How To Stop Netflix Throttling and Regain Your Speed Back

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If you love to stream movies on Netflix, you know that streaming on Netflix isn’t as easy as it sounds. Most users complain of facing slow loading speeds when using Netflix. Either it’s a long loading time, or your streaming experiences get interrupted. No matter what the reason might be, this makes you annoyed. One acceptable reason for slow speed while streaming on Netflix is throttling. Your ISP is the main culprit behind Netflix throttling, and you can stop it by using a reliable VPN. But what is Netflix throttling?

If you are fed up with inconsistent speeds while streaming and looking for ways to stop it, then you’re at the right place. This guide explains what Netflix throttling is. How to prevent it with a VPN? And the best VPN to stop Netflix throttling.

So, let’s jump into this guide.

Quick Tip

For the quick solution: we have researched Reddit and other platforms to get the best solution with user’s experiences and found using the fastest VPN service like CyberGhost, Or NordVPN would increase the Internet speed.

What is Netflix Throttling?

Netflix throttling is a deliberate act by the service providers to throttle your bandwidth and makes streaming difficult. 

Back in 2018, a study revealed some shocking revelations about ISP throttling. The study claims that ISPs selectively throttle some popular streaming websites, and Netflix is one of them. Netflix on their website also made it clear that you’re consuming a lot of data by using their services. 

Suppose you are watching a video on Medium quality. Although it is a standard definition, it consumes 0.7 GB in an hour. While for high-quality video, you’ll nibble 3 GB per hour and 7GB for ultra-high definition.

High consumption of bandwidth urges the ISP to throttle your connection. But that is one reason. The other and the most significant one is Net Neutrality. Under this law, all the users should be treated equally and get equal bandwidth. Thus, ISPs (Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast) throttle the connections. They have the power to monitor your activities and based on it, they slow down your connection.

In the USA, the ISP doesn’t upgrade its network. They provide less amount of monthly data for the highest price but don’t update their networks. They think it’s expensive and follow equal internet practice for everyone to continue with their old systems.

 No matter for whatever purpose your ISP is doing Netflix throttling. You can always use a VPN and can bypass it to make your browsing experience worthwhile.

Possible Reason Behind Netflix Congestion

There are several possible reasons why Netflix may load slowly or buffer frequently:

  1. Slow Internet Connection: A slow internet connection is one of the most common reasons for Netflix to load slowly or buffer frequently. If your internet speed is slow, it can cause delays in video streaming.
  2. Network Congestion: Another reason why Netflix may be slow is network congestion. When too many people use the same network simultaneously, it can cause the network to become congested, leading to slow internet speeds and buffering issues.
  3. Outdated Router or Modem: An outdated router or modem can cause slow internet speeds and buffering issues. If your router or modem is old, it may not be able to handle the amount of data being transmitted, causing delays in video streaming.
  4. Wi-Fi Signal Strength: If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, it can also cause delays in video streaming. This can happen if your router is too far away from your device or if there are obstacles, such as walls or furniture.
  5. Device Issues: Problems with your device can also cause slow Netflix loading or buffering. For example, if your device is low on memory, it may struggle to keep up with the demands of streaming video.
  6. Netflix Server Issues: Occasionally, Netflix may experience server issues that can cause delays in video streaming. This is less common but can occur.

Is my Netflix being throttled? Quick Check

If you suspect that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is throttling your Netflix streaming, here are some steps you can take to confirm:

  1. Check your internet speed: Run an internet speed test using a website like speedtest.net while streaming Netflix. If you notice a significant drop in speed while streaming Netflix compared to other websites or services, it may be an indication that your ISP is throttling your Netflix streaming.
  2. Try a VPN: Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to bypass your ISP’s restrictions. A VPN will encrypt your internet traffic and make it difficult for your ISP to throttle your Netflix streaming. If the streaming speed improves while using a VPN, it may be an indication that your ISP is indeed throttling your Netflix traffic.
  3. Contact your ISP: Reach out to your ISP and ask them about their policies on internet throttling. If they confirm that they are indeed throttling your Netflix traffic, you can try to negotiate with them to remove the restrictions or consider switching to a different ISP.
  4. Monitor network traffic: Use network scaning tools to analyze your internet traffic and see if your ISP is selectively slowing down Netflix traffic. Wireshark is one example of a network monitoring tool that can help you identify any throttling or filtering by your ISP.

Keep in mind that there may be other factors that could cause slow streaming speeds on Netflix, such as an outdated device or router, so it’s always a good idea to rule out other potential issues before assuming that your ISP is throttling your traffic.

How To Stop Netflix Throttling

Here are some steps that you can take to resolve Netflix loading issues:

  1. Check your internet connection: Make sure that your internet connection is stable and fast enough to stream Netflix. You can check your internet speed by running a speed test on a website like speedtest.net.
  2. Restart your device: Sometimes, simply restarting your device can resolve the issue. Turn off your device and turn it back on again.
  3. Clear your browser cache: If you’re using Netflix on a web browser, clearing your browser’s cache may help. Go to your browser’s settings and clear the cache.
  4. Disable VPN: If you’re using a VPN to access Netflix, try disabling it temporarily. Sometimes, VPNs can cause issues with streaming.
  5. Check for updates: Make sure that your device and the Netflix app are up to date. Check for updates and install them if they’re available.
  6. Try a different device: If you’re experiencing issues on a particular device, try using a different one to see if the issue persists.
  7. Contact Netflix support: If none of the above steps work, you can contact Netflix support for further assistance. They may be able to help you resolve the issue or provide additional troubleshooting steps.

How does VPN Helps With This?

By utilizing various ports, the data reaches the internet. There are specific ports for streaming services. As the ISPs know about the ports connected to Netflix, they throttle the site’s data.

When you use a VPN, it becomes impossible for your ISP to recognize which port you are using. By blocking the ISPs from monitoring your Netflix connections, you’re preventing Netflix throttling. 

The VPN offers dedicated servers that allow easy access to Netflix’s blocked content without your ISP noticing it. Your ISP won’t ever know the type of data via the network tunnel with a VPN.

VPN uses an encryption process that encrypts our data before it passes through the encrypted tunnel. From the tunnel, the data passes to the VPN server and then to the internet. The ISP can see that you’re connected to a remote server but can’t know what activities you perform. Hence, it is of great importance when you want to bypass Netflix throttling. 

Which VPNs Are Most Effective

To bypass Netflix throttling, you need to use a premium VPN instead of using free VPNs. The free services are not at all reliable for bypassing Netflix throttling. 

Firstly, they come with vulnerabilities and allow limited access to the streaming site. The monthly data allowance has limited bandwidth, which is less to enjoy a good streaming experience. 

Moreover, most VPNs have data caps that allow only the use of a certain amount of data. It means that you can stream to Netflix, but after watching two or three episodes of your favorite TV shows, you’ll experience slow connection speed. 

Hence, it’s recommended to go with premium VPNs.

The most suitable way to stop Netflix throttling is to use a trustworthy VPN provider. Always choose a premium VPN that have the following characteristics:

  • Fast and consistent connection speeds
  • Kill switch
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Vast server network

After testing several VPNs for bypassing Netflix throttling, we’ve come up with the four best VPNs. Now, let’s review each of the three best VPNs to stop Netflix throttling.

– CyberGhost VPN

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost is an affordable VPN provider used to prevent Netflix throttling. It comes with more than 7000 servers spread in 91 countries, so; you won’t experience any speed slowdown due to server overcrowding. Also, the speeds are pretty impressive, and it is continuously updating the Netflix servers that allow streaming Netflix freely without any connection interruption. 

 The VPN offers several impressive features like the NoSpy servers and specialized server that facilitates seamless streaming and torrent downloading experience. The presence of a built-in kill switch, VPN leaks protection, military-grade solid encryption, and dedicated IP address also work collectively to keep your activities hidden and ensure a safe streaming experience.

NordVPN

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN is one of the ideal VPNs for accessing Netflix. It has a vast server that is spread in more than 90+ countries and offers fast speed. It won’t be wrong to say that NordVPN is the quickest VPN among all other service providers that provide unlimited bandwidth. 

Upon testing NordVPN for speed, it gives excellent results. Speeds on both local and international servers were super-fast and consistent. These fast speeds help in accessing the geographically blocked content on Netflix in HD quality without any buffering.

The VPN comes with a SmartPlay feature that functions as a dedicated server that helps access US Netflix with ease. With NordVPN, you can unblock Netflix libraries of 15 different regions. The most famous Netflix libraries include Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and the UK. You can watch all shows and movies anytime without your ISP knowing about it. 

From a security perspective, NordVPN is a safe choice. It uses robust AES-256 bit encryption along with OpenVPN protocol. The VPN also has a range of security features, including a kill switch. In case your connection drops, NordVPN won’t expose your identity at all.

ExpressVPN

www.expressvpn.com

At present, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing Netflix. ExpressVPN allows unblocking US Netflix on all servers. 

Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix libraries of 19 different regions, making it the best choice. No matter your location, with ExpressVPN, you can make your Netflix streaming experience worth amazing.

When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs. Whether you’re connecting to a nearby server or international, the speeds are always consistent. Also, when tested, there was no connection lags connection was established in the blink of my eye.

Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN also doesn’t have dedicated servers for streaming. But it doesn’t impose any issue while you stream Netflix. ExpressVPN comes with an extensive server network. It operates more than 3000 servers in 94 countries, and all the servers work exceptionally well with Netflix. It also has a kill switch that prevents your sensitive information from getting leaked. 

Surfshark

www.surfshark.com

Our next pick is the British-Virgin Island-based VPN provider. Surfshark offers fast speeds, which makes it compete with other fastest VPNs. The speeds are more than enough for streaming. It provides reliable and consistent speeds for accessing the blocked content on Netflix without ISP knowing about it. 

The VPN provider allows users to unlock almost 15 different international Netflix libraries. Moreover, the VPN has a SmartDNS and TrustDNS feature that helps access the blocked content safely and securely. 

It has an extensive server network of 1800+ IP addresses in 66 countries. All these servers help in accessing Netflix at fast speeds. If you’re looking for a secure VPN at an affordable price to stop Netflix throttling, then SurfShark is an excellent option to use. The VPN has various security boosting features, including a kill switch that hides your online activities and makes you private on the web.

How to Know If Your ISP is Involved in Netflix Throttling?

While you stream on Netflix and experience slow speed, you are possibly a victim of Netflix throttling. But how can you confirm that you are being throttled?

ISP throttling is of two types. The ISP throttles your entire connection. It means that whichever site you visit, you’ll experience slow speed. The other type is the one when your ISP limits your bandwidth for some specific websites. It means that suppose if you visit YouTube, you won’t face any speed issues. But, if you visit Netflix, you’ll get slow speeds. 

After knowing what type of ISP throttling you are experiencing, you can also undergo speed tests. Visit speedtest.net and get an insight into your connection speed. You can also perform a speed test from fast.com. It is a platform for checking speed when you connect to Netflix. 

You can compare the result from both sites and decide if your ISP is throttling Netflix or not. If your speedtest.com results are low, then ISP is throttling your connection on all sites. But if it is consistent and your fasttest.com result is low, you are a victim of Netflix throttling.

No matter whatever the result is, you can always use a VPN and prevent Netflix throttling.  

Final Thoughts

Netflix throttling is a deliberate act by the ISP that spoils the users’ streaming experience. However, now it is easy to stop Netflix throttling. Use a reliable VPN provider and enjoy streaming Netflix without any interference. When you select a VPN to prevent Netflix throttling, make sure you subscribe to a premium plan. 

Also, it should match the criteria listed above. The VPN listed above is the best to bypass throttling. They’ve all those features, which makes a VPN best for avoiding Netflix throttling. You can use any one of them for streaming Netflix and preventing throttling. 

FAQ’s

Will a VPN stop throttling?

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can potentially stop throttling by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), but it’s not guaranteed. A VPN works by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a remote server, making it difficult for your ISP to monitor or restrict your online activities.

However, some ISPs use more sophisticated methods to detect and block VPN traffic, which could still result in slower streaming speeds. Additionally, using a VPN may introduce its own latency and slow down your internet connection, especially if the VPN server is located far away from your physical location.

So, while a VPN can be an effective tool for bypassing throttling, its effectiveness will depend on several factors, including the VPN provider, server location, and your ISP’s specific methods of throttling.

Kenneth G Aranda

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