How to fix slow connection issues on Windows? – Surfshark Customer Support

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

Remember that some decrease in speed (around 30 %) is expected when using a VPN. Feel free to check out this article where we have described potential changes in your connection speed.

Change the current protocol on your Surfshark app.

Go to the Settings page on your Surfshark app, and select the VPN Settings tab, where you will find the Protocol setting. By default, the protocol should be Automatic. Change it from Automatic to WireGuard, then connect to one of Surfshark's servers and test the speed again.
Test the speed of several different locations (servers).

Even if you have used the Fastest server button previously, you should try several other locations as well. Try the ones that are close to your physical location.

If you're not sure how to check if the speed has increased - visit speedtest.net or any other speed-testing website. Do a quick test and see the results.
Try the manual connection.

A manual VPN connection will provide you with a basic VPN connection, bypassing all the features that might potentially slow down your connection. Here is a quick tutorial for a manual connection using the Surfshark app.
Restart your device.

Even though this may sound too simple to have any effect, it often helps because rebooting your device will close all idle apps and stop other background processes that might be running.
Disable interfering apps.

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