Improve VPN connection speed on Linux
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    Improve VPN connection speed on Linux


      Article summary

      In this article, you will learn what might cause slow connection issues on your Linux device when connected to NordLayer and how to avoid them.

      Keep in mind that some decrease in speed (around 30%) is expected when using a VPN.

      If you have noticed that the connection speed has decreased more drastically, you may want to try the adjustments below.

      Test the speed of several different locations (servers)

      Please try several locations, even though you may expect the best results while connected to the nearest server to your physical location.

      If you are unsure how to check if the speed has increased - you may perform a basic speed test at speedtest.net.

      Change the default protocol on the NordLayer app

      Please check our article on how to change the protocol on Linux and once selected, please test the speed again.

      Try the manual VPN connection

      A manual VPN connection will provide you a basic VPN connection, bypassing all the features that might potentially slow down your connection. Here is a quick tutorial for a manual VPN connection using the NordLayer service.

      Reset network settings

      As a last resort, we suggest resetting your device's network settings. This clears cached routing, cached DNS records, saved WiFi connections and settings made by networking programs like web browsers, email clients, and VPNs. In order to do that on a Linux device, you can follow our separate guide.

      Disable interfering apps

      Apps like anti-virus, file sharing clients or other VPNs might use the same tools and resources on your Linux device that NordLayer needs. That can potentially slow down your VPN connection. Disable those apps (at least temporarily) and see if that helps with the connection speed.

      Internet speed can also be directly affected by the condition of both your hardware and firmware. Here is what we recommend:

      1. Close any applications that may be transferring data in the background, e.g. software for downloading or file sharing.

      2. Old and sometimes even new routers provided to you by your Internet service provider often use outdated firmware or are technically poorly manufactured. This can directly impact your Internet speed, therefore we recommend investing in a better router.

      Note: In case you have any questions or are experiencing any issues, please feel free to contact our 24/7 customer support team.


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