BitTorrent downloads not as fast as you would like? Whether you're downloading public domain movies, Linux operating systems, or anything else legally distributed on the torrent network, the implication of using peer-to-peer software is that it should exist fast.

Often, this isn't the case. And then, how can you increase your torrent speed? Below are 10 tips and tricks that will prove you lot how to increase torrent download speeds.

Notation: MakeUseOf doesn't disregard the illegal employ of torrents. Using torrents for illegal purposes is washed entirely at your ain risk. We assume no responsibleness for whatsoever legal bug you may encounter.

i. Speed upward Your Torrent – Become a New Internet service provider

Test your internet speed

Your Isp (Isp) determines the speed of your net connection.

Most Isp's accept specific bandwidths for uploads and downloads, with maximum caps in identify to enable a robust network. As such, your torrent download speed won't exceed the cap.

To notice out what cap is, use a broadband speed testing service (such as www.speedtest.net) to measure upload and download speeds. If you feel these aren't fast plenty for your purposes, it could exist time to switch to an ISP with faster speeds on offer.

ii. How to Get Faster Torrent Speeds With a VPN

ISPs use a technique called "traffic shaping" to prioritize traffic on their network. This ways the ISP can detect what data is existence sent, routing it to its destination based on how important it considers the information to be.

Typically, torrent file data has a very low priority.

Usually, BitTorrent clients take tools for managing whether data is encrypted or not. However, this is inadequate in the face of ISP packet detection. In this example, VPN software is brash. With a BitTorrent-friendly VPN, you can ensure that traffic shaping isn't limiting speed.

You lot might fifty-fifty see an overall torrent speed increase. Be aware that not all VPNs support torrenting, however.

3. Choosing the Right BitTorrent Client

Various BitTorrent clients are available, for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and even iOS.

Using one of the better clients is advisable, such as qBittorrent or Transmission. Wikipedia lists well-nigh 25 BitTorrent clients. Whichever one y'all choose, it should characteristic configurable settings to assistance y'all get the nearly out of your torrent downloads and shares.

4. Keep Your BitTorrent Customer Updated

With your BitTorrent customer installed, it's wise to ensure it stays updated. Performance issues in the software can lead to slower downloads. Keeping the software upward-to-appointment can increase torrenting speed also equally overcome security issues in the torrent client.

So, whenever your BitTorrent client tells you that an update is ready, be sure to download and install it straightaway.

5. How Healthy Seeds and Peers Can Speed up Torrents

qBittorrent torrent client
Epitome Credit: TRANSviada/Wikimedia Commons

A peer is any calculator participating in the download and upload of a torrent file. A seed (or seeder) is anyone who has one consummate copy of the file beingness shared across the torrent network.

Meanwhile, a leech (or a leecher) is the downloader It'southward a person who does non accept the complete file yet but has joined the network to download it. A leecher becomes a seeder once download is complete and the entire file can be shared beyond the network.

For loftier torrent speeds, pop torrents are the best selection. The greater the number of seeders, the healthier the torrent and the better the chance of higher speeds. A ration of loftier seeders to low leechers will result in faster file sharing and downloading.

half-dozen. Configure Your Firewall Correctly

Modern firewall software should enable BitTorrent connections. This either happens silently, or past alerting yous with a pop-upwardly that y'all need to react to.

If this doesn't work, you can fix the BitTorrent client equally an exception in your firewall software. Check the firewall's documentation on how to do this.

You may also need to configure your internet router to allow BitTorrent access. This is usually configured through a feature chosen Port Forwarding. The router documentation should have specific information on this.

seven. Upgrade to a Faster Computer

While internet speed is of import for downloading BitTorrent files, the speed and operation of your PC is cardinal to success. A slower, older computer with less RAM and storage, and inefficient processor, isn't going to download as quickly equally a newer model.

More RAM and a faster CPU is especially important. Faster SSD storage tin can also help you lot to gain a torrent speed increase.

eight. How to Speed up Torrents By Limiting the Upload Rate

A peer-to-peer network is all nigh sharing.

But an unlimited upload rate impacts on the download speed. However, yous tin can tweak the download rate to get a faster upload.

  1. Utilise a speed test tool to notice the maximum upload speed
  2. In your torrent client, set the upload rate to lxxx% of this speed

Varying upload speeds is as well smart, starting high and so gradually reducing around halfway through the download.

Be aware that speed units may be given in kilobits per second (kb/sec) or kilobytes per second (kB/sec) - i kilobyte = eight kilobit.

If you're downloading multiple files, meanwhile, stopping or pausing those that accept completed in favor of anything notwithstanding downloading is a good idea.

9. How to Adjust Torrent Bandwidth and Connections

Configure torrent client settings

Your BitTorrent customer's settings options will let you specify figures for maximum connections and slots. Diverse configurations can be prepare here to speed up torrent downloads. These are labelled slightly differently depending on the client. For example, in qBittorrent:

  • Global maximum number of connections: gives the maximum number of connections that a BitTorrent client can make for any P2P exchange. Setting this as well high does NOT mean higher speeds. Setting it too high would accept upward useless bandwidth and also low a figure would miss out on peers.
  • Maximum number of connections per torrent: gives the maximum number of peers that a BitTorrent client tin can connect to for whatever P2P commutation. Experiment by setting this number close to the available peers for a particular torrent.
  • Global maximum number of upload slots: controls the maximum number of peers to upload to for any single torrent. Clients typically prioritize peers who are sharing with you.
  • Number of upload slots per torrent: this sets the maximum number of peers that a BitTorrent client will upload to for any P2P substitution. A low setting may touch download speeds.

These are probably the four most powerful settings in any BitTorrent client, so brand sure you know where to detect them.

10. Forget Wi-Fi, Use Ethernet to Speed up Torrents

If you're using a wireless network for peer-to-peer file sharing, you can enjoy considerable speed increases by switching to a hardwired network.

All routers characteristic an Ethernet port, which will guarantee a faster connection than wireless tin can achieve.

To compare:

  • Wireless: up to 6933Mb/due south for 802.11ac (Wi-Fi five), 9608Mb/s for 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
  • Ethernet: upwardly to 100Gb/s, 10Gb/s more than likely

Ethernet likewise has far less latency than wireless. In improver, an Ethernet cable is less susceptible to interference, offering a a more than reliable, stable, "ever-on" connectedness. Most PCs have an Ethernet port. Some laptops don't, but for reliability a USB to Ethernet adapter is worth using.

Speed up Torrent Download Speed With These Tips

By at present, you should accept managed to discover a fashion to savour faster torrent downloads. The all-time methods are:

  1. Change to a faster Internet access provider
  2. Use a VPN with back up for torrents
  3. Choose the best BitTorrent client
  4. Keep the client updated
  5. Stick to healthy seeds and peers
  6. Configure your firewall correctly
  7. Upgrade your PC
  8. Limit download speeds to help upload speeds
  9. Adjust torrent bandwidth
  10. Rely on Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi

One, more than, or even all of these tips tin be used to deliver noticeable increases in speed from your torrent downloads.

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About The Author

Christian Cawley (1575 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Actually Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software support. A contributor to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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