How to Speed Up Torrents & Block Throttling – vpnMentor
Have you ever experienced a sudden drop in your internet speed right when you’re about to start catching up on Netflix? Or maybe, it’s taking a strangely long time to download your favorite game?
You might be experiencing one of the most annoying tricks internet service providers (ISPs) use against their customers: bandwidth throttling.
Bandwidth throttling stops you from using too much of the ISPs bandwidth via streaming, downloading, and peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing. We call it a trick because it’s done secretly, without your knowledge or permission, as a cost-saving exercise for the ISP.
As we’ll explain further below, a VPN is the quickest, easiest, and most effective way to bypass throttling. By encrypting your data, a VPN hides your online activity from your ISP, so they can’t target you for streaming, downloading, or torrenting.
It only takes a few minutes to install one, and the benefits go far beyond just bypassing throttling.
Quick Guide: Bypass Throttling with a VPN
Choose a VPN with a large number of optimized servers. We recommend ExpressVPN.
Install the VPN and connect to a server close to your location. This will guarantee a fast connection.
Go online and enjoy uninterrupted, stable speeds no matter what you’re doing.
Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Now!
What is Bandwidth Throttling?
Put simply: The deliberate slowing down of your internet connection, based on your online activity.
Your internet service provider (ISP) hosts all the data you send and receive online. This allows them to track everything you do on their network. They can also control your available data and internet connection.
An ISP automatically analyzes your data to determine what you are browsing; the websites and apps you’re using; and what you’re downloading, uploading, and sharing.
Based on all this information, an ISP will flag any activity they deem problematic and take action.
The most common action that most internet users experience – often without knowing – is a slower internet connection. If you’re flagged for downloading large data files, P2P sharing, or HD streaming (including Netflix), your ISP may reduce the bandwidth available to you.
Why Do ISPs Throttle Your Bandwidth?
There are two main reasons ISPs throttling users’ bandwidth: cost cutting and legal issues.
1. Cutting Costs
ISPs have a fixed bandwidth and data processing capacity that they split between all their customers. This means there is only a certain amount of bandwidth available to a large pool of people. If some customers are using a lot of that bandwidth, it creates congestion in the network and slows other users’ connections. It also increases costs for the ISP, as they must process extra data.
ISPs have two options to resolve this issue: improve their infrastructure or restrict the bandwidth available to each user. They almost always prefer the second option, and use throttling to achieve it. This way, they don’t have to pay to upgrade their infrastructure to meet the increased data demand.
Even if you’re paying for unlimited internet, if you’re streaming and downloading content, your ISP might still be secretly restricting your connection.
2. Legal Issues
Everybody knows the legal dangers of torrenting and P2P sharing. While many people use both legally, plenty of internet users continue to download and share copyright protected material illegally.
As a result, legal groups around the world have put pressure on ISPs to track and block all torrenting activities. It doesn’t matter if you don’t download copyrighted material. By torrenting anything, you will immediately be flagged by your ISP.
Your internet connection will be slowed down, to restrict you from downloading large data files – regardless of their copyright status. You may also lose your internet contract with your ISP.
This protects the ISP legally, while putting you in jeopardy and disrupting your ability to use the internet. If you want to continue streaming and downloading legal material with ease, you need to bypass the throttling.
Using a VPN to Bypass Throttling
The most effective way to bypass throttling is to hide your online activity from your ISP. If they can’t track your data and browsing activity, they won’t be able to restrict it.
The good news is it’s actually incredibly easy to do. All you need is a great VPN and a few minutes to install it.
A VPN encrypts your data and passes it through a protective ‘tunnel’ within your ISPs network. You can also use the VPN to connect to a server in a different location, outside of your local area, and even your country. These two features, along with many other security tools, block your ISP from monitoring and accessing your data.
With the ISP unable to track the data you send and receive on their network, you can’t be flagged for streaming, downloading, torrenting, or any other activity that drains their bandwidth.
Many of the best VPNs also offer specialized servers dedicated to activities that require large amounts of data and extra privacy. For example, ExpressVPN has servers all over the world dedicated to streaming, P2P sharing, and much more.
The Best VPN to Bypass Throttling: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the overall highest-rated VPN amongst our readers. With industry-leading, military-grade privacy tools and over 3, 000 speed-optimized servers across the globe, it’s perfect for hiding your online activity from your ISP.
By connecting to a ExpressVPN server, you enjoy the security of AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and much more. All of these features combine to ensure your ISP will never be able to track what apps and websites you’re using, or online games you’re playing.
As a result, not only will your connection be more stable, it might even be faster than usual. You can try ExpressVPN out, risk-free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Install it on your devices for a month and see the difference it makes.
Bypass ISP Throttling on iPhone or Android
A VPN is the best option to overcome bandwidth throttling on smartphones. It disables any restriction your ISP puts on your internet speed and stabilizes your network connection.
Follow these simple steps:
Choose a VPN with a great smartphone app. We recommend ExpressVPN, which you can sync up to your laptop or computer for faster installation.
Download and install the application on your iPhone or Android device.
Connect to the appropriate VPN server.
Enjoy fast, stable browsing on any app or website.
Summary
ISP throttling is one of the most frustrating issues for internet users today. You could be a victim and never even know, because your ISP will do it without any warning. They’ll also probably never admit to it – after all, you’re paying for a fast internet connection. By deliberately slowing yours down, ISPs are acting dishonestly and maybe even illegally.
With all this secrecy, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from throttling is to bypass it altogether. By using a VPN to bypass throttling, you can save yourself from hours of frustrating and unpredictably slow internet in a few quick, easy steps.
You’ll also enjoy the benefits of safer, more private internet. We suggest trying out ExpressVPN to see the difference it makes. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to new subscribers, so you can decide for yourself, risk-free.
Further Reading
Bypassing ISP throttles is just one of the many benefits of using a VPN. Learn all about them in our complete beginners’ guide.
If you can’t decide which VPN is best for you, check our rankings for the very best.
Still not sure? Make the most of these incredible VPN discounts and coupons.
Privacy Alert!
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we’ve tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it’s currently offering 49% off.
Visit ExpressVPN
How To Bypass ISP Throttling Without VPN? – Internet Access Guide
Bypass ISP Throttling Without VPN
ISP throttling or commonly known as ‘bandwidth throttling’ is a way of slowing down the bandwidth of a user, and that on purpose. It is the intentional lowering of the bandwidth or speed of an internet connection. It can either happen between the service provider and your device or the website and your device. To decrease the congestion over their network, ISPs throttle the bandwidth several times in a day. This saves them more time and they process less amount of data.
Moreover, ISPs also throttle the bandwidth so that the users buy the expensive services and packages where they do not limit the bandwidth. In short, it is a way for them to encourage their users to upgrade their internet package or internet plan. Internet Service Providers claim that they throttle the bandwidth to ensure every single person gets access to the internet of what they are paying for.
These internet service providers also throttle different kinds of traffic onto their network. This includes streaming applications and services such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix, etc. They also throttle the torrenting traffic. It usually takes place when the internet service provider thinks that you have used too much of the data and have reached your usual data cap.
ISPs such as Comcast, Charter, and even Cox Communications used different applications to throttle the bandwidth of their customers. This significant drop in bandwidth many times in a day may get frustrating, especially for gamers who play games online. The throttling of the bandwidth makes it impossible for gamers to play because of the latency they face.
Games usually require faster inputs for movements in the game, but throttling of the bandwidth makes you want to quit the game. Websites that are mostly throttled by the internet service providers are the ones that offer HD streaming, gaming, or file sharing. There are many ways to bypass throttling. You can bypass ISP throttling without a VPN as well.
There are many ways to detect that if the internet service provider is throttling the bandwidth. The first way to check the speed of the internet is by conducting a speed test. Commonly people use the Ookla’s Speed Test because of its efficiency. The other common way to detect throttling is by the Internet Health Test. Speed tests are not enough as most of the throttling usually occurs at a very protocol level. They are responsible for the restrictions of your video streaming and drop your resolution low.
Stop ISP Throttling
Using a VPN is the most effective and the best way possible to detect and fix the throttling problems that internet service providers create. A virtual private network hides all kinds of traffic that flow between the network and the entire internet. The IP address is masked and the data is encrypted.
The protective layer of encryption on the data that is flowing between the network and the internet prevents the ISPs to see what websites, protocols, or services their customer is using. This also stops them from separating the traffic from your network, as it is protected and encrypted. Using a high-quality VPN such as Express VPN or IP Vanish is the best solution to overcome this problem.
It is the same with ISP throttling faced by many people on their mobile phones or tablets. Using a VPN does the trick there as well. There is no need to worry as VPNs keep the user safe on any platform. Free VPNs are not preferable for this at all. The features a good high quality should have are:
A Kill Switch
A no-log policy
Offers enhanced security
Offers protection from a DNS leak
Many server locations available
Many servers available to choose from
Offers DDOS protection
The second and probably the only option to avoid ISP throttling is to choose another ISP that will let you utilize your internet and bandwidth with ease. Gamers prefer a provider that has no data caps and that provides them the high bandwidth they pay for. A cable provider has more chances of throttling your bandwidth than a FIOS internet service.
However, many people do not have options to choose from, many areas do not have enough ISPs available for the people. That makes using a VPN to avoid this is the better option. Many people still do not trust VPN services to protect them or help them in different problems.
So can you bypass ISP throttling without a VPN? The answer is both ‘No’ and ‘Yes’. There have been many problems regarding ISP throttling that were resolved without using a VPN. First, the customer needs to know what throttling is and how it is being done. To make it look like it is something else, encapsulating the traffic using a specific application is the best way.
The VPN takes away your ISP’s ability to find out the data and traffic flow between you and the internet. That way the data is encrypted and that provides you the privacy you need. A VPN does not help in reducing bandwidth consumption at all. Anyways, here are some ways to avoid ISP throttling without using a VPN:
By renegotiating the internet package or plan with the internet service provider. Ask them to provide the minimum bandwidth required for the streaming or gaming you need.
One can create a proxy server of his or her own. The server will reroute the traffic to the website through the proxy. It will look like the user is on a specific server and the provider will not be able to access the website directly. However, this trick does not always work, as ISPs are aware of this now.
The customer can just simply upgrade the internet package if he or she wants to avoid ISP throttling. This way the customer will gain more download speeds, HD streaming, and even latency-less gaming experience.
These are the only viable ways to bypass ISP throttling without a VPN. People who do not want to use a VPN or simply do not want to risk their privacy by using a VPN can follow many ways to avoid ISP throttling but in the end, using a VPN is the best solution.
VPNs are not specifically used to avoid ISP throttling but they help you become anonymous online to everyone on the internet. No one can track your activities, not even your internet service provider.
What Is ISP Throttling? Why It Happens & How to Stop It | AVG
What is internet throttling?
Internet throttling is when your internet service provider (ISP) slows down your internet on purpose. They can limit bandwidth whenever they want, and you might not notice. But when Netflix gets choppy or Facebook takes minutes to load, your ISP may be limiting data transmission over your connection.
Slow loading times don’t always indicate internet throttling — you might be browsing during peak hours, or you might need to do some browser maintenance.
But maybe your ISP is deliberately impeding your connection to those sites. This may happen because you visit those sites frequently, or maybe your ISP’s available bandwidth is overloaded and they need to throttle your connection.
Internet throttling violates the principle of net neutrality, which states that ISPs must give equal treatment to all communications over the internet.
In the worst-case scenario, you might be kept from doing your work or other important tasks. What’s more, your ISP can keep providing subpar service with impunity. That’s an anti-consumer business practice, and it keeps the internet from being freely accessible to everyone.
If your internet connection has a real effect on your daily life, you should pay attention to the issue of internet throttling.
How can I tell if my internet is being throttled?
If your internet is slower than normal, especially on certain websites, this may indicate that data throttling is happening on your connection. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed here, ask yourself: Is my internet being throttled?
Your internet has become slower than usual, or your Wi-Fi connection is choppy or broken.
Certain websites or services load slower than others.
Your download speeds are suffering.
Your videos are constantly buffering or lagging.
Some websites seem to be blocked or non-functional.
If you don’t experience slowdowns often, you don’t need to worry about data throttling. But if you do, the next step is to use an internet throttling test, which analyzes your internet speed and lets you know if it’s being messed with. And there are other services that help you spot connection abnormalities.
Here are the three easiest ways to check if your ISP is throttling your internet connection:
Option 1: Use the Internet Health Test to see how your internet performs over a short period of time. This test checks your connection speed to popular access points and detects any unusual slowdowns. Here’s what good results tend to look like:
This test detects whether your ISP is slowing down streaming platforms like Netflix. The ISP can use this tactic as a bargaining chip to get the streaming service to pay them, which is unfair to you.
Option 2: Check if certain ports are blocked. Gamers will want to go to, click Port Scanners, and then click Game Ports. This advice is relevant only if you use an open port while gaming online and have recently begun experiencing issues.
You should worry only if a game you play is coming back with a “Timed-Out” status. The first step in that case is to try port forwarding, if you haven’t done so already.
If you’ve been comfortably using one of these ports, and it suddenly hits you with a “Rejected” status, you might have a problem with throttling.
Option 3: Check if the speed of your internet changes when using a VPN. The simplest way to see if your internet is being throttled is to turn on a VPN (virtual private network) and compare the speed. Though your VPN may slow down your internet slightly, the difference is nothing compared to ISP throttling — and you can always make your VPN connection go faster.
If your internet is faster with your VPN on, your ISP might be throttling your internet. So why don’t you just keep your VPN on all the time? Great question!
Solving content-based ISP throttling is one of the many benefits to using a VPN. A virtual private network also encrypts your data to prevent your ISP from monitoring what you do. Encryption secures your internet browsing, making any connection safe — including unsecured public Wi-Fi networks — as long as you’ve got the VPN turned on.
AVG Secure VPN is carefully designed to give you world-class online security, keep you anonymous while you browse, and bring the whole internet to your fingertips. Try it today with a 7-day free trial.
How to stop internet throttling
You can stop internet throttling by changing your ISP or hiding your internet activity with a VPN. Here are the best ways to stop internet throttling:
Switch to a new internet service provider.
Self-regulate your bandwidth use.
Upgrade your internet plan to a higher data cap.
Use a VPN.
Your ISP might have a policy on network throttling that you can find on their website — look in the terms and conditions for anything that mentions bandwidth limits, data caps, or similar terms. You can also learn about their throttling policies by reading user reviews. If you can’t or don’t want to switch ISPs, use a VPN.
How does a VPN stop internet throttling?
By encrypting your internet connection, a VPN prevents your ISP from monitoring your online activity and throttling you because of it. While your ISP can still impose limits on your total bandwidth use, you’ll no longer need to be worried about your activity compromising your connection.
VPNs are easy to set up, and masking your activity is a surefire way to stop your ISP from limiting your access to certain websites and services. And by hiding your IP address, VPNs open up your streaming and TV options significantly. (If you’re on mobile, check out our guide to setting up a mobile VPN. )
With military-grade encryption, AVG Secure VPN is the best VPN to stop internet throttling. Your internet use will stay hidden, protecting you against content-based internet throttling by your ISP. Whether your ISP is actually throttling your internet or not, go with the option that ensures they won’t.
Why is my ISP throttling my internet?
Your ISP may throttle your internet to try to minimize congestion by managing traffic on its network. Throttling can also happen if you’ve reached your data cap (usage limit) within a given period. Only when throttling is used against you should you do something about it. In the meantime, you can also try boosting your Wi-Fi signal to see if that speeds things up.
The most common reasons your ISP throttles your internet connection and limits your data transmission speeds include:
Tackling network congestion
Heavy internet usage will slow down the internet speeds of other people in the same area. To compensate, ISPs may throttle the connection of anyone using high amounts of bandwidth. You may experience slower speeds for a little while, especially if you’ve been engaging in bandwidth-heavy activities, but this usually occurs only during short “rush hour” periods.
Usage regulation
Your connection can become deprioritized if you’ve used a certain amount of bandwidth during the billing period — especially if your internet contract has a data cap. Even “unlimited” plans often have unofficial data caps. Your connection could be the first to get throttled in periods of network congestion, or your speeds might stay reduced until the next cycle starts.
If your work or other activity requires a stable, high-speed connection for hours at a time, look closely at your ISP’s policies on data use. Gamers will want the best setup possible, especially if they’re competing or streaming on Twitch.
Deprioritization of certain services
In many places, ISPs are allowed to limit access to streaming services as part of their efforts to manage everyone’s connections. But you shouldn’t be deprived of parts of the internet for arbitrary reasons totally unrelated to you. Likewise, those who want to stream without buffering might want to try a different ISP — if there are options where you live.
Is ISP throttling illegal?
ISP throttling is not illegal, and sometimes, it’s even necessary. Your connection would be much choppier if your ISP wasn’t allowed to manage usage over its network. Throttling allows your ISP to ensure stable service for everyone using the internet. But there are some ways that throttling can be unethical.
Net neutrality in the US
In the US, ISPs weren’t always allowed to throttle particular applications and services. But when the country’s net neutrality rules were repealed in 2018, these limits were removed. Now, ISPs are no longer legally required to treat all internet traffic equally.
ISPs are also allowed to make you pay for the “fast lane, ” something that wasn’t possible under net neutrality regulations. You’re presented with the “choice” to go with a standard connection or a marked-up package.
You might not have noticed the effects of net neutrality’s repeal, but an open and ethical internet provides equal opportunity to all. When the rulebook favors the corporate bottom line, you might be prevented from making a career pivot to online teaching or Twitch streaming. Net neutrality is an issue that concerns us all.
Bypass throttling with a VPN
AVG Secure VPN encrypts your online activity with a single click or tap. No matter where you are, your internet connection will be safe from prying eyes, with everything you do completely hidden.
If you’re looking for the simplest throttle bypass, AVG Secure VPN will prevent ISPs from limiting any online activity they don’t like. And with your IP address masked, you’ll be able to unblock websites, avoid IP-based web tracking, and prevent location-based price discrimination.
Take back the internet for yourself today, and try AVG Secure VPN with a 7-day free trial.
Frequently Asked Questions about bypass throttling with vpn
How do I stop throttling without a VPN?
Anyways, here are some ways to avoid ISP throttling without using a VPN:By renegotiating the internet package or plan with the internet service provider. … One can create a proxy server of his or her own. … The customer can just simply upgrade the internet package if he or she wants to avoid ISP throttling.Jun 1, 2020
How do I stop bandwidth throttling?
Here are the best ways to stop internet throttling:Switch to a new internet service provider.Self-regulate your bandwidth use.Upgrade your internet plan to a higher data cap.Use a VPN.May 19, 2021