BitTorrent downloads not as fast as you would like? Whether y'all'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 be fast.

Oftentimes, this isn't the case. So, how tin can you increase your torrent speed? Below are x tips and tricks that will show you how to increase torrent download speeds.

Note: MakeUseOf doesn't condone the illegal use of torrents. Using torrents for illegal purposes is done entirely at your own take a chance. Nosotros assume no responsibleness for any legal issues you lot may encounter.

i. Speed upwardly Your Torrent – Get a New Internet access provider

Test your internet speed

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) determines the speed of your internet connectedness.

About ISP's have specific bandwidths for uploads and downloads, with maximum caps in place to enable a robust network. As such, your torrent download speed won't exceed the cap.

To find out what cap is, utilise a broadband speed testing service (such as www.speedtest.internet) to measure upload and download speeds. If y'all experience these aren't fast enough for your purposes, it could be fourth dimension to switch to an Isp with faster speeds on offer.

2. How to Get Faster Torrent Speeds With a VPN

ISPs use a technique called "traffic shaping" to prioritize traffic on their network. This means the Internet service provider tin can notice what data is existence sent, routing it to its destination based on how of import it considers the information to be.

Typically, torrent file data has a very low priority.

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

You might even see an overall torrent speed increase. Exist aware that not all VPNs support torrenting, nonetheless.

three. Choosing the Right BitTorrent Customer

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

Using i of the better clients is advisable, such as qBittorrent or Transmission. Wikipedia lists about 25 BitTorrent clients. Whichever one you choose, information technology should characteristic configurable settings to help you become the virtually out of your torrent downloads and shares.

four. Keep Your BitTorrent Customer Updated

With your BitTorrent customer installed, it's wise to ensure information technology stays updated. Performance problems in the software tin can pb to slower downloads. Keeping the software up-to-appointment tin can increase torrenting speed equally well as overcome security issues in the torrent client.

So, whenever your BitTorrent client tells y'all that an update is set, be sure to download and install it straightaway.

5. How Salubrious Seeds and Peers Tin can Speed up Torrents

qBittorrent torrent client
Image Credit: TRANSviada/Wikimedia Commons

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

Meanwhile, a leech (or a leecher) is the downloader It'due south a person who does not have the complete file yet but has joined the network to download it. A leecher becomes a seeder one time download is complete and the entire file can be shared across the network.

For high torrent speeds, popular torrents are the best choice. The greater the number of seeders, the healthier the torrent and the improve the chance of higher speeds. A ration of high seeders to low leechers will result in faster file sharing and downloading.

6. Configure Your Firewall Correctly

Mod firewall software should enable BitTorrent connections. This either happens silently, or past alerting you with a pop-up that you need to react to.

If this doesn't piece of work, yous can set the BitTorrent client as an exception in your firewall software. Check the firewall'southward documentation on how to do this.

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

7. Upgrade to a Faster Calculator

While net speed is of import for downloading BitTorrent files, the speed and functioning of your PC is central to success. A slower, older figurer with less RAM and storage, and inefficient processor, isn't going to download as chop-chop every bit a newer model.

More RAM and a faster CPU is particularly important. Faster SSD storage can also help yous to gain a torrent speed increase.

8. How to Speed upwardly Torrents By Limiting the Upload Rate

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

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

  1. Apply a speed examination tool to find the maximum upload speed
  2. In your torrent customer, set up the upload rate to 80% of this speed

Varying upload speeds is besides smart, starting high and then gradually reducing around halfway through the download.

Be enlightened that speed units may exist given in kilobits per 2d (kb/sec) or kilobytes per second (kB/sec) - 1 kilobyte = 8 kilobit.

If you're downloading multiple files, meanwhile, stopping or pausing those that have completed in favor of annihilation still downloading is a proficient thought.

9. How to Adjust Torrent Bandwidth and Connections

Configure torrent client settings

Your BitTorrent customer'due south settings options will let you specify figures for maximum connections and slots. Various configurations tin can be set here to speed upwards 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 tin brand for whatever P2P substitution. Setting this too loftier does Non hateful higher speeds. Setting it too high would take up useless bandwidth and besides 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 connect to for whatever P2P exchange. Experiment past 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 yous.
  • Number of upload slots per torrent: this sets the maximum number of peers that a BitTorrent client volition upload to for whatever P2P exchange. A depression setting may touch download speeds.

These are probably the four virtually powerful settings in any BitTorrent client, so make sure you know where to find them.

10. Forget Wi-Fi, Employ Ethernet to Speed upward Torrents

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

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

To compare:

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

Ethernet also has far less latency than wireless. In improver, an Ethernet cablevision is less susceptible to interference, offering a a more reliable, stable, "always-on" connectedness. Nearly PCs accept an Ethernet port. Some laptops don't, simply for reliability a USB to Ethernet adapter is worth using.

Speed up Torrent Download Speed With These Tips

By now, you lot should have managed to detect a way to enjoy faster torrent downloads. The all-time methods are:

  1. Change to a faster ISP
  2. Use a VPN with back up for torrents
  3. Choose the all-time BitTorrent client
  4. Continue 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

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

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Near The Author

Christian Cawley (1580 Articles Published)

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

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