The NordVPN application is using too many system resources on Windows

Problem

The NordVPN app is causing performance issues on your Windows device.

Common symptoms

• Your computer slows down when NordVPN is on.
• The task manager shows NordVPN using more than 50% of RAM or CPU.

Troubleshooting steps

• Restart your computer.
• Check if you are using the latest version of the NordVPN app:
  
  
  1. Click the cogwheel icon in the bottom left of the NordVPN app.
  2. If the app is outdated, a banner showing that a new version is available will appear. Click the “Update” button.

• Change the VPN protocol:
  NOTE: NordWhisper is incompatible with Dedicated IP, Obfuscated, and Onion Over VPN servers.
  
  
  1. Open the NordVPN app and click the gear icon in the lower-left corner to enter the “Settings” menu.
  2. Click “Connection.”
  3. Try all protocols.
     
     
• If you have an antivirus, ensure NordVPN is on the exclusions list.
• Temporarily turn off or uninstall your antivirus to see if it is blocking or interfering with the NordVPN app.
• Disable post-quantum encryption:
  
  
  1. Open the NordVPN app and click the gear icon in the lower-left corner to enter the “Settings” menu.
  2. Click “Connection.”
  3. Set “Post-Quantum encryption” to “Off.”
     
     
• Temporarily disable Threat Protection Pro™ features to see if they’re causing issues:
  
  
  1. Click the shield icon on the left side of the NordVPN application.
  2. Click “Overview” and try disabling every feature one by one to check which one is causing issues.
     
     
• Reset the application settings:
  
  
  1. Open the NordVPN app.
  2. Click the question mark icon in the lower left corner to access the “Help” menu.
  3. Click “Run Diagnostics.”
  4. Click “Reset app.”
  5. Restart your computer after the commands finish.

Additional tips

• Check if the issue occurs on other devices connected to the same network. If it does, try switching to a different network.