VPN won't connect? How to fix this and other common VPN problems

VPN connection problems? We explore common VPN issues and provide simple solutions in this step-by-step guide. Get your VPN connected and working as quickly as possible!

VPNs offer a straightforward way to enhance your online security. They're also your instant ticket to enjoying region-locked services, websites, and apps that have been blocked by overreaching governments. 

Although setting up a VPN is usually a breeze, it can be confusing if something fails to work. In this guide, we'll tackle some typical VPN issues. We will explain how to resolve common VPN problems in simple, jargon-free language, so you can get up and running as quickly as possible.

What are the most common problems that people experience when using a VPN?

In this section, we have provided some of the most common problems that people experience when using a VPN. If you have any of these issues, keep scrolling to find out how to fix them!

1. My VPN won’t connect or keeps disconnecting
2. My VPN is too slow
3. The VPN is connecting to the wrong location
4. I can’t find or connect to the VPN server I usually use
5. It won’t work to access a streaming platform like Netflix
6. I changed a setting in my VPN app and now it doesn’t work
7. My VPN won’t connect in China or another country with a restricted network

How to fix VPN problems – troubleshooting guide

In this section, we will provide solutions to all of the problems listed below. Follow our instructions to get your VPN working. Remember that you can also contact your VPN’s live chat support to get direct help for your specific problem.

1. My VPN won’t connect or disconnects straight away

If you are having trouble connecting to your VPN, we recommend that you begin troubleshooting by restarting your device. Now, check that your internet connection is working and that web pages load as they should. With that out of the way, you can be certain that you don't have a problem with your internet rather than the VPN.

Now launch the app and try connecting to a different server. Even if you have a preferred server location, it is a good idea to test others. This will let you know whether a specific server has been taken offline temporarily for maintenance.

If the VPN still won't connect, we recommend trying a different protocol. Open the VPN app’s settings and find the protocol tab in the menu. Below, you can see the protocol’s section in ExpressVPN’s menu. Your VPN may vary, but you’ll find the protocols somewhere (usually in a tab called "VPN settings" or "Security"). 

We recommend setting your VPN to automatic if this is available. It will allow the application to pick the best protocol to connect easily anywhere you use the VPN. Alternatively, try the OpenVPN UDP or Wireguard protocols. If this fails, keep trying each protocol one at a time until you find one that works.

If the VPN still won’t connect, you may have accidentally messed up some of your VPN’s settings. The easiest way to fix this is to uninstall the VPN and reinstall it. This will get you the latest version, and refresh all your settings to get it working smoothly again. Some VPNs even have a “reset VPN to default settings” button, so check for this in settings before reinstalling. For OpenVPN connections, look for an option to reset or reinstall your TUN or TAP adapter.

Check your firewall

If your VPN still won’t connect, your firewall or antivirus is likely blocking it. Start by disabling your antivirus to see if the VPN connects. If it connects, add your VPN to the exceptions list in your antivirus. This will let the VPN through the firewall in your antivirus.

Next, you should check the firewall provided by your operating system.

To do this on Windows:

1. Click the Windows icon located in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. In the search bar that appears, type "Windows Defender Firewall" and press Enter. This will open the Windows Defender Firewall settings.
3. In the left-hand menu, scroll down and locate "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall". Click on it.
4. On the next screen, you will see a list of apps and features that are allowed or blocked by the firewall. To make changes, click on the "Change settings" button at the top-right corner of the window.
5. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt may appear. If so, click "Yes" to allow administrative access.
6. Next, you'll want to allow another app through the firewall. To do this, click the "Allow another app" button near the bottom of the window.
7. A new window will pop up, allowing you to browse for the program you want to add to the firewall exceptions.
8. Locate your VPN application in the file browser, select it, and click the "Add" button. This action will add your VPN app to the list of allowed apps and features in the Windows Defender Firewall.
9. After adding your VPN app, click "OK" to save the changes.

Your VPN application should now be allowed through the Windows Defender Firewall allowing it to connect. Remember that if you are using a third-party firewall like GlassWire, you will need to whitelist the VPN in that third-party application instead.

To do this on Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon located in the top-left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu.
2. From the dropdown menu, select "System Preferences."
3. In the System Preferences window, locate and click on the "Security & Privacy" icon. It looks like a padlock.
4. In the Security & Privacy window, click on the "Firewall" tab, typically found on the top right.
5. You may need to unlock the settings to make changes. To do this, click the padlock icon in the bottom-left corner of the window and enter your administrator password.
6. Once the settings are unlocked, you can configure your Firewall. Click the "Firewall Options..." button.
7. A new window will appear, displaying a list of applications and their firewall settings. To add your VPN app to the list, click the "+" button located at the bottom left of the window.
8. In the file browser that appears, navigate to your VPN application. It is typically located in the "Applications" folder. Select your VPN app and click the "Add" button.
9. In the Firewall Options window, you should now see your VPN app listed with a checkmark next to it. This indicates that it is allowed through the firewall.
10. Click the "OK" button to save your changes and close the Firewall Options window.
11. Finally, click the padlock icon again in the bottom-left corner of the Security & Privacy window to lock your settings.

Remember that if you are using a third-party firewall such as Little Snitch or a firewall provided by an antivirus, then you will need to whitelist the VPN in that application instead.

2. My VPN is too slow and causes buffering

If your VPN is making your internet very slow, your internet base speeds may be too slow to begin with. 

All VPNs must encrypt your data and route it via a remote server location, which reduces your internet speeds slightly. For people who have VPN speeds of 30 Mbps and above, this is never a problem, because they still have enough headroom for HD streaming when they connect to their VPN.

However, some people pay their ISP for a 10 Mbps connection, or perhaps even slower. Under these circumstances, a VPN may make your connection intolerably slow, and make it impossible to do some of the tasks that you can usually do without the VPN. 

To check whether this is the case, we recommend that you test your internet speeds without the VPN. You can do this by heading to Ookla Speed Test. Once you know your internet’s speed, you can figure out whether the problem is your internet or the VPN. A fast VPN should only reduce your internet speed by 10 to 20%. 

You can do some quick math to decide whether your base speed less this reduction is suitable for streaming (Netflix’s recommended speeds are available here). You will need approximate internet speeds of 5 Mbps to stream standard definition videos and 25 Mbps to watch 4K HD.

If your internet is slower than this while connected to the VPN, then you will need to upgrade your internet subscription, so contact your ISP. Alternatively, you can try the following solutions:

• Change the VPN protocol to WireGuard: Alternatively, if your VPN has a proprietary protocol, use that instead.
• Connect to a VPN server that is physically closer to you: This will help to improve your speeds.
• Experiment with other servers: Try a few different servers to see if you can find one that is faster.
• Check whether someone else in your home is hogging the bandwidth: Torrenting, playing games, system updates, and streaming can consume a lot of bandwidth.

The fastest VPNs will only reduce your internet speed slightly, but other VPNs can slow your internet up to 90%. This is because they have slow servers and protocols. If you're using a VPN router, it will only be able to handle a certain amount of connections. 

If you are using a VPN that reduces your internet speeds from 50 Mbps to 5 Mbps, for example, you will need to cancel your subscription and switch to another provider. Not all VPNs are fast, which is why it is important to pick a reliable provider in the first place.

3. My VPN is connecting to the wrong location

If you launch your VPN and connect to a specific server location, but are not receiving access to websites and services from that area, we strongly recommend that you use ipleak.net to check whether the VPN is working correctly. This tool will reveal the IP address and approximate location of the VPN server. 

If you find that the IP address of the VPN server is in a different country than the one you requested, or it shows your actual location, then there is something fundamentally wrong with the VPN connection. We suggest connecting to a different server in the same country. If your VPN only has one server in the required country, then you will need to complain.

Some VPNs use virtual server locations (using clever DNS routing) to get you an IP address in the desired location without hosting a physical server there. If this system goes down or something is set up incorrectly, you may find that you are temporarily unable to get an IP address where you need it.

If you let your VPN know about the issue, it should rectify the situation pretty quickly. However, if you are unimpressed with the level of service you are getting, or often suffer from issues getting an IP address in the correct location, we recommend switching to a more reliable VPN. 

4. I can’t find or connect to the VPN server I usually use

Sometimes, you may encounter difficulties locating or connecting to the VPN server you usually use. This is often due to the VPN performing maintenance. We recommend fixing the issue by connecting to an alternate server in the same country (the best VPNs have multiple servers in most locations, to avoid this kind of problem).

If the server you wish to access has been unavailable for a longer time, it may have stopped supporting it. We recommend that you reinstall or update your VPN app to see whether the server location has been removed. If it has, then you may need to subscribe to an alternate VPN provider.

Unfortunately, some locations like Russia, India, and China have become a concern for no-logs VPN providers due to local laws. These laws force VPNs to register with the government and to provide data from their servers when requested. This goes against the privacy policy of leading VPNs, which is why many VPNs have decided not to provide IPs in those countries.

If your VPN does have servers in the location that you require, you can try the fixes below to get reconnected:

• Double-check your VPN app configurations: Start by ensuring that you have correctly configured properly in your VPN app. If you recently changed anything, then you may have accidentally messed up the settings. Try changing it back or refresh the software by reinstalling it (if you can't remember what you did).
• Try an alternative server: If your usual server isn't available, try connecting to an alternative server location in the same country.
• Switch protocols: Some VPN servers only work with certain protocols. Open the app settings and choose a different protocol. Some local networks block certain ports used by VPNs, which may be why your connection fails.
• Check for updates: If your VPN app is out of date, then it may simply need refreshing to fix a known bug. 

5. My VPN won’t work to access a streaming platform like Netflix

Not all VPNs can reliably access every online service. In the case of prominent platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, only a handful of VPNs work consistently. Our top recommendation is NordVPN but the following providers are also good alternatives:

• Surfshark
• ExpressVPN

If you have issues accessing a service that your VPN should be able to access, you can follow the tips below:

• Update your VPN app: Ensure that you're using the latest version of your VPN application. Updates may include improvements for accessing specific services.
• Clear your web browser's cache and cookies to ensure that the service forgets your actual location. This can help resolve location-based access issues. It could be worth switching search engines. 
• Switch to a different server: Try connecting to an alternative server within your VPN network. Some VPN providers have specific servers optimized for certain platforms, which can improve your access. If the VPN is causing slow loading, try switching to a nearby server. 
• Contact customer support: If you're still encountering problems, don't hesitate to reach out to your VPN provider's customer support team. Out top recommended VPNs for streaming offer 24/7 live chat support. They can provide guidance and suggest servers that work best with the service you're trying to access.

VPNs are locked in a game of cat and mouse with streaming providers like Netflix. Netflix blocks VPNs to prevent users from being able to get around regional licensing restrictions. If your VPN loses access to Netflix or another popular service, it may need to set up additional servers or develop a workaround, which could take some time. 

Check with your provider to find out whether it is aware of the issue and ask when it will be resolved. If your VPN cannot get your streaming service working again, you will need to switch to a more reliable VPN that knows how to bypass streaming provider blocks.

6. I changed a setting in my VPN app and now it doesn’t work

New VPN users often experiment with their VPN settings, which is a great way to explore various features. However, sometimes this tinkering can inadvertently disrupt a vital setting needed for the VPN to function smoothly.

If you've recently been adjusting your settings and are now experiencing connection problems, there's a chance you may have altered something important. To resolve this issue:

• Check for a "Default Settings" option in the VPN app: This will usually be found under general and will say something like "Restore to default". This feature resets your settings to their original configuration to get it working as it is meant to.
• Reinstall the VPN: If you can't locate a default settings option, you can uninstall and then reinstall the VPN app. This will return the VPN to its original settings and should resolve any accidental changes.

If you aren’t ready to reinstall your VPN yet (and prefer to tinker until you get it working again yourself) then you can try the following settings:

1. Switch your VPN protocol to OpenVPN UDP or Wireguard
2. Turn off custom DNS
3. Turn obfuscation off
4. Turn off DNS leak protection
5. Turn the kill switch off

Remember that the kill switch and DNS leak protection are important features, so if switching these settings off works, we recommend turning them back on afterward. If the VPN stops working because they’re on, then contact your VPN provider for advice. The VPN should work with the kill switch and DNS leak protection engaged. 

7. My VPN won’t connect in China or another country

In some countries, such as China, Russia, Iran, Egypt, the UAE, and Turkey, local authorities require ISPs to block VPN servers and websites. This can cause problems when attempting to subscribe to and connect to the VPN.

Many VPNs struggle to bypass the firewalls employed in these regions. You must choose your VPN provider carefully because only a few will work at any given time. We have specific guides for using VPNs in most of these countries, so check them out to learn more.

If the VPN service you wish to subscribe to is blocked in your country, then we recommend contacting the VPN provider to ask if they have a mirror website. Some providers, like NordVPN, maintain multiple mirror websites that enable you to subscribe and download the VPN app. In some cases, VPNs may even provide a direct download link upon request, so it's worth reaching out.

If you have already subscribed to a reliable VPN known to work in China or another restrictive country, then follow the steps below:

• Turn on obfuscation: This helps mask your VPN traffic and makes it harder for network filters to detect and block it.
• Connect to stealth servers: Connect to servers specifically designed to evade censorship, often referred to as "stealth servers" or "obfuscated servers."
• Contact customer support: Reach out to the VPN provider's customer support team to obtain guidance on the optimal connection settings. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to use protocols like Shadowsocks, SOCKS5, SSL, or SSH bridging.

Lastly, we strongly recommend setting up your VPN while outside of restrictive countries whenever possible. If you plan to visit such a country in the future, purchase a VPN subscription, install the app, and ensure it's functional before your trip. This will significantly improve the likelihood of having a working VPN when you arrive in the region.

I have another VPN problem

If your issue isn’t listed in this guide, then we strongly recommend that you contact your VPN’s support to get help. Your VPN has guides and FAQs designed to help with a variety of setup and usage problems, so be sure to contact the VPN's live chat support for advice. You might have to use the search function to find out more if you're using a guide.

You can also drop us a message to let us know what the problem is. We will keep an eye on the comments and update this article with additional information if necessary! 

My VPN won’t connect – FAQs

Can a VPN be detected and blocked?

Yes. Although ISPs cannot detect what you are doing while connected to a VPN due to encryption, they might be able to detect that you are using a VPN.

VPN detection is usually done by checking the VPN server’s IP address. If the IP belongs to a known VPN server, then an ISP or website can easily block the connection. Our recommended VPNs frequently swap out IP addresses to avoid getting blacklisted.

Some ISPs use special techniques such as deep packet inspection to detect VPN connections. They may also block specific ports associated with VPNs. In such a scenario, it is necessary to use obfuscation to get connected. 

The same is true on restrictive networks where admins may have blocked specific ports to prevent VPN use. If you try to connect to a VPN at work or school and fail, for example, you might consider using obfuscation.

Websites and services can also detect VPN use, which can lead to VPN blocks. This is why you have to be careful when choosing a VPN for Netflix, for instance. Not all VPNs are capable of bypassing VPN blocks, which is why some VPNs are more popular and reliable than others.

How do I get my VPN working with games?

Suffering from unexpected blocks while playing online games using a VPN can be frustrating. To ensure your gaming experience remains smooth and unrestricted, try the following:

• Update your software: Ensure both the game and your VPN service are running the latest software versions. Outdated software can lead to issues when attempting to unblock games or play foreign game servers.
• Check your settings: Check your VPN, game settings, and firewall to ensure nothing is blocking your access to the game server.
• Try a different server: If you have issues playing a game when connected to a specific server, then try another in the same region.
• Try a different protocol: We recommend a fast protocol like OpenVPN UDP or WireGuard for playing games.
• Use a VPN router: Popular router models can sometimes be used to connect to games consoles.