11 tips for faster uploads

Slow upload speeds can cause lag, choppy video, and dropped frames. Whether you’re on a Zoom call, streaming to an online audience, or just gaming to unwind, a sluggish connection can quickly become a nuisance. Let’s dive into how to increase your upload speed and fix the issue.

We’ll start with seven methods to boost overall upload speeds, then explore four torrenting-specific tips. After that, we’ll tackle some FAQs on the subject.

How to increase my upload speed? 7 easy methods

Here are seven methods to increase your upload speed ranked by effectiveness:

1. Switch to a wired connection

An ethernet connection will always be faster than wi-fi because it isn’t affected by signal interference from walls or other devices and offers a direct, stable link to your router. If you want to improve your connection speed for any reason, wired is the way to go.

Fortunately, setting up a wired connection is easy: just connect an ethernet cable from your router to your device. Longer cables or network switches make it a viable option, even if your device is far from the router.

2. Close bandwidth-heavy apps

Data-intensive apps like streaming services, cloud backups, or video calls can severely impact your upload speed. If your file uploads are slow or your Zoom calls keep lagging, closing unnecessary apps can help free up bandwidth for better performance.

Limiting the number of devices connected to your router is also a good idea. The more devices that share your internet, the slower your speeds will be. Even idle devices use up bandwidth, so disconnect anything that’s not used to increase your upload speed.

3. Reboot your router

Sometimes, all your router needs is a fresh start. Rebooting your router clears temporary data and resets the connection, which can help fix slow upload speeds. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on to give your connection a quick boost.

4. Install the latest router firmware

Firmware updates help keep your router running smoothly and may increase your upload speed in some cases. Newer models usually handle this independently, but older ones might need manual updates. Even modern routers may require manual intervention for critical fixes when automatic updates don’t apply immediately.

Follow these steps to update your router’s firmware:

1. Find your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Type the IP into your browser.
3. Log in with your username and password (typically “admin” for both).
4. Go to the firmware section.
5. If an update is available, follow the instructions to install it.
6. Restart the router afterwards to apply any changes.

5. Find a better spot for your router

Switching to a wired connection isn’t always an option (especially on mobile devices) and may be inconvenient.

If you’re stuck using wi-fi, better router positioning can improve signal strength and reduce interference, making it easier for your devices to get faster and more stable upload speeds. Place the router on an open, elevated central spot, away from walls or large metal objects.

See also: How to improve wi-fi signal strength

6. Avoid throttling with a VPN

ISPs may throttle your upload speeds during peak hours to manage network traffic or if you upload large files and make frequent cloud backups. They might also slow down certain activities, like torrenting or gaming, to prioritize other types of traffic on the network.

One solution is to encrypt your traffic so your ISP has no idea what you’re doing online. You can do so by using a VPN (virtual private network), which masks your IP address and your online activity—whether you’re torrenting, backing up your data, streaming, and more.

Now, VPNs slow down your connection as your data travels further to reach its destination, while the encryption process takes up a small amount of system resources. That said, you won’t notice the difference when you use the fastest VPNs available.

Choosing a nearby server and using a fast encryption protocol like NordLynx or WireGuard can also reduce VPN-related slowdowns.

7. Keep your system drivers up-to-date

Aside from your router firmware, updating your operating system, motherboard, and network drivers could also contribute to better upload speeds. In contrast, outdated drivers may cause compatibility issues or limit performance.

Visit your manufacturer’s website for the latest fixes, or update your drivers using the system device manager:

1. Use the Windows search function to look up Device Manager.
2. Click on it and you’ll be taken to a list of devices.
3. Right-click the device you want to update and click Update driver.

If all else fails, and you’ve already contacted your Internet provider about any upload speed issues, your only option is to get a better connection. Call up your ISP and say you’ve been looking to change providers. Usually, they’ll offer to upgrade your plan at a lower price than usual rather than risk losing a customer.

How do I increase my upload speed when torrenting?

The tips above should help for most purposes. If you’re looking for specific advice on how to increase your upload speed while torrenting, check these out:

1. Limit the number of active torrents

Running too many torrents simultaneously splits your bandwidth between multiple files, slowing down any uploads. Focus on one or two torrents to let them use the full potential of your connection. Pause others until your priority uploads finish for the best results.

2. Adjust upload speed settings

Most torrent clients let you tweak upload speed limits. Set the limit slightly below your connection’s maximum to avoid overloading the network. For example, if your upload speed is 50 Mbps, set it to around 45 Mbps for smoother and more stable uploads.

To do so in qBittorrent, click Tools > Options > Speed and set your desired upload speed limit under Global Rate Limits. The client uses KiB/s as a unit, so here’s a Mbps to KiB/s converter for convenience.

3. Share in-demand torrents

To improve upload speeds, focus on torrents with active leechers who need the files you share. Seed popular or recently downloaded torrents, as users are more likely to request file pieces from your device.

Most trackers let you sort torrents by seeders and/or leechers, making avoiding those with too many seeders easier, where competition may lower your upload rate.

4. Enable port forwarding

When torrenting, your device needs certain ports open to communicate with other peers. Without these open ports, your upload speed can be slower, as the connection may be blocked or limited.

Some VPNs block certain ports for security reasons, which could limit your torrenting speeds. In this case, enabling port forwarding on your VPN can help. This allows traffic through the correct ports, ensuring faster uploads (or that they even work in the first place).

Related: How to torrent safely

How to increase my upload speed FAQs

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