Slow download speeds

If you experience slow downloads, it could be for many reasons:

1. The upload bandwidth of the person you're downloading from is maxed out. Don't pay attention to the value of the connection type column, the value is often is not an accurate representation of the  user's connection type.
   • Users with fewer slots used may result in faster speeds - someone with two out of three (2/3) slots free may have more bandwidth available than someone with one out of three (1/3).  This number appears in the status column of the Search Window.
2. You need to optimize your operating system for your current connection speed.  First, close all P2P applications. Next run the DSLReports TweakTest .  Once you have optimized it, then run a Speed Test (select the site closest to your location for accurate results).  This will give you a good idea what your maximum download and upload speeds are.  If you're getting within 10% of your connection speed, that's the best you can get!  If you are having trouble with your broadband connection, and it relates to packet loss, excessive latency, or Internet or ISP congestion, running the Line Quality Test may help find the cause (requires logon, free signup).
3. The person who you are downloading from is using a bandwidth limiter.  There are two types: client based and third-party program.

   Often the clients with limiting capability have set download and upload speed ratios in place to avoid abuse.  (ex. If the upload speed limit is set below 6 KiB/s, then the client will restrict the client download speed to a 2:1 ratio).  This varies from client to client and obviously not all support upload limiting.  This type of speed limiting only restricts the uploading of files, including  user lists.  It does not limit chat, private messages, or searches. Users could also be using a third-party program to limit the speed of traffic.  This type of speed limiting is absolute; it will limit the speed of all traffic by the user, which can include file transfers, searches, chat, and private messages.  Since this type of application does not enforce a download speed:upload speed ratio, it may be more prone to abuse.  For particularly slow transfers - 1 KiB/s or slower, it may be to blame.

   Your Internet connection is shared with others on your LAN and they are using up all the available bandwidth. Tell them to knock it off. =)
4. Your copy of Windows XP or Server 2003 has the "QoS Packet Scheduler" enabled.  Follow this guide to disable QoS .  Windows 95/98, Millennium, and 2000 do not come with QoS.  Some routers have QoS capabilities, but shouldn't be enabled by default.  Please consult your router's manual for more information.
5. Your ISP may be limiting your P2P traffic via some method of packet shaping.  Call up the ISP and inquire if they do anything with P2P traffic.  If the ISP does throttle you, then there is nothing that can be done to increase the speeds.  This is very common at Universities and at the workplace, and is the topic of another FAQ.
6. Your Internet connection is DSL, cable, or satellite one with an asymmetrical connection speed, such as 768/128kb or 3.0mb/256kb.  On such connections, if you upload near the speed of your upload limit (16 KiB/s in the case of the 768/128 connection), it will affect the speeds of your downloads, no matter how much larger your download connection is.  If this is happening, you can use the "Use small send buffer" setting.