Private Internet Access (VPN) Slow Speeds

[Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 16:59
Last edited 09/10/2018 - 17:36 by 1 other user

Hello, has any other Private internet access VPN users experienced slow speeds? I’ve noticed that in the last few months it gets extremely slow especially around 7:30-11:30pm?
It’s not my isp because when this happens I’ll disconnect and the internet will go as fast as normal. I’ve determined it’s the VPN and it happens EVERY night now.

I can’t seem to find a fix for this issue and their support usually take some time to reply so I thought I’d try my luck here first.

Anyone else experienced this issue? Have you found a fix?

Internet VPN

Related Stores

Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access

Comments

  • thedriver on 09/10/2018 - 17:14

    What endpoint are you connecting to? Have you tried a different endpoint?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 17:22

      Usually Melbourne or Sydney. Yes I have tried multiple servers, multiple times and all are the same. I have to use tcp connection. Udp simply didn’t work at all when I switched to nbn

      • Quantumcat on 09/10/2018 - 17:26

        What about if you try a country with a different time zone, or even Perth?

        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 17:30

          I have tried different time zones, I haven’t found one that isn’t just as slow. No I haven’t tried Perth as pia doesn’t have a server in Perth. They only have Sydney and Melbourne.

  • thedriver on 09/10/2018 - 17:56
    +1

    You could also try using the PIA browser extension and see if that makes a difference.
    Log a support request with PIA and see what they say.

    You can test your speed through PIA as well - https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/
    Also try a speed test site like fast.com or speedtest.net. Compare your VPN and non-VPN results on the same site. You could provide these to PIA in your support request.

    Consider what DNS servers you're using too. You might find you're able to reduce your latency and increase speed by changing DNS servers try Google (8.8.8.8) or Quad1 (1.1.1.1).

    • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:07

      For my needs the browser extension isn’t an option.

      Made a support request but like I said they usually take a while to reply.

      Done the speed test as well and if I’m lucky it will actually load the pages. Without the VPN on I get normally around 45-47mb on pia’s network page and Speedtest.net

      I’m not interested in changing my Dns to googles, plus i can’t see that helping as this isn’t a issue all the time, usually only certain times of the night and without the VPN I don’t have a problem.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 09/10/2018 - 18:19

        DNS can have an effect, especially if (and I don't know) PIA are hosting their resolvers in the US.

        I use cloudflare's 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1 and with torguard it is FAST. If I use TG's own DNS resolvers it ranges from painfully slow to normal.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:21

          I only experience these slow speeds at certain times of the day though… this morning I was getting 45mb/s with the VPN on. How could the dns work in the morning/day but not at night?

          • o53djz7qTPY4der on 09/10/2018 - 18:23

            @[Deactivated]: Perhaps your route to PIA's DNS servers at certain times is less congested than others? I'm not certain that changing DNS will help but it can't hurt to try.

            • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:36

              @o53djz7qTPY4der: Tried it. Googles dns and 1.1.1.1. No effect.

              • thedriver on 09/10/2018 - 18:40

                @[Deactivated]: Does that mean the PIA VPN connection is painfully slow for you currently?
                What speed test do you get through the VPN?

                • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:44

                  @thedriver: Yes. Under 0.50mb/s with high pings, if it even loads

      • rompastompa on 09/10/2018 - 18:23
        +1

        plus i can’t see that helping

        The DNS server will give you the route to the VPN server. Your current (ISP or otherwise) might be going through a congested pipe during peak periods. Your DNS server will try the 'cheapest' route.

        It's worth trying to at least test whether it makes a difference.

        Do a trace route on while connected to each DNS server and see, you might be surprised on the speeds/hops each one takes.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:46

          Tried this, trace is still going, about 5 min now
          Edit;
          This is the first time it’s been before 7pm

  • Xetrok on 09/10/2018 - 18:23

    I can easily reach 45mbit using my 50mbit NBN hitting the sydney server was doing so the other night around 10pm.
    Maybe your provider didn't buy enough CVC for peak?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 18:35

      Is that with PIA connected? Without Pia connected i get over 45mb/s as well.

      • thedriver on 09/10/2018 - 18:51

        These were my results just now (Client Mudgee, AU 137.59.252.146 Server(s) Sydney, AU | Blacktown, AU):

        Direct to ISP PIA VPN connected
        54 mbps down 52 mbps down
        14 mbps up 14 mbps up
        11 ms ping 12 ms ping
        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 19:01

          ISP. Pia
          42.33. 0.25 down
          13.40. 0.56 up
          42.28 ping. 364.33 ping

          Done on Pia network speed test, Speedtest.net wouldn’t load while connected to pia

        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 19:20

          Is your connection type tcp or udp?

      • Xetrok on 09/10/2018 - 19:27

        Yes, via PIA. UDP.

        Try different client versions.

        Latest: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/downloads
        v75: https://installers.privateinternetaccess.com/download/pia-v7…

        • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 19:40

          I went back as far as v68 and even tried their new v82

          As soon as I switched to nbn udp doesn’t work at all for me.i have to use tcp

          • thedriver on 09/10/2018 - 20:17

            @[Deactivated]: Consider testing another VPN client (maybe ExpressVPN, IPVanish, TunnelBear or NordVPN), just as a test to see if UDP is having the same problem. You can sign up for free one week trial.

            To me it sounds like your ISP. Who is?

            • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 20:40

              @thedriver: But if it was a isp issue why is it that I get full speed without the VPN?
              I’m with “Mate communicate”

              • Flamo on 24/10/2018 - 20:33

                @[Deactivated]: Hey mate I know this post is a couple of weeks old but just wanted to throw my hat in the ring. I'm also getting slow speeds with PIA connecting to Aussie servers at the same times as you. Also with Mate on NBN FTTP.

                Did you end up resolving this or are you still having speed issues? I'm getting about 1mbps with PIA and 45 without. It's ridiculous.

                • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2018 - 21:35

                  @Flamo: I’m still having the issue. You’re lucky that you get 1mbps, I usually get way under that.
                  I canceled mates and will be moving to another isp in a couple of weeks, it’ll be interesting to see if it still happens or not after the move.

                  Do you also have to use tcp protocol?

                  • Flamo on 25/10/2018 - 11:15

                    @[Deactivated]: No, I'm using UDP (have been since the start). I've found that the Australian servers on PIA seem to have their IP addresses blacklisted as well. I'm always getting captchas, Creative Cloud can't connect, etc. I'm looking around now for an alternative VPN because this is getting pretty irritating.

                  • Flamo on 25/10/2018 - 20:03

                    @[Deactivated]: EDIT 1: Forget all that. Tested it again now at 7:30 and it's shit. Going through all the ports on TCP/UDP and will report back.

                    EDIT 2: Yep they're all shit. Don't bother trying this.

                    Hey mate, I emailed support and they suggested changing the remote port in the PIA app's settings. I've put mine on 1194 and did a speed test, I'm getting full speed - same as if I wasn't even connected.

                    Try changing your port (if 1194 doesn't work try the others) and see how you go! Good luck!

                  • Flamo on 27/10/2018 - 09:07

                    @[Deactivated]: Ok, tried this last night and got full speed connected to PIA on Mate. Give it a shot. You need to adjust your MTU values to 1400.

                    Go:
                    Start -> Run -> type in "PowerShell" - right click it and Run as Administrator
                    type in: netsh int ipv4 show subinterface - this will show you the various connections and their current MTU value
                    type in: netsh int ipv4 set subinterface "Local Area Connection(replace this with what your connection is called, keep the apostrophes)" mtu=1400 store=persistent

                    Now adjust the MTU value for the VPN TAP adapter:

                    Press and hold the "Windows Key" on your keyboard and while holding it press "R" - (WinKey+R)
                    This will open the "Run" window with the "Open:" field
                    Type in "devmgmt.msc" and press "OK" or hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard
                    The "Device Manager" window should appear
                    Click on "Network Adapters"
                    Right click "TAP-Windows Adapter V9"
                    Click the “Advanced” tab on the top.
                    In the Advanced tab click the option “MTU”, the default value should be “1500” Reduce your MTU to 1400

                    Also check the MTU in the WAN settings on your router. Mine was set to 1492, I changed it to 1400 as well.

                    Good luck!

                    • Flamo on 30/10/2018 - 17:27

                      @Flamo: Just following up for anyone who is interested, this also didn't work. I got full speed one night but it shit itself the next night. The official line from PIA after trying all their suggestions is to disconnect and reconnect until I get a faster server. What a load of crap.

                    • [Deactivated] on 31/10/2018 - 21:41
                      +1

                      @Flamo: Thank you for all that info but I’m not doing that. I’ve never liked messing around with system reg. I’m about to switch nbn providers, I really do not like mates communicate, I’ll report back when I’ve switched over to how my connection is then.
                      again, thank you for that info it might help someone at some point

                      • Paul Har on 13/11/2018 - 22:00

                        @[Deactivated]: Melbournebargain. Are you still having speed issues whilst using a VPN on MATE. I have the same issue. Have tried all the solutions provided by PIA. Did you find a solution? More info on a new post on this page

            • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2018 - 20:53

              @thedriver: So I tested on tunnelbear and I got full speeds and on udp, sounds like it’s pia being a problem right?

              • thedriver on 11/10/2018 - 22:30

                @[Deactivated]: Was this at the same time as PIA was slow?
                If so, I'd email your test results for both to PIA and complain about your speed.

  • HeWhoKnows on 10/10/2018 - 11:51
    -1

    More information needed

    Which VPN?
    Which package?

    If its the free package then this is what to expect

    My question to OP is why are you continually running under VPN?
    Its not necessary.

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 10/10/2018 - 12:31

      All my machines in my home are permanently connected to a VPN.

      It is neccessary if you object to Australia's data retention laws. It is the equivalent to the government opening all my mail.

      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-13/metadata-retention-sch…

      • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2018 - 13:53

        @Xiongmao Exactly this!

    • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2018 - 13:53

      Which VPN? You clearly didn’t read any of this post.

  • lissi88 on 15/10/2018 - 22:38

    I dumped PIA quite long back, currently, I use NordVPN, get some good speed with it.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2018 - 21:27
      +1

      I would “dump” them too but I have another year left on my two year subscription..

      • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 13:10

        Tether your smartphone to your PC and connect to PIA. Do you get improved speed?
        If you do blame your ISP who uses Vocus.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2018 - 21:27

      What are you talking about!?

      • rompastompa on 31/10/2018 - 21:45

        Open your curtains for light speed.

  • Paul Har on 13/11/2018 - 21:48

    Melbournebargain. Are you still having speed issues whilst using a VPN on MATE. I have the same issue. Speed using VPN (PIA) during non peak times is good. Around 7pm every night (peak hours) & weekends my speed using VPN drops dramatically, can get down to .05meg. Disconnecting the VPN speed goes back to normal. Used another VPN with the same results. Tested my speed on another ISP and speed is good with VPN or VPN disconnect. Appears to be at MATE's end. Did you find a solution?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2018 - 10:35

      I’m switching to another isp today/tomorrow and I have a feeling it’ll be better but we will see. So far nothing that Pia suggests or any other suggestions on the Internet has given me and results.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2018 - 20:52

    First night with the new isp and i have full speed! First time in months with full speed at night. I’m even running on udp connection without a problem. Seems like mate communicate is the problem not pia!

    • HardQuiz on 17/11/2018 - 06:20

      Thank you for reporting back.

      Did you go with Aussie BB ?

      • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2018 - 19:25

        I did, I took advantage of one of their free month offers.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join