How to Increase VPN Speed on any Device in 2022 (Quick Tips)

This tutorial will show you How to Increase VPN Speed on Firestick, Fire TV, and Android TV Boxes.

We frequently receive questions on the TROYPOINT site regarding VPN speed and how to increase performance.

There are a few tips that can be used to ensure we are getting maximum download speeds when our VPN is active.

Many of these tips can also be found within our popular Firestick buffering guide.

Prior to diving into the tutorial, it is important for you to know how a VPN functions so you understand some of the remedies outlined below.

When we connect to the Internet through a VPN, we are first establishing a secure connection to the provider’s server.

When this happens, our Internet connection is assigned a new IP address, and data is encrypted. By doing this, it decreases our Internet connection naturally.

Running a VPN on a Firestick or any device requires processing power which could also diminish download speed as well.

With that being said, you will usually see better speeds on high-powered devices such as the NVIDIA Shield as compared to an Amazon Firestick.

This is because the NVIDIA Shield has higher processing power which results in better download speeds when a VPN is active.

Most cord cutters and gamers use a VPN so that their Internet Service Provider, government, app/addon developers, and hackers can’t log what they are accessing online.

A VPN encrypts your connection to the Internet and masks your IP address so you become anonymous.

Check out our detailed VPN Guide for everything you need to know about VPNs and how to install them on any device.

If you are wondering whether or not your speed is sufficient for streaming High Definition files, the following guide will provide you with all the answers to the question: What is a Good Internet Speed?

Don’t get too hung up on your download speed when your VPN is active.

As you will see in the image below, it doesn’t take much speed to stream 1080p content.  See the video below for a better explanation.

In the following guides, I am using a Fire TV Stick 4K and IPVanish VPN, which is touted as the Best VPN for Streaming among cord-cutters.

If you are an avid gamer, this service is also considered the Best Gaming VPN available.

However, this same process can be used for any Internet-connected device or VPN service.

Note: IPVanish recently announced a network upgrade that will improve their VPN speed by 2.5 times. Click the link below for more information.

IPVanish Boasts Major VPN Speed Improvement

How To Increase VPN Speed 

Most VPN services come with a choice of multiple protocols that may be accessed through the settings menu of the application.  The choices are usually UDP or TCP.

I have found that you will likely see a VPN speed increase by using UDP.  This is found within the settings of your VPN application.

We tested the various VPN protocols to find out which protocol is truly the fastest on popular devices.

Some Internet connections require TCP so if your VPN won’t connect, try switching to TCP.

1. Launch IPVanish and click the Settings option

2. Scroll down to select Protocol

3. Choose OpenVPN (UDP) if it is not already selected

With UDP selected, we can now test our Internet Speed and adjust the server settings to find the fastest choice.

Connect To VPN Server Close To Your Location

It only makes sense that connecting to a VPN server closer to your location will provide faster download speeds since there is less distance for the data to travel.

Most VPN applications come with an auto-connect button that attempts to connect to the fastest server.  I have found that this approach does not work well for most VPN services.

I suggest manually connecting to a server within your VPN connection panel that is close to where you are currently located.

Each location will also provide multiple servers to choose from and it is a good idea to perform a speed test on each until you find one that you are satisfied with.

NOTE: In the steps below, I will use a free Internet Speed Test application called Analiti Speed Test WiFi Analyzer. This can be installed using our tutorial below.

How to Install Analiti Speed Test

1. Return to IPVanish App home-screen and click Connect

2. Wait for the connection to establish

3. Go back to your device home-screen and lanch Analiti

4. Analiti immediately begins analyzing your internet speed. Wait for the test to finish and review your results

5. Return to IPVanish and try changing the Server to a location nearest you

6. Try selecting a different server to connect to

7. Connect to your new Server

8. Close the IPVanish app and launch Analiti to see your results

That’s it! I suggest trying numerous servers and locations to find the option that provides you with the highest download speed.

If you need a VPN provider with blazing fast speeds, I suggest IPVanish.

As you can see in the video above, the service provides excellent download speeds which is why it is one of the most popular services on the market today.

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Other Ways to Increase VPN Speed

1. Restart Your Device

The first remedy I always suggest for anything computer-related is to restart your device.

It’s amazing how this solves so many problems with computers and media streaming devices.

Check out our Firestick restart tutorial for instructions and more information.

How to Restart Firestick/Fire TV

If a device restart doesn’t help then a Firestick Reset is recommended.

2. Upgrade to Ethernet Connection

Oftentimes your home wireless connection can become unreliable due to distance from the router, low bandwidth, and other reasons.

I suggest looking into a Firestick Ethernet Adapter, which will likely increase your VPN speeds.

If your home does not have ethernet jacks in the walls, then we recommend a Powerline Adapter.

3. Restart Your Wireless Router & Modem

Another solution to increase VPN speed is to restart your wireless router and Internet modem.

When doing this, I suggest unplugging both devices from the power outlet, letting them sit for ten minutes, and then plugging back in.

You usually want to first plug your modem back in and once that has started, plug your wireless router back in.

If you find the steps listed above do not improve your speed when connected to a VPN, your Internet speed may not be strong enough.

Most Internet providers offer speed upgrades and this is usually a minimal increase to your monthly price but well worth it.

Using a VPN router may also be beneficial for improving VPN speed over time.

Vilfo VPN Router Review & Setup

4. Update Device Software

Updating your device to the latest software will remove bugs in the previous versions, prevent apps from crashing, and help increase VPN speed!

Check out the guide below to help you install the latest software update for your device.

How To Update Firestick/Fire TV

These tips outlined above should help increase your VPN speed and make for a more enjoyable streaming experience!

Read more about IPVanish VPN through our in-depth review which you will find below.

IPVanish Review

How to Increase VPN Speed FAQ

How do you Increase VPN Speed?

There are several ways to increase VPN speed. Some of the popular methods include switching VPN protocols, changing servers, restarting your device, and other tips listed in this guide.

What is the Fastest VPN?

The fastest and most popular VPN in the market is IPVanish. They have undergone recent network upgrades and continue to improve their service over time.

What is ISP Throttling?

ISP throttling occurs when an ISP slows down your connection speed if it detects too many streaming activities from your end. A good solution is to connect to a VPN service such as IPVanish.