Does a VPN on one device affect internet speed on another device

VPN
1

I recently installed a VPN on my laptop. I was noticing slow/laggy internet connection on another device while the vpn was in use, a problem I’ve never had. Is this just coincidence or would the VPN be using up extra bandwidth(Netflix was being used through the VPN)? Also, am I correct in assuming that it’s only the laptops connection that’s going through the VPN as it is the only device with the program installed on it? I am using express VPN.

Thanks

2

Yes, only the device that VPN is installed on is using it. There is router-level VPN which then would affect the whole network, but that needs to be set up on the router itself (and most basic routers don’t support it anyway).

VPN connections have a bit of packet overhead, but that’s nothing that should produce a noticeable slowdown on the whole network. So probably just a coincidence, or netflix decided to change something based on your apparent location (e.g. changed to a higher resolution)

3

You’re watching movies through Netflix and you blame the VPN for eating up your bandwidth?

4

Okay great, thanks for the info!

5

Thanks for your help.