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How to Set Up and Use NordVPN With qBittorrent?

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qBittorrent is arguably the most popular torrent client today.

Does that mean it’s safe and secure to use? Wrong.

While torrenting itself is legal, it can be very dangerous.

We’ve heard of hackers accessing IP addresses as well as users getting into trouble for accidentally downloading copyrighted material.

That’s why it pays to always use a VPN with torrent clients, such as qBittorrent.

In this guide, I’ll be showing you how to set up and use NordVPN with qBittorrent.

In a Hurry? Set Up NordVPN on qBittorrent in 5 Quick Steps!

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN (Get our special deal).
  2. Download the NordVPN app on your computer.
  3. Log in to the app.
  4. Choose and connect to a P2P enable server.
  5. Launch qBittorrent and enjoy safe torrenting.

What You Will Need

To follow this guide and use NordVPN with qBittorrent, you’ll need the following:

  • Active NordVPN subscription
  • qBittorrent client

How to Properly Set Up qBittorrent With NordVPN?

The easiest method to set up qBittorrent with NordVPN is through the NordVPN app. You can alternatively configure a NordVPN proxy on the torrent client.

Below, I’ve broken both methods into simple easy-to-follow steps.

Step by Step Instruction

Method 1: Setting Up NordVPN With QBittorrent on Mac and Windows PC

If you have a Mac or Windows PC, you can install NordVPN on your PC and connect qBittorrent via the tunneled connection.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN (Check our exclusive offer).
  2. Download and install the NordVPN app on your computer.
  3. Enter your email and password to log in to the NordVPN app.
  4. Go to the server list and click on Specialty servers.
  5. Next click P2P to connect to a torrenting optimized server.
  6. Launch qBittorent and voila! – you are now torrenting safely.

Method 2: Setting Up NordVPN Proxy on qBitTorrent

Personally, I use this solution with qBittorent. While the setup process may be a bit more complicated, NordVPN SOCKS5 proxy offers much faster download speeds.

As such, I recommend this method if you have average internet speeds and don’t mind the hassle.

Here is a quick walkthrough:

Step 1: Open qBittorrent.

Step 2: Next, go to the application preferences by clicking Tools > Options. Alternatively, you can press Alt + O on the keyboard.

Step 3: In the Options window, select Connection from the sidebar menu.

Step 4: Navigate to the Proxy Server section.

Navigate to the Proxy Server section

Step 5: Under Type, select SOCKS5.

Step 6: In the Host field, enter an address from the list below:

  • amsterdam.nl.socks.nordhold.net
  • atlanta.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • dallas.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • dublin.ie.socks.nordhold.net
  • ie.socks.nordhold.net
  • los-angeles.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • nl.socks.nordhold.net
  • se.socks.nordhold.net
  • stockholm.se.socks.nordhold.net
  • us.socks.nordhold.net

Step 7: Next, enter 1080 in the port field.

Step 8: Tick the Use proxy for peer connections box.

Step 9: Now tick the Authentication box and enter your NordVPN account username and password.

Enter NordVPN account details to Authentication box

Step 10: Click OK to save the configuration.

That’s all. Your NordVPN SOCKS5 connection is now active.

Besides fast download speeds, this setup also allows you to only anonymize your qBittorrent traffic while other services like Netflix access the internet directly.

How to Configure qBittorrent For Faster Downloads?

qBittorent already offers great performance but by tweaking some of the default settings, you can improve the download speeds even further.

One of the first things you do is to enable DHT and Peer Exchange (PeX) to allow the client to discover more peers globally.

Step 1: Go to Tools > Options > BitTorrent.

Step 2: Check “Enable DHT” and “Enable Peer Exchange”.

Check “Enable DHT” and “Enable Peer Exchange”

Additionally, you can also try enabling Local Peer Discovery if you are connected to a large local network.

However, if you’re using a VPN this option won’t work for you if you’re connected to a VPN. And since I wouldn’t advise you to sacrifice your privacy, I suggest leaving it unchecked.

If your torrent speeds are still slow, you can apply rate limits on both peers on LAN peers and µTP protocols. qBittorent will then drop off the leeches without stopping sharing.

You can do so by going to Tools > Options>Speed > Rate Limit Settings and ticking both peers on Lan and µTP protocols.

Rate Limit Settings

Should I Enable or Disable qBittorrent In-Built Encryption?

While qBittorent does come with in-built encryption, it’s pretty weak and doesn’t offer much protection.

Additionally, the encryption requires the client to only connect to peers with the same level of encryption. This significantly lowers the number of available connected peers.

I recommend disabling the qBittorrent Encryption mode when connected to NordVPN. To do so, go to Tools > Options > BitTorrent > Encryption Mode and select Allow Encryption.

Allow encrryption

Why You Should Use qBittorrent With NordVPN?

If you plan to use a VPN with qBittorent, NordVPN is a perfect pick. The VPN supports torrenting and offers an excellent choice of P2P optimized servers.

It also comes with advanced security and privacy features that you need for secure and anonymous torrenting. These include robust AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak prevention, an automatic kill switch.

NordVPN also does not store activity logs and is located in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. So with the VPN, you won’t be getting a DMCA notice any time soon.

Tightening Your Security

Although NordVPN is quite secure out of the box, it comes with extra configurations that you can use to ensure maximum privacy when using qBittorrent.

Enable the NordVPN Kill Switch

With the kill switch enabled, you can stop your IP from being exposed if your NordVPN connection drops.

ISP, hackers, and copyright trolls are always prying and a single leak is enough to expose your identity and browsing history.

NordVPN offers two different versions of the kill switch – the “Internet Kill Switch” which disables system-wide internet access and the “App Kill Switch” which terminates specific apps like qBittorrent.

To enable the kill switch, launch the NordVPN and go to Settings > Kill switch, and toggle on the Internet Kill Switch or the App Kill Switch button.

Port Forwarding

Port forwarding allows you to directly connect to more peers and improve your download speeds.

Unfortunately, NordVPN no longer offers port forwarding but you can still manually port forward on qBittorrent.

Read Also: Best VPNs With Port-Forwarding

How to Enable Port Forwarding on qBittorrent?

To enable port forwarding on qBittorrent, go to the “Connections” menu and click random to enter a random port.

Additionally, you should make sure the “Use UPnP or NAT -PMP port forwarding from my router” box is checked. This will allow the torrent client to automatically search and open the best port for you.

Use UPnP or NAT -PMP port forwarding
Interesting Reads:

How to Download Files With qBittorrent?

qBittorrent features an in-built search which you can use to search for torrents directly from the client. Although it’s not as effective as a web browser, it is faster and much easier to use.

If the search engine is not enabled, you can do so from the “View” tab on the menu bar.

search for torrents directly from the client

If you haven’t installed Python, a screen will pop up with the message: “Python is required to use the search engine but it does not seem to be installed. Do you want to install it now?

Simply click “Yes” and you’ll be good to go. Alternatively, you can go to your favorite torrent sites and get the magnetic links for the files you want to download.

Read Also: Which VPNs Support Socks5?

How Do I Know If My NordVPN Is Working With qBittorrent?

Although NordVPN is pretty much reliable, just like every other software it can fail. As a safety precaution, you can use a tool like ipMagnet to see which IP address qBittorrent is displaying to its peers and trackers.

IPmagnet tool

If the IP show matches your real IP, then that means your NordVPN is not working on qBittorrent.

FAQ

Yes, qBittorrent is safe to use. It won’t install malicious software but you will still need to use a VPN to download files anonymously.

Yes, NordVPN allows qBittorrent traffic and does not impose any torrenting data caps or bandwidth restrictions.

NordVPN also works with other torrent clients, including uTorrent, Vuze, and Deluge.

Final Words

There you have it. As you can see, setting up and using NordVPN with qBittorrent is quite straightforward and won’t take much of your time. Go ahead, grab this discount and give it a try!

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. Please share to help others on social media.

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