VPN Speed Issues (VPN Router)

Speed through a VPN Router depends on your ISP’s routing to our network, your router model’s maximum, and how devices connect to it. Work through these:

1. Know your model’s ceiling — Lite ~30 Mbps, Pro ~90 Mbps, Pro 6 200 Mbps+. If your broadband is faster than your model’s maximum, the router is the limit, not the VPN.

2. Test properly — on a device on the VPN WiFi, run speedtest.net against a London server (e.g. RETN). Compare with a test on your normal ISP WiFi.

3. Use the right WiFi band — on Pro models connect streaming devices to the -5G network; on the Lite, move the router close to the device or use a LAN cable.

4. Change server — log in > Manage Router > pick another server, then power-cycle the router. European buffering? Ask for (or pick) an L2TP server.

5. Wired beats WiFi — a LAN cable from router to TV/box removes WiFi loss entirely.

Speed comparison

Virgin Media ISP with Lite and Pro VPN Router speed tests.

Switching encryption mode

Most VPN Router models can switch between L2TP and PPTP; the Pro (Black version only) also supports OpenVPN. Log in at your account and select Manage Router to change modes. OpenVPN is our most popular option (Black Pro only) and L2TP is a higher grade of encryption than PPTP, but speed can vary between the three — it’s worth testing each at speedtest.net. If using PPTP, check that PPTP Passthrough is enabled on your ISP router (this setting is usually in your ISP router’s advanced/firewall settings — ask support if you can’t find it).

Getting an accurate reading

The built-in speed test on some devices (e.g. MAG boxes) is known to be unreliable. Instead test using fast.com or speedtest.net, either wired to the router from a PC/Mac, or over WiFi from a computer, phone or tablet.

• Can my ISP throttle my VPN Router speed? See our guide on ISP throttling.

Before you contact support

We always recommend a full reboot first:

1. Power off both your ISP router and VPN Router.

2. Wait 1 minute, then power up your ISP router.

3. Wait at least 2 minutes for it to fully reboot.

4. Power up the VPN Router and wait at least 2 minutes more for it to connect to the VPN network.