Some Windows users may encounter issues where the VPN shows as connected but the internet is inaccessible, or the VPN cannot connect at all. After investigation, LetsVPN engineers have found that these problems are usually caused by network enhancement services running in the Windows system.
These services are not essential Windows components. Disabling them does not affect your ability to connect to the internet. If you do not rely on these network optimization functions, we recommend disabling them to ensure VPN stability.
Killer Network Cards and Service
What are they?
Killer network cards are network hardware/drivers designed for gamers, featuring “intelligent traffic management.” They automatically detect games, streaming apps, and other high-priority activities, allocating more bandwidth to them and intervening in traffic handling at the system level.
Killer Network Service sorts and optimizes traffic based on priority, but VPNs require the original packet path to remain intact. When Killer takes over traffic routing, it may change the VPN’s routes, causing disconnections, failure to connect, or unstable speed.
Why do they affect VPN?
By default, Killer network cards and their related services classify LetsVPN as a lower-priority application while assigning higher priority to games or video software. This means LetsVPN traffic may be delayed, leading to connection timeouts, connection failures, or successful connections with no accessible internet.
How to disable?
Killer Network Cards
Open Killer Control Center, turn off Prioritization Engine and Auto Bandwidth , and then turn off the related settings in Intelligence Engine and Prioritization Engine at the top of the interface, as shown in the figure below.
Adjust the priority of lets.exe to 1 in Overview as shown in the image below.
Turn off Advanced Stream Detect in Settings as shown in the image below.
Killer Network Service
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find
Killer Network Service. Double-click to open the control centerSet Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
SmartByte Network Service
What is it?
Preinstalled on many Dell laptops (e.g., Inspiron, XPS, Vostro), SmartByte attempts to "intelligently" allocate bandwidth for smoother video and conferencing experiences.
Why does it affect VPN?
It may deprioritize VPN traffic, resulting in slow or failed connections.
How to disable?
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find
SmartByte Network Service. Double-click to open the control centerSet Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
IntelConnect Related Services
What is it?
Includes Intel Connectivity Service, Network Service, and IntelConnect Service. These optimize connections in multi-network environments.
Why does it affect VPN?
They modify network routing or priorities, which may conflict with VPN tunneling logic and cause instability.
How to disable?
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find and double-click each one to open the control center
Intel Connectivity ServiceIntel Connectivity Network ServiceIntelConnect Service
Set Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
ExpressConnect Related Services
What is it?
Dell's premium bandwidth manager, built into Dell Optimizer, prioritizes conferencing or productivity apps on business laptops.
Why does it affect VPN?
It may lower VPN priority, disrupting encrypted tunnel creation and access.
How to disable?
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find
ExpressConnect Network Serviceand double-click to open the control centerSet Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
Host Network Service
What is it?
Preinstalled service used for features like wireless display, hotspot sharing, and system-level coordination.
Why does it affect VPN?
It can block VPN ports or interfere with routes, leading to disconnections or unusable connections.
How to disable?
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find
Host Network Serviceand double-click to open the control centerSet Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
Clash Verge Service
What is it?
Clash Verge is a GUI-based Clash client used for advanced proxy configuration. It installs a background service called Clash Verge Service, which runs local proxy servers (e.g., port 7890) and sets system proxy rules.
Why does it affect VPN?
It may inject system-wide proxy rules that override VPN routing
How to disable?
Press Win + R, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter
Open Services Manager
Find
Host Clash Verge Serviceand double-click to open the control centerSet Startup Type to "Disabled", Set Service Status to "Stop"
Click "Apply" or "OK"
FAQ
Q: Will disabling these services break my system?
A: No, they are non-essential enhancements.
Q: Will it stop my internet?
A: No, Windows will use the default network path.
Q: Still can’t connect to VPN?
A: Please contact FastLink support via live chat for help.
Q: Service name doesn’t match exactly—disable it?
A: Confirm with support before proceeding.
Q: Can I re-enable later?
A: Yes, just set the service to "Automatic" and start it again.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us via online customer service in LetsVPN app or sending us an email at letsvpn@rbox.me. Our professional technical team will take immediate action to reply to you.