Is Astrill Slow? Here’s how to fix it
Is Astrill running super slow on your device? Experiencing slow internet or download speeds can be frustrating, especially when you’re relying on your VPN for secure and efficient browsing. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this. Many users face similar slow speed issues, and the good news is, there are several ways to troubleshoot and improve your Astrill internet download speed.
In this guide, we’ll find out why your Astrill connection is running slow and provide you with practical steps to fix it.
So, let’s dive in and fix your slow Astrill connection once and for all.
Astrill Speed Test
Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, it’s important to confirm if your Astrill is running slow. Here’s how you can test your VPN speed:
- Disconnect Astrill: Start by disconnecting Astrill.
- Astrill Speed Test: Run a speed test on your regular internet connection. You can use online tools like Speedtest.net for this. Note down the download and upload speeds.
- Connect Astrill: Now, connect to Astrill and choose a server. Run the speed test again and compare the results with your previous test.
If your speed is significantly slower when connected to Astrill, then it’s likely that your VPN is the cause of the slowdown.
To test the ping or latency of Astrill, you can use the same speed test tool.
Quick fix
If errors don’t seem to go away, we recommend you switch to a different VPN provider.
We suggest NordVPN since it’s hands down the best VPN on the market right now.
How To Fix A Slow Astrill Connection
In the following sections, we’ll provide you with practical and easy-to-follow steps to fix your slow Astrill internet connection.
1. Change Your Server Location
One of the easiest ways to improve your Astrill speed is to change your server location. The further the server is from your actual location, the slower your internet speed might be. This is due to the time it takes for data to travel back and forth.
Here’s how you can change your server location in Astrill:
- Open the Astrill app on your device.
- You’ll see a map with pins representing different server locations.
- Click on a pin that’s closer to your actual location. For example, if you’re in Europe, try connecting to a server in Europe.
- Once you’ve selected a new server, Astrill will automatically connect to it.
- Run a speed test to see if there’s an improvement in your VPN speed.
Remember, it’s not always about choosing the closest VPN server. Some nearby VPN servers might be congested with many users, which can also slow down your Astrill connection. So a good idea would be to try 3-5 different server locations to get more speed results.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
Your VPN can only be as fast as your internet connection. If your base internet speed is slow, Astrill won’t be able to improve it, and it can make it even slower.
Here’s how you can check and improve your internet connection:
- Disconnect from Astrill: Before starting, ensure you’re disconnected from Astrill. We want to test your base internet speed without the VPN.
- Run a Speed Test: Use an online tool like Speedtest.net to check your internet speed. Note down the results.
- Compare with Your Plan: Compare the speed test results with the speed promised by your internet service provider (ISP). If there’s a significant difference, there might be an issue with your ISP.
- Restart Your Router: Sometimes, simply restarting your router can improve your internet speed. Turn off your router, wait for a minute, and then turn it back on. Rerun the speed test to see if there’s an improvement.
Remember, a good internet connection is the basis of a fast VPN experience. If your internet connection is slow by itself, then it might be even slower when using Astrill.
3. Update Astrill
Running outdated software can sometimes cause issues, including slow download speeds. Astrill regularly releases updates to improve speed performance and fix bugs.
Here’s how you can update Astrill:
- Open the Astrill app on your device.
- Go to the settings menu. A gear icon usually represents this.
- Look for an option that says ‘Update‘ or ‘Check for updates‘.
- If there’s an update available, there should be a prompt to download and install it. Follow the instructions to complete the update.
- Once the update is complete, restart the Astrill app and connect to a server.
- Run a speed test to see if there’s an improvement in your VPN speed.
Another way could be to go straight to the Astrill website and download & install the latest version.
Keeping your Astrill app up-to-date ensures you’re benefiting from the latest improvements and fixes, which can help improve your internet speed while using Astrill.
4. Disable Firewall/Antivirus
Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus software can interfere with Astrill and slow down your speed. While we don’t recommend keeping these security features off permanently, you can disable them temporarily to see if they’re causing the issue. Here’s how:
- Open your firewall or antivirus software. The process will vary depending on the software you’re using.
- Look for an option to disable the software temporarily. This is often found in the settings menu.
- Once you’ve disabled the software, run Astrill and connect to a server.
- Run a speed test to see if there’s an improvement in your VPN speed.
If disabling your firewall or antivirus improves your speed, you might need to add Astrill as an exception in your software’s settings.
5. Switch Astrill Protocols
Different VPN protocols can affect your internet download speed. Some protocols prioritize speed, while others focus on security. Astrill offers multiple protocols, and switching between them might help improve your speed. Here’s how:
- Open the Astrill app on your device.
- Go to the settings menu.
- Look for an option that says ‘VPN protocols‘.
- You’ll see a list of available protocols. Try switching to a different protocol.
- Once you’ve selected a new protocol, reconnect to a VPN server.
- Run a speed test to see if Astrill is still slow.
6. Test a Wired Connection
We get it. Wi-Fi is convenient. But sometimes, it can be a bit of a speed hog, especially when you’re far from the router, or there’s a wall or two in the way. And let’s not even get started on how other devices can interfere with your connection.
So, why not try a wired connection? It’s usually more stable and faster.
Here’s how:
- Grab an Ethernet cable and plug it into your device and your router.
- Once you’re all plugged in, your device should automatically switch over to the wired connection.
- Now, fire up Astrill and connect to a VPN server.
- Run a speed test and see if things are looking up.
Sure, it’s not as convenient as Wi-Fi, but if you’re after speed, it’s definitely worth a shot.
7. Reinstall Astrill
If you’ve tried everything else and your Astrill is still slow, it might be time to try reinstalling the app. Sometimes, files can get corrupted or settings can get mixed up, and a fresh install can set everything right again.
Here’s how:
- First, you’ll need to uninstall Astrill. The process will depend on your device, but it’s usually as simple as finding Astrill in your list of installed apps and clicking ‘Uninstall‘.
- Once you’ve uninstalled Astrill, restart your device. This can help clear out any leftover files.
- Now, head over to the Astrill website and download the latest version of the app.
- Install Astrill, then open the app and sign in with your account.
- Connect to a server and run a speed test to see if there’s an improvement.
Why is Astrill running slow?
There could be several reasons why your Astrill is running slower than expected. Understanding these factors can help you pinpoint the issue, find the right solution, and avoid future speed issues.
Here are some potential culprits:
- Server Distance: The further the VPN server is from your actual location, the slower your speed might be. This is due to the time it takes for data to travel back and forth.
- Bandwidth Limitations: If your internet service provider (ISP) has bandwidth limitations or if there’s heavy traffic on your network, your VPN speed could be affected.
- Device Issues: Sometimes, the problem might not be with Astrill or your internet connection but with the device you’re using. Older devices, in particular, might struggle to handle high-speed VPN connections.
- Encryption Strength: Astrill uses strong encryption to keep your data secure. While this is great for privacy, it can slow down your connection as it takes time to encrypt and decrypt data.
- VPN Protocol: The type of VPN protocol you’re using can also impact your speed. Some protocols prioritize speed, while others focus on security.
- Routing: Sometimes, the route your connection takes to reach the server can cause slowdowns and slow download speeds while using Astrill. This is often out of your control, but switching to a different server can help.
