The short answer
- 1'Download speed limited' means a free-account speed limit, not a fault.
- 2Without that notice, check the network, proxies and VPNs, and parallel downloads.
- 3Videos that pause: let them download first, or pick a lower quality.
In this article
First, look for "Download speed limited"
If a notice reading Download speed limited appears while a file is downloading, nothing is broken. Telegram limits download speed for some free accounts, and the app explains: "Subscribe to Telegram Premium to increase download speeds" by a number of times shown in the notice. Telegram Premium has no such limit. Without Premium, the file still finishes; it just takes longer.
If you see no such notice, the slowdown comes from the network or from too many downloads at once.
Find the slow part of the network
- Switch networks. Try mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, or the other way round. If one is fine and the other is slow, the problem is that network.
- Turn off old proxies and VPNs. A proxy or VPN routes traffic through a distant server and can make downloads crawl. In Telegram, check Proxy Settings at the bottom of Data and Storage, and switch off any VPN app you do not need.
- Download one thing at a time. Several large files at once share the same connection, so each goes slower.
If downloads never start at all, see photos or videos won't download. If the whole app is slow or stuck on "Connecting...", see stuck on Connecting.
Videos that keep pausing
On phones, Telegram can play a video before it has fully downloaded. On Android, the switch is Stream Videos and Audio Files in Data and Storage: "When possible, Telegram will start playing videos and music right away, without waiting for the files to fully download."
Not available on this device.
- Settings tab
- Data and Storage
- Stream Videos and Audio Files
Not available on this device.
- Stream Videos and Audio Files - play before the download finishes
- Proxy Settings - an old proxy here can slow everything down
Streaming plays as fast as the download arrives. When the connection cannot keep up, the video pauses to catch up. Two simple fixes:
- Let it download first. Pause, wait until the progress bar under the player is full, then play from the start.
- Choose a lower quality if the video offers a quality option in the player. Smaller versions download faster.
On computers, Telegram Desktop plays videos as they download and does not have this switch. iPhone streams automatically.
Next step: a received video won't play.
FAQ
Why is Telegram downloading so slowly?
If it says Download speed limited, it is a limit on free accounts. Otherwise the network, a proxy or VPN, or several downloads at once.
Why do Telegram videos keep stopping?
The video plays while downloading and pauses when the connection cannot keep up. Let it finish downloading, then play.
Does Telegram Premium speed up downloads?
Yes. Premium removes the download speed limit on free accounts.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Speed limit
A notice; Premium removes it.
- 2Network
Switch Wi-Fi and mobile data; turn off old proxies.
- 3Pausing video
Stream setting on Android; download first.
Updated
