Virtual private networks (VPNs) are designed to boost your online security and privacy. But when your VPN does not work the way it should, it could cause you more harm than good.
Although VPN providers strive to make their service reliable, they are still prone to glitches, bugs , and other problems. A lot of factors are at play when you connect via VPN, and when one of them fails, the whole system gets affected. That’s when VPN connection problems happen.
VPN problems are common, but you don’t have to worry because most of them can be easily fixed. When your VPN slows down your internet, keeps disconnecting, crashes often , or won’t connect at all, you can try the solutions listed below to solve the problem.
Problem #1: Slow Internet Connection Due to VPN
Paid VPNs usually improve your internet connection speed, while most free VPN users experience slower internet connection. However, the drop in speed shouldn’t be that significant. If you noticed that your internet connection has become too slow to simply browse, then there’s probably something wrong elsewhere. Here are some tips to help you improve your internet speed when using VPN:
1. Upgrade to a paid service.
Even though VPN providers claim that their free VPN is as fast as the paid version, you might find that this is not always true. VPN providers tend to prioritize their paying customers because these subscribers are the lifeblood of their business. So if you really want fast and premium service, you have to pay for it.
There are several affordable VPNs on the market today with competitive speeds, such as Outbyte VPN, which offers reliable VPN services at an affordable fee. You might want to think about upgrading your account for better service.
2. Disable your antivirus.
If your local security program is constantly scanning all of the packets being sent out of your computer, then it could be slowing down your connection. Try disabling it momentarily to check if it is indeed the culprit. Take note, however, that disabling your antivirus software will leave your computer vulnerable to attacks , so make sure to turn it back on again.
3. Switch servers.
The VPN server you are connecting to has a huge impact on your connection speed. The closer you are to the server, the faster the speed you’ll get. The same is true for the opposite. If the server is congested, you will be competing with other users for bandwidth , so you might have better luck connecting to a server that isn’t being used as much.
Switching to a different service is easy. Just open your VPN client and choose a new server, then run a speed test to see if the new server gives you faster internet speed.
4. Change ports.
You might think that all ports are the same, but that is not necessarily true. Some ports can be faster than others depending on how your ISP directs traffic to different ports. Try switching your VPN connection to a different port to see if doing so makes any difference.
Problem #2: VPN Connection Problems
When you can’t connect to VPN, it is highly likely that there are factors interfering with your connection. It could be an old VPN package left in your system, an overprotective firewall, your internet service, or a VPN server that is not responding. Whatever the reason is, these problems can be easily resolved using the VPN troubleshooting tips below :
1. Restart your VPN software.
Refreshing your software is the first thing you need to do when you encounter any problem. If your VPN has a client installed on your computer, close the program completely and restart it. If you are using a VPN browser plugin, close your browser and restart it. Reboot your computer while you’re at it.
2. Remove old VPN software.
If you installed a couple of VPN programs previously, it is possible that they are stopping your current VPN from functioning correctly. Disable, uninstall, and then delete any previous VPN packages that you’ve installed on your device, and see if it fixes your problem.
3. Make sure the VPN version you are using is updated.
VPN software is updated regularly to ensure easier and smoother day-to-day operations of the program. Make sure you are using the latest version by checking the About page of your VPN software. You can then compare this version against the version number on the provider’s website.
4. Change your server.
Major VPNs offer hundreds of servers you can connect to, but not all of them provide good connection. Some of them may be congested with traffic, are too far away from your location, temporarily down, or blacklisted by the website or service you are trying to access.
If you can’t connect to a server, try the other ones. Even if you’re using a location-based server, you don’t have to worry about finding a new server in the same location because most VPNs offer multiple servers per location.
5. Check your firewall.
The function of your firewall is to check the data that passes through your connection. But firewalls can be very protective and some of them don’t get along well with VPNs, so they mess with the connection. Disable your firewall temporarily to see if it is actually affecting your connection. Don’t forget to turn it back on after checking because your computer will be left vulnerable to attacks.
6. Double-check your username and password.
Sometimes your VPN connection problem is caused by a very simple issue: wrong username and password. It’s either you typed in the wrong password or you entered your email instead of your username. If any of these fields is incorrect, you’ll get an authentication error and won’t be able to connect.
Re-enter your username and password, and then try to connect again. If it still doesn’t work, try resetting your password.
7. Try using a different network.
If you’re experiencing VPN Wi-Fi problems, try switching to wired connection and see if there are any improvements. If the issue persists, you can try using a different network, such as a nearby public Wi-Fi or a friend’s hotspot. If you can connect using a different network, then you might have a problem with your internet settings. Check your Wi-Fi and internet settings to check what’s causing trouble for your VPN.
VPN That Keeps Dropping
Another irritating problem is when you have successfully connected your VPN and then you suddenly get disconnected, especially if it happens frequently. Here are some things you can do to fix your dropping VPN connection :
1. Use wired connection.
We all know that using a Wi-Fi connection is not always stable . If you encounter connection issues while on Wi-Fi, switching to ethernet connection may fix the problem.
2. Connect to a neighboring server.
Sometimes the problem is not caused by your device or connection, but by your VPN provider itself. If a server is misbehaving or is not working as it should, try using a nearby server instead to see if your connection gets better.
Summary
VPNs can only do their job of protecting your privacy and security if they’re working as they should be. If your VPN can’t connect or keeps on dropping, your connection might be subjected to vulnerabilities. So when you encounter any problem with your VPN, you can use the VPN troubleshooting methods mentioned above to get it working perfectly again.