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In this article, you will learn what might cause slow connection issues on your Windows device when connected to a VPN and how to avoid them.
If you have noticed a significant decrease in connection speed, try the adjustments below:
- Change the protocol
- Test several different locations
- Try the manual connection
- Restart your device
- Disable interfering apps
NOTE: Some decrease in speed (around 30 %) is expected when using a VPN for Windows. Feel free to check how to troubleshoot speed problems.
Change the protocol
- Go to the Settings page on your Surfshark app.
- Select the VPN Settings tab.
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You will find the Protocol setting. By default, the protocol should be Automatic. Change it from Automatic to WireGuard.
- Connect to one of Surfshark's servers and test the speed again.
Test several different locations
Even if you have used the Fastest server button previously, you should try several other locations as well. Try the ones that are close to your physical location.
If you're not sure how to check if the speed has increased, visit a speed-testing website. Do a quick test and see the results.
Try the manual connection
A manual VPN connection will provide you with a basic VPN connection, bypassing all the features that might potentially slow down your connection. See how to connect manually using Surfshark Windows app.
Restart your device
Even though this may sound too simple to have any effect, it often helps because rebooting your device will close all idle apps and stop other background processes that might be running.
Disable interfering apps
Apps like anti-virus, file-sharing clients, or other VPNs might use the same tools and resources on your computer that Surfshark needs. That can potentially slow down your VPN connection.
Disable those apps (at least temporarily), reboot your device, and see if that helps with the connection speed.
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