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Troubleshooting a Slow VPS

Discover common causes of a slow or unresponsive VPS and learn how to identify and resolve performance issues effectively.

Updated today

We take a multi-step approach to diagnosing performance issues. While your VPS should generally remain fast and stable, some factors — particularly your workload and network routing — can cause temporary slowdowns.

There are two key areas to check:

1️⃣ Compute Resources (CPU & RAM usage)

2️⃣ Network Performance (connection quality and routing)


Step 1: Check Compute Resources

The first thing to do is open Task Manager on your VPS.

Look at your CPU and Memory (RAM) usage:

  • Is it spiking to 90–100%?

  • Or stable around 15–25%?

If your CPU or RAM are maxed out, it’s expected behavior for the system to slow down — applications may lag, charts can freeze, and typing or mouse inputs may feel delayed.

Why This Matters

Efficient CPU management is crucial for traders, especially during high-volume market activity. When CPU usage spikes, even for a few seconds, it can delay order execution or cause charts to freeze — meaning your trades reach the exchange slower. Keeping your resource usage balanced ensures smoother real-time responsiveness and minimizes risk during volatile conditions.

Try This

  1. Close all running applications.

  2. Reopen your trading platform (e.g., NinjaTrader, TradeStation, MultiCharts, Quantower, Sierra Chart, MetaTrader, IBKR) with a clean workspace — no indicators, no strategies, and one simple chart.

  3. Check whether performance improves.

If it does, the issue is likely tied to your workspace or chart configuration.


Step 2: Remove Potentially Faulty Workspaces (NinjaTrader Example)

Sometimes, a corrupted workspace can cause freezing or slow performance.

To reset:

  1. Close all applications (including NinjaTrader if open).

  2. Open your Documents folder → NinjaTrader 8 folder.

  3. Open the workspaces folder.

  4. Move all .xml files inside (e.g., Untitled1.xml, MyStrategy.xml) to a temporary folder on your desktop — or rename the “workspaces” folder to workspaces OLD.

  5. Relaunch NinjaTrader 8.

This will load NinjaTrader with a fresh, blank workspace.


Step 3: Check Network Performance

If your CPU and RAM look normal, but your mouse clicks lag or typing feels delayed, the slowdown may be network-related — meaning the VPS itself is fast, but your remote viewing stream is degraded.

Network Troubleshooting Steps

1️⃣ When did the issue start?

If it began recently, it may be a temporary routing issue between your ISP and the data center.

Wait a short while — these often resolve automatically once your DNS re-propagates.

2️⃣ Test your local internet speed

  • Visit speedtest.net from your local device (not inside the VPS).

  • Check your upload speed — it should be at least 50–75 Mbps.

  • If it’s lower, try from another connection.

3️⃣ Try a different connection

  • Use a mobile hotspot or a different high-speed internet connection.

  • If performance improves, the issue is with your ISP routing.

4️⃣ Try Parsec for improved remote streaming


Summary

  • If CPU/RAM are high → consider optimizing your workspace or upgrading your plan (e.g., VPS Lite → VPS Pro).

  • If CPU/RAM are low but performance feels laggy → it’s likely network-related, not the VPS itself.

Additional Notes

Over time, system factors like Windows updates, cached files, and third-party plugins can impact performance.

To maintain optimal responsiveness:

  • Clear your system cache regularly.

  • Avoid running large updates or downloads during trading hours.

  • Disable unnecessary background software.

If you’re running intensive platforms or automated strategies, consider upgrading to a higher-tier VPS or a dedicated server for maximum consistency and low latency.


🤝 Need Assistance?

If you’d like our team to review your environment or verify your configuration, open a ticket through your QuantVPS Dashboard. We’re here to help ensure you’re running at peak performance.

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