# Does a VPN slow down your internet?

Online privacy is critical, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of sacrificing speed. Learn why VPNs can affect connection speeds, how to boost performance, and why a top-performing VPN built for both security and speed makes all the difference.

## Why does a VPN slow down your internet?

A VPN can [slow down your internet](https://us.norton.com/blog/wifi/why-is-my-internet-so-slow) slightly because it adds extra steps to your connection. When you connect, your traffic is encrypted and routed through a secure server before reaching its destination. This process takes time, which can reduce your speed.

Here are a few common reasons a [VPN](https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/what-is-a-vpn) might slow down your connection:

### Encryption overhead

[Encryption](https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/what-is-encryption) is the process VPNs use to scramble your data and protect your privacy online. While essential for security, the extra work your device and the VPN server must do to encrypt and decrypt your data can slightly impact transfer speeds.

### VPN server distance

A [VPN works](https://us.norton.com/blog/wifi/how-does-a-vpn-work) by routing your internet traffic through secure servers. Generally, the farther the server is from your location, the longer it takes for data to travel. So, if you’re looking for faster performance, you should choose a server closer to where you are.

### Server load

Beyond server distance, the amount of traffic a server handles at any moment can also affect your connection speed. VPN providers with a larger, more robust infrastructure can distribute the traffic more efficiently and maintain faster speeds.

## 11 quick fixes to make your VPN run faster

While you can’t completely eliminate VPN slowdowns, there are several actions you can take to help [improve your connection speed](https://us.norton.com/blog/vpn/norton-vpn-gets-openvpn-upgrade). Try these steps to troubleshoot and boost your VPN performance:

1. **Switch to a different server location**: Connect to a server closer to your location so your data travels a shorter distance.
2. **Change VPN protocols**: Switch to a protocol best suited for what you’re trying to do. For example, **WireGuard** for speed or **OpenVPN** for strong security.
3. **Use a wired connection**: Using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi usually provides faster, more stable speeds.
4. **Restart your device and router**: Rebooting clears temporary files and resets memory.
5. **Turn off unnecessary background apps**: Closing background apps you’re not using can help free up bandwidth.
6. **Update your VPN app**: Keeping your VPN app up to date helps maintain fast speeds.
7. **Enable split tunneling**: This feature can help improve speeds by allowing you to choose which apps to route through the VPN.
8. **Try a different device**: Older devices may struggle to handle the extra work of encrypting and decrypting data.
9. **Disable your firewall or antivirus temporarily**: If these interfere with VPN connections, check performance with them disabled.
10. **Switch VPN services**: Consider a top-performing VPN service for more reliable performance.

## Can a VPN actually increase internet speed?

While the steps VPNs take to secure your data generally lead to slightly slower speeds, you may notice faster speeds in some cases. This is because some internet service providers (ISPs) intentionally slow down or throttle internet speeds during peak times.

## Choose a VPN that won’t drag you down

[Norton VPN](https://us.norton.com/products/norton-vpn) gives you the best of both worlds — powerful security and fast, reliable connections.