Do you want to block ads and trackers on your entire network without installing any software on your devices?
The solution? Pi-hole.
Pi-hole is a Raspberry Pi-based network-wide ad blocker. It runs on a Raspberry Pi and blocks ads and trackers for all devices on the network.
However, before you decide to use Pi-hole, you should know the answer: Does Pi-hole slow down internet speed?
The truth is, the Pi-hole should speed up your internet speed. This is because it prevents ads and trackers from being downloaded, which can save bandwidth and improve loading times.
But sometimes, Pi-hole can cause webpages to load slowly or not at all, depending on their configuration and the website.
In this article, I explore the truth about Pi-hole and internet speed. I also discuss the possible reasons for slow loading with Pi-hole and the solutions for fixing them. Let’s dive right in.
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Does Pi-hole slow down internet speed?
The effect of Pi-hole on internet speed largely depends on various factors.
When Pi-hole is properly configured and optimized, it can improve your browsing experience by reducing bandwidth usage and eliminating the need to download ad content.
This can result in faster loading times for webpages and a more responsive overall internet experience.
In general, Pi-hole is unlikely to cause a significant slowdown for most users.
However, if you are experiencing slow speeds, you can disable the Pi-hole to see if that resolves the issue.
Some reasons for slow loading with pi-hole
Slow-loading or non-loading webpages can occur in specific situations when using a Pi-hole. Some of the causes may include
Blocking Required Domains
Pi-hole’s primary function is to block ad domains by intercepting DNS requests.
However, it may unintentionally block domains essential for a website to function correctly.
These include domain hosting scripts, images, fonts, or other necessary resources.
As a result, the browser waits for timeouts before moving on to the subsequent request, leading to slow loading or incomplete webpage rendering.
Returning Invalid IP Addresses
By default, Pi-hole may use a blocking mode that returns an IP address instead of an error code when a domain is blocked.
When the browser encounters such a response, it attempts to connect to the provided IP address.
However, if the IP address is invalid or unreachable, the browser waits for a timeout before giving up. This delay affects the web page’s loading time.
Running on Low-Resource Devices
Pi-hole can be installed on various devices, including the popular Raspberry Pi.
However, running a Pi-hole on a device with limited resources or poor connectivity, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero W, can lead to performance issues.
The device may struggle to handle the processing and filtering tasks efficiently, affecting the speed and responsiveness of the Pi-hole and the network traffic passing through it.
Solutions for slow loading with Pi-hole
Blocking Required Domains
To fix slow loading caused by Pi-hole blocking necessary domains, you can whitelist those domains.
Whitelisting allows Pi-hole to allow DNS requests for specific domains, ensuring that essential resources are not blocked.
You can read more on whitelisting and blacklisting on Pi-hole.
Returning Invalid IP Addresses
To prevent delays caused by Pi-hole returning invalid IP addresses, you can change the blocking mode to NXDOMAIN.
This mode returns an error code immediately when a domain is blocked, preventing the browser from attempting to connect to non-existent or unreachable IP addresses.
Running on Low-Resource Devices
If Pi-hole runs on a low-resource device, optimizing the settings and considering hardware upgrades can help improve performance.
For instance, if you’re using Raspberry Pi Zero W, you can consider using ethernet connectivity instead of a wireless connection.
Also, you can consider upgrading to the latest Pi-hole available.
Conclusion
In summary, Pi-hole can impact internet speed depending on various factors.
While blocking ads and trackers has the potential to improve browsing speed, it may also cause web pages to load slowly in certain situations.
You can address these issues by whitelisting necessary domains, changing the blocking mode, and optimizing Pi-hole’s settings or hardware.
For further reading, you can explore the following resources:
