How to Speed Up Your VPN
Reduce Latency. Optimise Throughput. Eliminate Throttle.
TL;DR: The Speed Summary
Too slow to read? Here is how to fix your connection instantly:
- Switch Protocols: Ditch OpenVPN (TCP) and switch to WireGuard or Lightway. It is lighter and significantly faster.
- Change Location: Connect to a server physically closer to you. Distance equals latency.
- Use Wired: WiFi packet loss causes retransmission delays. Plug in an Ethernet cable if you can.
- Split Tunneling: Route only necessary traffic through the VPN to free up bandwidth for gaming or streaming.
There is nothing worse than the buffering wheel of death. While encryption always adds a tiny bit of overhead, your VPN shouldn't feel like you are browsing the web in 1999. Usually, the bottleneck isn't the server; it's the configuration. I'm going to show you how to tweak your settings, optimise your route, and get your gigabit speeds back.
The Physics of Latency
Speed is largely a game of physics. Data travels through fibre optic cables at the speed of light (roughly). If you are in London and you connect to a server in Sydney, your data has to travel halfway around the world and back for every single request.
The Golden Rule: Always choose the server physically closest to your actual location unless you specifically need to bypass a geo-block. If you just want privacy, connect to a city in your own country. This minimises the "Round Trip Time" (RTT).
Protocol Wars: WireGuard vs OpenVPN
Your VPN protocol is the set of instructions your device uses to talk to the server. Some are secure but heavy; others are modern and lightweight.
If your VPN client is set to "Auto" and it feels slow, manually force it to use WireGuard or a proprietary lightweight protocol like Lightway (ExpressVPN) or NordLynx.
Hardware vs Software Bottlenecks
Split Tunneling Optimisation
Encryption requires CPU power. If you are gaming or downloading a massive update that doesn't need privacy, use Split Tunneling. This feature allows you to whitelist specific apps (like Steam or your browser) to bypass the VPN entirely. This reduces the load on the encryption tunnel and speeds up the traffic that actually remains inside it.
WiFi Signalisation
WiFi is convenient, but it is prone to packet loss. When a packet is lost, the computer has to ask for it again (retransmission), which kills your speed. VPNs amplify this issue because the encrypted packet is larger. For the best performance, plug directly into your router via Ethernet.
DNS Resolution: The Hidden Bottleneck
Sometimes the issue isn't your download bandwidth, but how quickly your browser can find the website you want to visit. Every time you type a URL, a Domain Name System (DNS) server translates it into an IP address.
If your VPN forces you to use a sluggish, overcrowded DNS server, your web browsing will feel lethargic even if your raw throughput is incredibly high. To optimise this, dive into your VPN client's settings and look for the option to set a custom DNS. Switching to a fast, secure provider like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9) can instantly make your page loads feel much snappier.
Advanced Tweak: Optimising MTU
Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) defines the largest data packet your device can transmit. By default, this is usually 1500 bytes. However, VPN encryption adds a header to each packet, making it slightly larger. If this larger packet exceeds the network limit, it gets fragmented, causing significant lag. Try lowering your MTU setting in the VPN client to 1400 or even 1300 to prevent fragmentation and smooth out a jittery connection.
Troubleshooting & Upgrading
If you have optimised your protocol and server location but are still lagging, the issue might be the provider itself.
Server Load & Cost
Free or cheap servers often get overcrowded. High speed doesn't always mean high price, however. Many low cost VPNs now utilise 10Gbps servers that can easily max out a home fibre connection without breaking the bank.
Verify the Claims
If your current provider is throttling you regardless of these settings, it might be time to switch. Check our latest VPN reviews to see which services actually deliver on their speed promises under real-world testing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a VPN always slow down internet?
Technically yes, due to encryption overhead and physical distance. However, with a top-tier provider using WireGuard, the difference is often less than 5-10%, which is unnoticeable in daily use.
Can a VPN increase my speed?
In one specific scenario: yes. If your ISP is actively throttling specific traffic (like YouTube or Netflix), a VPN hides that traffic, bypassing the throttle and potentially restoring full speed.
Is 5G faster than WiFi for VPNs?
Often, yes. 5G networks have incredible bandwidth and lower latency than many home DSL connections. However, signal stability is key; a fluctuating 5G signal will cause VPN disconnects.
This information is for educational purposes. Speeds may vary based on ISP and local infrastructure.