A VPN reroutes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server, so some speed loss is normal. However, if your connection feels unusably sluggish, a few simple adjustments usually restore most of your original bandwidth.

• Switch to a closer server: Distance matters. Connecting to a server on another continent adds latency and reduces throughput, so pick the nearest location that still meets your needs.
• Try WireGuard instead of OpenVPN: Modern protocols like WireGuard are significantly faster on the same hardware. If your provider offers it, switch protocols in the app settings.
• Check your base connection first: Run a speed test with the VPN off. If your internet is already slow, no VPN tweak will help.
• Test different servers and times: Congested servers get slower during peak hours. Many providers show live load percentages, so choose a lightly loaded one.

In short, connect to a nearby, lightly loaded server and use a modern protocol, and your VPN speed should become more than adequate for daily use.