---
title: "qBittorrent Slow Speed Checklist — Proxy, UPnP, Port Forwarding"
aliases: [qbittorrent-proxy-profile-blocking, qbittorrent-port-forwarding]
tags: [qbittorrent, homelab, networking, port-forwarding, proxy, bittorrent]
sources:
  - "daily/2026-05-03.md"
created: 2026-05-03
updated: 2026-05-03
---

# qBittorrent Slow Speed Checklist

Three distinct root causes found in practice when qBittorrent shows near-zero download speeds despite good internet connectivity.

## Cause 1: Proxy Profile Enabled Without Real Proxy

qBittorrent proxy settings with a profile enabled but no valid proxy host configured will **silently block all peer connections**. No error is shown — downloads just stall at 0 KB/s.

**Fix:**
- Tools → Options → Connection → Proxy Server
- Set Type to **None**

Or edit `qBittorrent.conf` directly:
```ini
[Connection]
ProxyType=0
```

## Cause 2: UPnP Not Working / Port Not Opened

If your router doesn't support UPnP or it's blocked, qBittorrent may not have a routable incoming port.

**Fix:**
- Tools → Options → Connection
- Set a static port (e.g., `50000`)
- Disable "Use UPnP / NAT-PMP port forwarding" (avoid relying on auto)
- Forward that port manually at the router

## Cause 3: Router Port Not Forwarded (TP-Link AX72)

On TP-Link AX72, port forwarding is **not** under "Virtual Server" — it's at:

> **Advanced → NAT Forwarding → Port Forwarding**

Add a rule:
- Service Name: qBittorrent
- External Port: 50000
- Internal IP: \<LXC/container IP\>
- Internal Port: 50000
- Protocol: TCP+UDP

## Config File Shortcuts

```ini
[Connection]
ProxyType=0
PortRangeMin=50000

[Upload]
RateLimit=-1
```

Config location (Linux): `~/.config/qBittorrent/qBittorrent.conf`

## Related Concepts

- [[wiki/concepts/docker-bridge-subnet-whitelist]] — Docker containers appear as 172.x.x.x, not 192.168.x.x; WebUI auth bypass subnets must include Docker range

## Sources

- [[daily/2026-05-03.md]] — qBit showing 0 KB/s; root causes: proxy profile blocking + UPnP + missing TP-Link port forward; fixed by disabling proxy, setting static port 50000, forwarding at router
