Downloading through VPN slows down the whole network

Tovino77

When I download something (like from Steam etc.) with full speed when VPN is connected, all the devices in my network get extremely slow. Like, getting disconnected from games, or pages not loading and browsers giving errors slow. None of these happen when I do any kind of download without VPN connected.

I connect to the VPN via OpenVPN client on my PC.

What do you think might be causing this? The only thing I can think of is maybe my router is having some trouble when there's load on the port that OpenVPN uses? Can't think of anything else.

mission156

This was happening to me when I use the VPN to torrent even though I was nowhere near using all of my bandwidth.

The solution for me was to enable QoS in the router.

[Deleted User]

Hello Tovino77,

Thank you for your response and inquiry. However, the speed that your ISP provides is based on an ideal, standard internet connection. VPN technology is highly complex and involves a large number of services and factors that can impact the overall speed you would see by using a VPN service.

To see what speeds your ISP is capable of providing to our VPN service, you can run a quick check on our Network page (feel free to try several different servers; you may find that some offer better speeds over your ISP's connection than others): 

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/ 

Once the VPN service is active on your device, under normal circumstances, you should expect to see a drop in speeds from the rate you saw when you ran the tests above; typically about a 30-60% drop. However, depending on local conditions and the ISPs your traffic traverses, you may see a more significant reduction, sometimes up to 70%. 

However - have you tried the following:

- change servers
- cycling servers 
(connect to one server, disconnect, select a different server, disconnect, re-try the original server)
- change ports and protocols (tcp/udp)
- clear cache and cookies in the browser
- changed browsers to see if one is faster
- performed a clean uninstall/reinstall
(uninstalling, rebooting, then reinstalling a fresh copy)
- logged out of the application and reboot the device
(then logged back in to try and connect successfully)

Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with! Thank you for your patience and for allowing us to serve you for your VPN needs. - PIA CS TEAM

Tovino77

When I download something (like from Steam etc.) with full speed when VPN is connected, all the devices in my network get extremely slow. Like, getting disconnected from games, or pages not loading and browsers giving errors slow. None of these happen when I do any kind of download without VPN connected.

I connect to the VPN via OpenVPN client on my PC.

What do you think might be causing this? The only thing I can think of is maybe my router is having some trouble when there's load on the port that OpenVPN uses? Can't think of anything else.

my issue got solved!!
________________________

[Deleted User]

Hello Tovino77,

Thank you for your response. As we mentioned, typically about a 30-60% drop is expected as speed is sacrifices for security. However, depending on local conditions and the ISPs your traffic traverses, you may see a more significant reduction, sometimes up to 70%. The troubleshooting options we offered are to assist you in getting the best connection possible at any given time. However I am happy to hear your issue was resolved! Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with! - PIA CS TEAM