> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nodemaven.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why is my proxy slow or slower than expected?

> Seven things to check when a proxy is slower than expected: your own connection, the gateway, how narrow your targeting is, and your IP filter mode.

Our proxy network is optimized for the best possible speed, but several factors can influence performance, including your home internet connection, proxy location settings, the tools you use, and the domains you visit.

<Warning>
  This applies to Residential and Mobile proxies. ISP proxies run on datacenter infrastructure and behave differently - see [ISP/Static Proxies](/isp/overview).
</Warning>

To improve your speed, try the following.

## 1. Check your own network speed

Make sure your home internet connection is not the issue. A slow connection directly affects proxy performance.

**Proxy speed cannot be higher than your own network speed.** If you run multiple proxies at once, that speed is divided among them.

## 2. Generate a new proxy

Sometimes simply generating a new proxy in the same location resolves the problem, because you get a different exit IP.

## 3. Use a gateway closer to your proxy location

| Your target region | Gateway |
| - | - |
| European countries | `gate-eu.nodemaven.com` |
| Asian countries | `gate-sg.nodemaven.com` |
| United States and the region | `gate-us.nodemaven.com` |

## 4. Broaden your location targeting

If your activity allows it, stop pinning every level. Each level you add narrows the pool, and a smaller pool means fewer fast IPs to choose from.

| Instead of | Try |
| - | - |
| United States > California > Los Angeles > Spectrum | United States > California > Los Angeles > random ISP |
| | United States > California |
| | United States, everything else at random |

See [Available locations](/residential-mobile/locations) for how the levels work.

## 5. Choose a location closer to you

If your activity allows it, select a proxy location closer to where you physically are. This reduces latency.

## 6. Check the domain itself

Test the connection to the same domain in your regular browser, without the proxy, to rule out a problem at the destination.

## 7. Check your code or tool

Make sure there are no issues in the code or tool you are using.

## Consider your IP filter mode

Your IP filter mode decides whether the pool is selected for quality or for speed. **Quality** is the default and prioritises clean IPs over fast ones. If throughput matters more than reputation for what you are doing, **Quality + Speed** or **Speed** will give you faster IPs.

See [IP filter modes](/residential-mobile/ip-filter-modes) for what each mode does and what it puts in your proxy username.

## Still slow?

Contact our support team via live chat.


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