Nothing is more frustrating than subscribing to a premium VPN service only to experience sluggish speeds. If your Surfshark connection feels slow, you’re not alone—and there are proven fixes.

This guide covers 10 practical solutions, from simple tweaks to advanced settings adjustments, that can dramatically improve your Surfshark speed.

Why Is Your Surfshark Connection Slow?

VPN speed depends on several factors: server distance, server load, protocol choice, and your base internet speed. Identifying which factor is causing your slowdown is the first step to fixing it.

Before trying fixes, run a speed test without Surfshark connected and another with it connected. Compare the results to measure your baseline.

10 Solutions to Fix Surfshark Slow Connection

1. Switch to a Closer Server

Physical distance is the single biggest speed factor. Connecting to a server in your same country—ideally the same city—typically yields 10–30% better speeds than a server across the continent.

Surfshark’s server list is extensive. Always check if there’s a server within 100 miles of your location before settling on a distant one.

2. Try a Different Server (Same Country)

Server load varies throughout the day. A server that’s overcrowded during peak hours might be empty at 3 AM. Try 2–3 different servers in your target country to find the fastest one.

3. Change Your VPN Protocol

Surfshark supports multiple protocols: WireGuard (fastest), OpenVPN UDP (good balance), and IKEv2 (stable for mobile). WireGuard consistently delivers the best speeds on modern hardware.

To change protocol in Surfshark app: Settings → Connection → Protocol → Select WireGuard

4. Use a Wired Connection Instead of WiFi

WiFi introduces latency and speed loss, especially on crowded networks. If possible, connect your device directly to your router via Ethernet cable for maximum VPN speeds.

5. Disable Your Firewall or Security Suite Temporarily

Overly aggressive security software can slow VPN traffic. Try disabling your firewall temporarily to test if it’s the bottleneck. If speeds improve, add Surfshark to your firewall’s allowed apps list.

6. Clear Your DNS Cache

DNS caching can cause routing issues that slow your connection. Flush your DNS cache:

• Windows: Open CMD as admin, run ipconfig /flushdns
• Mac: Run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in Terminal

7. Try Split Tunneling

Surfshark’s split tunneling feature lets you route specific apps outside the VPN tunnel. By excluding bandwidth-heavy apps that don’t need VPN protection, you can free up speed for apps that do.

8. Check Your Base Internet Speed

A VPN can’t magically improve your underlying internet speed. If your ISP plan is limited to 50 Mbps, your VPN speed won’t exceed that either. Run a speed test to confirm your base speed before blaming the VPN.

9. Update Your Surfshark App

Outdated apps may contain performance bugs or compatibility issues. Check for updates in the Surfshark app or download the latest version from their website.

10. Contact Surfshark Support

If none of the above solutions work, reach out to Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat support. They can check server status in your region and suggest specific servers optimized for your location.

When to Use Which Fix

Use this quick-reference guide to pick the right fix:

• 10–20% speed loss: Switch server, try WireGuard protocol
• 30–50% speed loss: Change to closer server, use wired connection
• 50%+ speed loss: Disable firewall, clear DNS cache, contact support

Common Questions About Surfshark Speed

Does Surfshark slow down internet speed?

All VPNs add some overhead due to encryption. With Surfshark on WireGuard protocol, speed loss is typically 5–15% on nearby servers—barely noticeable for most activities.

Which Surfshark protocol is fastest?

WireGuard is the fastest protocol available on Surfshark, typically 30% faster than OpenVPN UDP and significantly faster than IKEv2.

Can I use Surfshark for streaming without buffering?

Yes. On servers optimized for streaming (Surfshark marks these in-app), you can stream Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms in 4K with minimal buffering.

Why is Surfshark slower at night?

Server congestion during peak hours is the most likely cause. Try switching to a different server or testing during off-peak hours to confirm.

Does Surfshark have a speed limit?

Surfshark imposes no artificial speed limits. Your maximum speed is determined by your ISP plan and server distance.