Microsoft Acknowledges Slow VPN Connection Issues on Windows 11

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Last week, Microsoft rolled out a new set of Patch Tuesday updates for all supported versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. The company has acknowledged that the latest updates are causing problems with L2TP/IPsec VPN connections on Windows 11 PCs.

Last week, the issue was first reported by several Windows users and IT admins on Reddit. Users reported that installation of the KB5026372 cumulative update leads to slower speeds in both download and upload activity on L2TP/IPsec VPN.

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol Security (L2TP/IPsec VPN) combines two protocols to create secure virtual private network (VPN) connections. This VPN connection is typically used to connect remote employees to enterprise networks.

“No problems connecting to the VPN, just once you get in the speeds are extremely slow and RDP basically just times out. A quick search of the web confirms that KB5025305 causes speed issues on L2TP/IPsec VPN,” an IT admin explained on Reddit.

It’s important to note that some users have reported the issue with only Wi-Fi connections on Windows 11 devices. It seems like slower VPN performance problems don’t impact computers with wired internet connections.

In addition to VPN performance issues, users reported that the May 2023 Patch Tuesday updates also trigger several other issues on Windows 11. These include forced reboots, BitLocker automatic activation, SSD slowdowns, and more.

Microsoft to issue fix for slow VPN speed problems on Windows 11 PCs

As reported by Bleeping Computer, Microsoft is aware of the problem and it will deliver fixes in an upcoming update. Meanwhile, the only solution seems to be uninstalling the problematic update from Windows systems. To do this, head over to Settings >> Windows Update >> Update history >> Uninstall updates. Now, select the Windows update labeled as KB5026372, and then click the Uninstall button.

Did you experience slow L2TP/IPsec VPN connection problems on Windows 11? Let us know in the comments section below.