How To Increase Download Speed On PC: Proven Tips and VPN Tricks

Supercharge Your Internet Speed with VeePN

Before we get into tweaks and troubleshooting, consider a solution that speeds up and secures: VeePN. While many associate VPNs with security, a good VPN like VeePN can also speed up your download in specific scenarios, especially when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttles your bandwidth during peak hours. Here’s what VeePN brings to the table:

• Bypass ISP throttling that slows you down during peak hours
• Faster server routes for downloading content from international sources, so you can get the best speeds by choosing optimized servers
• Protect your data on public WiFi, so no packet loss or speed dips due to background snooping
• No speed caps: only uninterrupted high-speed browsing and downloading

Using a VPN like VeePN can also give you performance boosts, like faster download speeds and overall network efficiency, beyond just security and privacy.

Now, let’s get into more tips that can speed up your download.

Check your Internet speed first

To verify your actual download speed you can use an online speed test such as Speedtest.net. Most households will find a download speed of at least 25 Mbps adequate to stream, game and conduct video calls, though they will require more Mbps to simultaneously accommodate multiple users or stream in 4K. In case of the slow download speed that is lower than your plan, you can either check with your ISP or switch to a better plan.

Stop unnecessary app downloads and apps

Are you using several devices and having background apps that use your bandwidth? In order to improve your download speed to the maximum, do not download several files simultaneously, but preferably one file at a time. Lift cloud backups (OneDrive, Dropbox), auto-update and close those tabs or apps you do not require in your download session. These will assist you to download files in an effective manner.

Optimize your WiFi

If you’re on WiFi:

• Move closer to the router
• Use the 5GHz band for faster speeds
• Reduce interference from microwaves, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones and other electronic devices, as these devices can disrupt your WiFi performance
• Reboot your router for a fresh start

Better yet, use an ethernet cable for a wired connection whenever possible, as this gives you more stable and faster download speeds than Wi-Fi.

Change DNS servers

Default DNS servers are slow. DNS servers translate domain names into IP addresses which can affect how fast you connect to download sources. Try changing to a faster and more reliable one like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) to potentially speed up downloads.

Disable bandwidth-hogging apps

Check your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to see what apps are using bandwidth. Common culprits are:

• Cloud sync tools
• Streaming platforms
• Torrent clients running in the background

Pause or shut down these apps while downloading large files. Also, disconnect non essential devices from the network to free up bandwidth. Disconnecting devices that are not in use can improve overall network performance. Remember that other users on the same network can impact your download speeds, so coordinating download times may help.

Update network drivers

Outdated network drivers can slow you down. After updating your network drivers, also check if your router’s firmware is up to date, as this can improve network performance. Visit your motherboard or network card manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers for your PC.

Some routers support advanced features that can speed up downloads, so make sure your router supports the latest standards. If you have multiple routers or use a separate modem and router, make sure to check both devices for updates.

Taking these steps can optimize overall network performance.

Use a download manager

A dedicated download manager can help you download files more efficiently by splitting them into smaller parts and downloading them simultaneously, often speeding up the process and letting you pause/resume downloads as you please. A download manager can give you faster downloads especially for large files.

Use a VPN (when it makes sense)

As mentioned earlier, VPNs like VeePN can speed up download in certain situations, such as when:

• Your ISP throttles downloads
• You’re downloading from servers in another country
• Your connection is unstable or frequently drops

Choose the server closest to the file source or the one with the best performance stats for best results.

Scan for malware

Malware or background processes might be eating your bandwidth. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to ensure your PC is clean, then clear temporary files to boost system and download performance.

Limit devices on your network

The more devices on your WiFi, the more competition for bandwidth, which can result in limited bandwidth and slower downloads. Try to limit access during peak download hours.

Change download cache and region settings

If you’re a Steam user, changing your download cache and region settings can make a big difference. Sometimes slow downloads or slow download speeds are caused by network congestion in your current region or a cluttered download cache. To fix this, open Steam and click on Steam then Settings then Downloads and clear your download cache. Clearing the download cache can resolve slow download issues and make your downloads smoother.

Another trick is to change your download region. Steam lets you choose a different download region from the list of available servers. If your current region is congested, switching to a nearby or less busy region can speed up your downloads and get your games faster. By clearing your download cache and trying different download regions, you can optimize your Steam downloads and get better speeds every time you download.

Set up VeePN in 3 easy steps

The fast instructions on how to install VeePN follow:

1. Install VeePN 
2. Open the application and select a high-speed, local server or the one that is near your download source. 
3. Switch VeePN on and begin your safe and (usually) faster downloads. When you have slow downloads, check some basic problems that may slow your Internet connection. 

First, use the Speedtest.net to run a speed test and see where you are standing in terms of speed. Your internet service provider (ISP) could be the one causing problems in terms of slower speeds than anticipated and you may need to call them or upgrade to a faster Internet plan.

Then, go to your PC Task Manager to identify whether any background apps or programs have occupied bandwidth. You may have streaming services, cloud backups and other apps in the background, which slows down your downloads. Terminate all your unused programs so that you can have some bandwidth to your downloads.

In case you continue having slow downloads you should check your download cache or change your download region, in case you are downloading games or large files on websites such as Steam. It is also possible that all you need is to change the region you are in and to avoid the network congestion and get a faster connection.

In case all these do not help you with your slow downloads, perhaps you should think of changing your Internet plan or even changing your internet service provider ISP with one that provides high speed. You can do this by troubleshooting these common problems to determine what is hampering your downloads and take the right measures to improve your download speeds to have a smooth and faster online experience.

Conclusion

Not all the time increasing your download speed means going to another and better ISP, sometimes it means getting the best out of what you already have. The type of Internet connection you use such as fiber optic can be a big difference in the speed at which you download because fiber optic is faster than cable or DSL. Video calls and streaming are the examples of activities that require high-speed and stable connection, then be sure that you have sufficient bandwidth. 

Updating your operating system is useful in ensuring maximum download performance and security. And in the case of speed and privacy, VeePN is a wise and cheap purchase. Either you need to avoid ISP throttling or you simply want a more enjoyable digital life, it is time to give your PC a much-needed boost.
Gettining VeePN gives you the freedom to manage your Internet speed today!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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