Why is Wi‑Fi slow when I use my work VPN?

Encryption and the route through the employer’s VPN gateway add overhead and may be congested. Compare the same device with VPN on/off; a fast non‑VPN result points away from the ISP.

What to check

VPN endpoint; protocol; CPU; split tunnel; time; Wi‑Fi baseline.

When to get help from a person

Employer IT if only VPN path is affected.

Show the technical detail
On a managed Wi-Fi plan

Confirm gateway/client health; do not modify corporate VPN settings.

On another provider's router

Virgin also notes VPN can reduce speed.

What to be careful of

Never advise bypassing employer security policy.

Where this comes from: Official · see the original source ↗ · Draft—technical review · checked 17 August 2026

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