructure: Speed relies on hardware. Top-tier providers use 10Gbps servers (or faster) rather than standard 1Gbps servers, allowing for massive data throughput without bottlenecks.

Hot Tip: How to Maximise Speed

If your VPN connection feels sluggish, try these immediate fixes:

Select the Closest Server: Do not connect to a random country unless you need to bypass a geo-block. If you are simply browsing for security, connect to the city nearest you (e.g., London, Manchester, New York, or Chicago).
Check Your Protocol: Dive into your settings and manually select WireGuard. Do not leave it on "Automatic" if you are experiencing issues.
Use Split Tunnelling: Many VPNs allow you to route only specific apps (like your browser) through the VPN while letting high-speed apps (like games) run directly through your normal connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a VPN cause lag in gaming?

Lag is determined by distance. If you connect to a VPN server halfway across the world, your ping will skyrocket, causing lag. However, if you connect to a server close to you, the increase in ping should be minimal—often less than 10ms—which is barely noticeable for most gamers.

Why is my VPN connection so slow?

This is usually due to overcrowding (common with free VPNs) or distance. Ensure you aren't accidentally connected to a server on a different continent. If you are on a free plan, switch to a premium provider to access less congested, higher-speed servers.

Does a VPN affect upload speeds?

Yes, it affects both upload and download speeds equally. Since all data leaving your device must be encrypted and routed through the server, you may notice slower uploads during video calls or when backing up files to the cloud.

Can I use a VPN for 4K streaming?

Absolutely. A good VPN should easily handle 4K streaming. If you experience buffering, try switching protocols to WireGuard or selecting a different server location optimised for streaming.

Can a VPN Affect Internet Speed?