Ever found yourself frustrated with a sluggish VPN connection? I’ve been there, and I know how it can throw a wrench in your browsing flow. That’s why I’m diving into how to speed up Surfshark, one of the leading VPN services out there.
Why is Surfshark slow?
Sometimes, when I’m keen to catch up with my favorite shows from anywhere in the world, I’d expect my Surfshark VPN to zip through the cyber waves. However, there are moments when it’s more of a sluggish shark than a swift one. Understanding why Surfshark is so slow can be pivotal in crafting a solution.
One primary reason could be server overload. If too many users connect to the same server, the speed plummets. Another potential cause is the distance from the server; the further the data has to travel, the longer it takes. At times, the encryption process, which safeguards my data, also adds to the delay. Every layer of security requires additional processing power and time, which might account for the slowdown.
Additionally, my local internet connection plays a significant role – if it’s slow to begin with, Surfshark can’t perform miracles. Lastly, the protocols I’ve selected in the app might be more secure but less speedy. By exploring these aspects, I can better understand how to speed up Surfshark VPN. Through tweaking settings, selecting optimal servers, and ensuring my local network is up to snuff, I’m on my way to figuring out how to make Surfshark faster without compromising on security.
Check your internet connection
Before diving deeper into how to boost your Surfshark VPN speed, it’s vital to examine the foundation — your local internet connection. Poor baseline internet speed can make Surfshark seem slow, simply because there’s not enough bandwidth to go around. To understand why Surfshark is so slow at times, a speed test without the VPN active can reveal a lot.
I usually run a quick test using a reputable speed test website to check my download and upload speeds. If I notice that my internet speed is low even without Surfshark, it’s clear that I need to address my home network issues first. Slow speeds could stem from several factors such as peak usage times, outdated hardware, or distance from the router.
Once I’ve ensured that my internet connection is stable and fast, then I can focus on Surfshark-specific settings to enhance performance. Remember, the goal is to learn how to make Surfshark faster, and it starts with a solid internet connection at home. Now that the local network is out of the way, let’s tackle how to speed up Surfshark VPN by choosing the right servers.
Choose the fastest server location
When it comes to how to speed up Surfshark VPN, selecting the fastest server location is key. Since distance matters, I always recommend connecting to a server that’s close to my physical location. The shorter the distance, the faster the data can travel. Surfshark has a feature that helps users choose the fastest server automatically, but manually checking the list can sometimes yield even better results.
Here’s my quick guide to make Surfshark faster by picking the right server:
- Always opt for a server that’s geographically close to you.
- If my priority is speed over location, I look for servers labeled as ‘Fastest Server’ in the Surfshark app.
- Sometimes, I avoid peak hours to bypass server overload which significantly boosts my Surfshark VPN speed.
- I periodically test different servers at various times to find which ones perform the best for frequent use.
By consistently following these steps, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in Surfshark’s performance, effectively addressing the concern: why is Surfshark so slow? With the right server, my online experience is smoother and faster, meaning less buffering and more browsing, streaming or gaming.
Update Surfshark app
Keeping the Surfshark VPN app up-to-date is crucial to speed up your Surfshark VPN experience. App developers constantly refine the software, releasing updates that can significantly enhance speed and performance. I make it a point to check for updates regularly, as they often include optimizations that make Surfshark faster.
It’s easy to miss out on these improvements if you’re not vigilant about installing the latest version. I’ve noticed that sometimes, why Surfshark is so slow could simply be due to running an outdated version of the app. Surfshark is designed to be user-friendly, and updating it is just a few clicks or taps away—always accessible through the app store on your device.
To ensure I how to boost your Surfshark VPN speed, I enable automatic updates on my devices. This way, I’m confident I’m always operating with the latest enhancements and security protocols, which in between choosing the right server and navigating peak hours, keeps my online activities running smoothly.
Adjust Surfshark settings
When I’m aiming to boost my Surfshark VPN speed, I dive into the settings to tweak a few options. Protocol selection plays a crucial role in how fast your connection can be. Surfshark offers several, but I’ve found that the IKEv2 or the WireGuard protocols often provide the best speed. They’re designed for a balance of security and performance, and picking one of these can be central to how to make Surfshark faster.
Another important setting to check is the CleanWeb feature. While it’s great for blocking ads and malware, it might slow things down a bit. If I’m after raw speed, I’ll occasionally disable CleanWeb and see if there’s a noticeable difference in VPN performance.
Surfshark’s Whitelister is another feature that allows select apps and websites to bypass the VPN. I use this to ensure that only traffic that absolutely needs encryption goes through the VPN. This reduces the load on the network, providing a potential speed-up for my Surfshark experience.
Sometimes, tweaking these settings doesn’t just answer the question of how to speed up Surfshark VPN, but also addresses concerns like “Why is Surfshark so slow?” It’s often a simple case of the VPN being configured sub-optimally, and a few changes can make all the difference.
Use wired connection instead of Wi-Fi
Ever wondered how to boost your Surfshark VPN speed when you’re stuck asking yourself, “Why is Surfshark so slow?” Sometimes, the answer lies in the internet connection itself. Wi-Fi is undoubtedly convenient, but it can be volatile and less stable compared to a wired connection. To make Surfshark faster, consider plugging directly into your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Wi-Fi connections can suffer from interference, signal loss, and bandwidth issues, especially when multiple devices are connected. By using a wired connection, you eliminate many of these variables, ensuring that your device has a direct line to the internet. This not only reduces the likelihood of connection drops but can also provide a more consistent and higher speed baseline for your Surfshark VPN.
Switching to Ethernet can have an immediate impact on your connection stability, which is crucial when looking for ways to speed up Surfshark VPN. Ethernet provides a reliable, low-latency network environment ideal for VPN use. It’s an easy yet often overlooked step in the quest for better VPN performance.
Clear cache and cookies
When troubleshooting why Surfshark is slow, don’t forget to clear your cache and cookies. This step is often overlooked when trying to speed up Surfshark VPN, yet it’s a simple fix that can make a significant difference. Over time, cached data and cookies can accumulate, causing your browser to become sluggish, which in turn, affects your overall VPN performance.
To boost Surfshark VPN speed, I regularly navigate to my browser’s privacy settings and clear out the cache and the cookies. This gives me a clean slate, ensuring there aren’t any unnecessary data bogging down my connection. In fact, many users have reported noticeable speed improvements after clearing their cache and cookies when using Surfshark.
If you’re pondering how to make Surfshark faster, consider setting your browser to automatically clear the cache after each session. The added benefit is enhanced privacy protection because less data about your browsing habits is left behind, a win-win for performance and security.
Restart your device
Sometimes the simplest solutions pack the biggest punch. If you’re asking yourself why is Surfshark so slow, consider that your device might need a break. Much like us, our tech devices can become overwhelmed with tasks and processes running in the background. How to boost your Surfshark VPN speed might just be a matter of hitting the restart button. I’ve found that restarting my device can clear the RAM and eliminate any unnecessary tasks that might be hogging the bandwidth, which in turn can make Surfshark faster.
Before you restart, make sure to save any important work to avoid data loss. Once you’ve done this, go ahead and reboot. After your device powers back up, the system is cleaner and more efficient, a state that’s prime for running Surfshark VPN. Initiating a VPN connection now could result in notably improved performance. It’s a quick fix that many overlook, but through my own experience, I’ve seen it speed up Surfshark VPN significantly.
Keep in mind, the benefits of a device restart go beyond just your VPN experience. It’s a good practice that can enhance overall device functionality. So, if you’re not already incorporating this into your regular troubleshooting arsenal, it’s time to start.