Prioritizing one app's net access over another

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on resolving Spotify audio stuttering caused by the Global Protect VPN while accessing a corporate web client. Users identified that the VPN monopolizes network bandwidth, leading to performance issues with Spotify running in a separate browser tab. Solutions proposed include adjusting Quality of Service (QoS) settings on the router, using the Spotify app instead of the web version, and modifying Spotify's buffering settings. Users also suggested utilizing third-party applications like NetLimiter to prioritize Spotify's network access.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of VPN functionality and its impact on network performance.
  • Familiarity with Quality of Service (QoS) settings in routers.
  • Knowledge of Task Manager for monitoring system performance.
  • Experience with third-party applications for network management, such as NetLimiter.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to configure QoS settings on different router models.
  • Learn about Spotify's buffering settings and how to adjust them for optimal performance.
  • Explore the capabilities of NetLimiter for prioritizing application bandwidth.
  • Investigate other VPN solutions that may have less impact on local network performance.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for remote workers, IT professionals managing VPN connections, and anyone experiencing audio streaming issues while using a VPN, particularly with applications like Spotify.

DaveC426913
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TL;DR
Is it possible to tell my network to prioritize my browser above my VPN?
I'm tunneling into my corp's webclient. Every time it wants to do something, it overrides my spotify in my local (untunneled) browser - resulting in my music stuttering constantly).

I'm using 'Global Protect' to tunnel into vdi.[mycorp]/portal/webclient/...

Though it might solve the problem, I am loathe to open Spotify inside my vpn.

Suggestions?

#FirstWorldProblems
 
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Is this your own device (i.e. do you have administrator privileges) or work's?
 
pbuk said:
Is this your own device (i.e. do you have administrator privileges) or work's?
My personal lappie.
 
It just occurred to me that I'm using the browser for both applications, just different tabs. One tab is Spotify, the other tab is the webclient.

I'm not sure of that means I need to prioritize one browser tab's pipeline over the other.Total network throughput seems not to be an issue. 170Mb/s down, 130Mb/s up.
 
It could be the laptop running out of one resource or another, or it could be the network switch (do you own that too?) Can you do anything to narrow the bottleneck down?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
It could be the laptop running out of one resource or another, or it could be the network switch (do you own that too?) Can you do anything to narrow the bottleneck down?

1. If I don't fiddle with the webclient for a bit, the stuttering peters out. If I Disconnect from 'Global Protect' it stops stuttering completely.

2. I watched my performance tabs in Task Manager. During the smallest activity within the webclient (such as moving a window around), network access hits 100% immediately, and stays there until it drops back near zero.

Aaaand of course, now that I say that, it makes me a liar by not doing it.

1614624309095.png
 
Last edited:
There is likely some sort of heartbeat signal to help the VPN decide if you're still there. I had this happen with Youtube audio not working through MS remote desktop for some browsers.

However, it appears that this is a known problem that Spotify doesn't work with a VPN. Some suggest it's because of copyright issues in different regions of the world.

https://windowsreport.com/fix-vpn-wont-work-spotify/

https://community.spotify.com/t5/De...through-a-US-gt-US/m-p/5016688/highlight/true

Ease your aggravation, use your phone as a music source :-)
 
jedishrfu said:
There is likely some sort of heartbeat signal to help the VPN decide if you're still there. I had this happen with Youtube audio not working through MS remote desktop for some browsers.

However, it appears that this is a known problem that Spotify doesn't work with a VPN. Some suggest it's because of copyright issues in different regions of the world.
Yeah but I'm not running Spotify through the VPM; I'm running it locally.

But the troubleshooting list pointed me in a useful direction though: installing the Spotify app instead of the website. And that I can allow through my Firewall.
jedishrfu said:
Ease your aggravation, use your phone as a music source :-)
I'd burn through my data in a week.
 
Your router might be able to prioritize Spotify via its QOS settings, provided a) the router supports it and b) the router let's you into the menu. (If its owned by your ISP, it may not)
 
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  • #10
DaveC426913 said:
But the troubleshooting list pointed me in a useful direction though: installing the Spotify app instead of the website. And that I can allow through my Firewall.
That was going to be my next suggestion (having determined that this is your device so you can do that).

If that doesn't solve it then yes, you can do this in your router's Quality of Service (QoS) configuration but it is not trivial.

If that is not possible/desirable then you can't change the priorities in Windows directly, but there are third party applications that can do this such as NetLimiter.
 
  • #11
A quick Google (now that I know what terms to use) shows how I can give Spotify priority access in Task Manager (Details tab > Rgt-click Spotify > Set Priority).

I have to give it "real time" access (the highest) and it's still not perfect, but it'll do.

Thanks all.
 
  • #12
DaveC426913 said:
A quick Google (now that I know what terms to use) shows how I can give Spotify priority access in Task Manager (Details tab > Rgt-click Spotify > Set Priority).
That just gives it CPU priority which is not much help if the VPN is hogging all the network bandwidth, as you have found.
 
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  • #13
Let's take a step back. The problem isn't CPU priority or network priority or any of that. The problem is Spotify is stuttering.

The "classic" solution to this is buffering. Does Spotify have a buffering setting? If so, try doubling it and seeing if it is better.

Before adjusting CPU and network settings, is it the CPU? Is it the network? Task Manager/Performance can help you understand where the bottleneck is. For example, I can copy files to my file server at 170 MB/s or so, and from the server at 330 MB/s or so. In neither case is the network or CPU the bottleneck. (Writing is at the speed of the disk array, and reading is at the speed of the SSD cache)

If it's the network, we will need to better understand where in the network, but we can cross that bridge when we come to it.
 
  • #14
pbuk said:
That just gives it CPU priority which is not much help if the VPN is hogging all the network bandwidth, as you have found.
Ah. Right. I'm no longer on the 'Network' tab. Oops.

Vanadium 50 said:
The "classic" solution to this is buffering. Does Spotify have a buffering setting? If so, try doubling it and seeing if it is better.
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle - it does.

OK, I will experiment with this tomorrow.

Everything's behaving perfectly as of this moment - no stuttering - perhaps because my wife isn't streaming her news right now.
 
  • #15
DaveC426913 said:
perhaps because my wife isn't streaming her news right now.

You mean you're competing with your wife for bandwidth? Bad idea.
 

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