VPNs are typically plug and play software with simple installations, making it easy to get started. But if your VPN isn’t working, you might need to troubleshoot. Before you raise a customer support ticket, check if our roundup of the most common VPN issues covers your problem:
- Check your internet connection by configuring your ports or kill switch settings.
- Change VPN servers, protocols, or providers to combat a poor internet connection speed.
- Troubleshoot Netflix connectivity problems if your VPN isn’t loading Netflix.
- Reconfigure your VPN if you’re unable to send emails while connected to the service.
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Looking for more specific troubleshooting tips? Check out our full writeup below for steps on how to fix the 4 most common VPN issues!
If you’ve run into issues while using your VPN, then you’re in the right place. Do you have trouble connecting to the internet? Or maybe your VPN connection keeps dropping? Whatever the case, our VPN experts have the solution for you.
To avoid common issues with VPNs, use a stable and reliable VPN. Based on our extensive reviews of 70+ VPNs, NordVPN has proven to be the most reliable and user-friendly VPN. It rarely drops or disrupts your connections, and its customer service will help you deal with any problems that arise.
The Most Common Problems With VPNs
Virtual private networks are useful for their ability to hide your IP address and grant you a new one from virtually any country in the world. This feature lets you unblock major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.
However, like any other software, VPNs can occasionally present with errors. From our experience, here are the issues VPN users are likely to encounter:
- Inability to connect to the internet
- Slow speeds
- Inability to access Netflix and other streaming services
- Emails failing to send
How do you troubleshoot your VPN in these scenarios? Below, we delve into the causes and solutions for each of these issues.
Quick Solutions: How to Troubleshoot Your VPN
There are some steps you can take to try and solve the problems outlined above. If your VPN is malfunctioning, try performing the following:
- Check your internet connection. Double-check if your device is connected to your Wi-Fi. Next, disconnect and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. If both of these steps fail, try resetting your router.
- Switch VPN servers. Your current VPN server may be having some issues. Try connecting to a different server and see if the problem persists.
- Update your VPN app. Old software may be riddled with vulnerabilities and glitches. Your VPN client should have an option to download and install an update. If not, visit your VPN’s website and download the VPN app from the homepage.
- Add your VPN to your Firewall whitelist. Open your firewall settings, add the VPN app to its list of allowed apps, and try again. This will ensure that your firewall isn’t blocking the VPN.
- Check your VPN settings. If you’re not sure what setting to change, restore the VPN to its default settings.
If your VPN issues persist after taking the steps above, check the specific sections relevant to your problem below.
Problem 1: My Internet Connection Doesn’t Work With a VPN
Can’t connect to the internet while your VPN is running? There are many factors that can cause this, including using outdated VPN software, misconfigured VPN settings, and your device firewall blocking the VPN service provider. It can also be something as simple as your internet not being properly connected.
First, go through our troubleshooting recommendations above. If none of those steps work, here are the solutions we recommend:
Change your VPN ports
Ports are virtual locations where information is sent. Each port is assigned to a certain type of traffic, so emails go through one port while web pages go through another. VPNs usually work with port 1194 TCP/UDP and port 443 TCP. Here’s how you can configure that on Windows:
- Open your Windows Start menu and search for “Firewall & network protection.”
- Once there, select Advanced Settings and then Inbound Rules.
- From the “Action” menu, select New Rule.
- Under “Rule Type,” select Port and click Next.
- Add the above port numbers to TCP (port 443 or 1194) or UDP (port 1194).
- Click Next and then Allow the connection.
- Check each of the network boxes on the following screen, and you’re done!
Note:
Changing your ports can cause all sorts of problems. Before doing so, we advise you to contact your internet provider or your VPN’s customer support and ask them to help fix the issue.
Check your VPN kill switch settings
If your VPN’s kill switch is activated, then it may be preventing you from connecting to the internet. A kill switch disables your internet when a VPN connection can’t be established. This feature is essential to ensuring that your data never leaks.
To troubleshoot your kill switch, go to your VPN’s settings and find the kill switch option. You can try temporarily disabling the kill switch to see if this fixes the problem.
You may find that your kill switch is preventing you from connecting to the internet, even though you are connected to a VPN server. In this case, you may need to contact customer support to help fix this problem, as it’s most likely an issue on your provider’s end.
Problem 2: My Internet Connection is Very Slow
VPNs will typically slow down your connection since all data traveling to and from your device is encrypted. Even so, the reduced speeds should be negligible or unnoticeable with a high-quality VPN (assuming you already have a fast internet connection).
If your VPN connection is unusually slow, here’s what you can do:
Change VPN servers
Your VPN might be slow because you’re connected to a busy or faraway server. If this is the cause of your problem, connecting to a different server should immediately solve it. Fortunately, the best VPNs offer thousands of servers (NordVPN has 6000+).
Slow servers are often seen in free VPNs. To better understand the issue, here are some reasons why a server is providing slow speeds:
- Busy server: The server is dealing with too many users at once, which is called “server congestion.” Free VPNs usually lack the resources to operate more than a handful of VPN servers at one time, leaving users no choice but to share the same crowded server at once.
- Distant server: The distance between you and the server has a major effect on speed. It takes less time for a nearby server to transmit data to and from your device than for a server located on the other side of the world.
The best solution is to choose a VPN with thousands of servers in multiple countries. NordVPN has a massive server network in 61 countries.
Change VPN protocols
Your VPN protocol dictates how your data is encrypted and sent from your device to the VPN server. Some VPN protocols offer better encryption at the cost of speed. The key is using a VPN whose protocol offers both tight encryption and fast speeds.
We recommend using WireGuard, as this protocol offers an excellent level of encryption while still allowing for fast connection speeds.
For a list of VPN protocol options, refer to the table below. Protocols are listed in order from what we most recommend to what we least recommend.
| VPN Protocol | Description | Operating Systems | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | A relatively new protocol that offers the fastest speeds, paired with a high level of encryption | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS | Online gaming, streaming, and torrenting |
| OpenVPN | An open-source protocol with fast speeds and good encryption, considered the “gold standard” | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS | VoIP calls |
| IKEv2 | A high-speed protocol with good encryption that’s considered the best choice for mobile devices | Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS | Mobile use |
| SSTP | Protocol with good speeds and high-level encryption, but with limited availability | Windows | Bypassing firewalls |
For more details on protocols and how they compare, check out our breakdown of the most commonly used VPN protocols.
Note:
Different VPNs offer different protocols. We recommend checking a VPN’s list of protocols before deciding to get a subscription. Some VPNs also offer proprietary protocols, like NordVPN’s NordLynx, which is based on WireGuard.
Optimize your internet connection
If you’ve tried adjusting your VPN software to no avail, your internet connection might already be slow without the VPN. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve a slow internet connection:
- Stop other devices from using the internet. The more devices use your internet connection, the slower your speed will be.
- Close all unnecessary tabs, windows, and processes. If you have too many websites open at once or are downloading and streaming at the same time, this can slow your connection down.
- Reboot your modem and router. Sometimes, these pieces of hardware can malfunction and fail to support a fast data transfer. A simple reboot is often enough to solve the problem.
- Use a different DNS server. Some VPN software encrypts and routes your DNS translation requests through the VPN provider’s own DNS servers. ExpressVPN is one such VPN offering a private and encrypted domain name system that keeps your translation requests hidden from your ISP and other third parties.
- Upgrade your internet service plan. Upgrade your data plan to one that’s faster. Be sure to try the above methods first.
- Contact your ISP. If all else fails, ask your internet service provider for help.
Upgrade to a fast VPN with reliable speeds
Choosing VPNs of lower quality could worsen any speed problems you have, especially when you’re using a free VPN with low data limits or a limited number of servers. The best way to avoid bad connection speeds is to invest in a fast VPN.
We recommend using NordVPN to keep your communications secure and private without sacrificing speed. It posted consistently high download and upload speed results in our VPN speed tests. One big plus of this VPN service is that it’s relatively cheap, so you’ll get high quality for just a few dollars a month.
Problem 3: My VPN is Not Working With Netflix
Like all streaming platforms, Netflix restricts the viewership of copyrighted content to regions where it has the right to broadcast. On top of that, Netflix uses proxy detection technology to screen the use of proxies and VPNs. As a result, it ensures that viewers from unlicensed regions can’t watch copyrighted content.
Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to watch Netflix and other streaming services without restrictions.
Clear your cache and cookies
When confronted with a Netflix proxy error, you should first either use incognito mode and try again or clear your cache and cookies. This will rid your device of any lingering location identifiers and cookies.
Follow the steps below to clear your cache and cookies in Google Chrome. Each browser’s interface looks a little different, but most modern browsers work in a similar way.
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser. This button will open up a drop-down menu.
- Click on Settings.
- In the Settings menu, select Clear browsing data. You will have the option to clear your history, cookies, passwords, and other cached data.
- Next, select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click the drop-down menu next to “Time range” and select All Time.
- Click Clear data.
Once this is done, you can open a new window and go to Netflix. Make sure your VPN is activated while you do this. With a bit of luck, you can now watch series and movies to your heart’s desire. If not, keep reading for more fixes.
Use a VPN with obfuscated servers
Obfuscated servers are specialized servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from the websites and apps you visit. These servers are ideal in repressive countries that restrict the use of VPNs, like China and Iran. They also work well with streaming services like Netflix, which can normally detect if you’re using a VPN.
The downside of this feature is that few VPNs offer obfuscated servers. And even then, most VPNs usually have fewer obfuscated server locations than regular VPN server locations.
Pro Tip:
You’ll have to manually switch to either OpenVPN (UCP) or OpenVPN (TCP) protocols in NordVPN’s settings menu. Otherwise, the obfuscated servers won’t show in your server list.
If you’re looking for a good VPN with obfuscated servers, we recommend NordVPN. NordVPN offers obfuscated servers in the US, Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, UAE, and more. These servers successfully unblock even the strictest of streaming services.
Contact your VPN service’s customer support
If none of the above tips work to get around the Netflix VPN ban, it’s time to contact your VPN’s customer support team. We recommend using a VPN service that includes 24/7 live chat support so a representative can direct you to a working server right away.
Streaming companies work around the clock to blacklist VPN servers, while VPN providers tirelessly discover new ways to bypass the VPN ban. A customer support representative will likely know which servers are currently working with Netflix, Hulu, or any other streaming service you’re trying to reach.
Problem 4: I Can’t Send Emails While Using My VPN
Can’t send an email when your VPN is running? This can be caused by two different things: either your email service is blocking your VPN’s IP, or your VPN is blocking the port used by your email service.
Switch to a different VPN server
Email providers might choose to block a VPN’s IP address. Usually, this is a security measure. If someone tries to access your inbox with an IP that is completely unfamiliar, chances are this person is a hacker or cybercriminal trying to get their hands on your information.
If your email service is blocking your VPN’s IP address, then all you need to do is connect to a different server. Another sure way to solve this problem is to get a dedicated IP address from your VPN provider.
Your VPN blocks your email service’s port
Sometimes, the problem is with the VPN itself. Some providers block insecure ports in order to protect you from spam and abuse. For example, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN block TCP port 25. If you want to access your email with these providers, you need to switch to more secure ports commonly used for email, such as port 587 or 465.
Another less secure solution to this problem is to send emails through an unencrypted internet connection. You can do this by using split tunneling. Split tunneling is a feature included in many VPNs, allowing you to choose which apps are protected by the VPN’s encryption tunnel and which aren’t.
If you exempt your email app to make sure it isn’t VPN-protected, you’ll be able to use it as normal — although this does make your connection less safe.
Conclusion: Troubleshooting Common VPN Issues
The issues mentioned above are the most common problems people run into when they use their virtual private network. However, there may come a day when you encounter a technical problem that doesn’t fit into any of the above categories. That would be a good time to turn to your VPN provider’s customer support team.
We believe it’s vital to use a VPN that not only minimizes the probability of running into issues but also offers great technical support. To this end, we recommend NordVPN.
NordVPN is our top-rated VPN provider among the 70+ VPNs that we’ve tested. It offers consistent lightning-fast speeds, advanced security features like a kill switch and split tunneling, and great customer support.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
You can also reach out to us in the comments section below. Simply send your concern or question, and our VPN experts will provide a solution for you.
For more information on fixing a VPN provider that may be encountering issues, check out the articles below:
- Surfshark Not Working: Top Troubleshooting Tips
- CyberGhost VPN Not Working? How to Fix Common Issues
- ExpressVPN Not Working? Try These Fixes
You aren’t the only one who’s had trouble getting a VPN to work. Below, you’ll find some of the most frequently asked questions regarding common VPN problems.
Some common reasons why your VPN might not work include:
- A faulty internet connection
- Strict firewalls
- A blocked port
- A busy VPN server
- Outdated VPN software
In any of these cases, you should try to troubleshoot your connection by doing the following: check if your Wi-Fi is working; add your VPN app to your firewall’s whitelist; switch to a different VPN server; and update your VPN app.
Your chosen VPN server was most likely blocked by Netflix’s proxy detection systems. Try one of these fixes to enjoy your favorite shows and movies:
- Clear your cache and cookies.
- Use your browser’s incognito mode to open Netflix.
- Connect to other VPN servers until you find one that works. Dedicated streaming servers will give you a higher chance of success.
- Get a VPN that is known to work with Netflix, like one from our list of the best Netflix VPNs.
To check if your VPN is working, use our IP address tool to see what IP address is being displayed. If the tool shows your real IP address, then your VPN isn’t working. If it shows the VPN’s IP address, then the VPN is working.
Your internet could disconnect while connected to a VPN for several reasons, including:
- Your device firewall could be blocking your VPN. Add the VPN to your device’s allow list.
- Your VPN could be misconfigured. Restore your VPN to default settings.
- Your VPN could be outdated. Update your VPN service.
Here are some tips to fix VPN connection issues:
- Check your internet connection.
- Change your VPN server.
- Reset your VPN to default settings.
- Check your firewall or antivirus.
- Update your VPN software.
my VPN is simply not working. it turns on it says its working (surfshark) when I check my IP address google says its the IP the vpn says it is but COMCAST can still see what I am doing because I get a DMCA warning the next morning for something I downloaded while on the VPN....
Suggestions?
Hi Chris!
That's very inconvenient. Have you made sure you're using the Surfshark app, instead of the browser extension? The extension will only work within your browser, and not beyond that, for example when you're torrenting. Other important things to check are your kill switch (make sure it's turned on) and your Bypasser (make sure you haven't actually told Surfshark to exclude certain apps from the encrypted connection). If all of this has been set up correctly, it might be worth contacting Surfshark's customer support directly so they can dive into the details with you. As a sidenote, we do want to warn you that illegal downloading with a VPN is still illegal, so please always make sure you act according to your local laws so you don't get into trouble!
Hi, vpn doesn’t works with Facebook or instagram. Yes, you can get location elsewhere, displays in facebook but the social media knows your real location too. I tried all famous vpn, with ip where i want but i still got ads from my real place.
Hi Sébastien!
Yes, unfortunately social media (especially platforms as invasive as Facebook and Instagram) know a lot more about you once you log in than a random other website would. Just a VPN won't make you anonymous on those platforms. As for your location, many socials use GPS to determine where you are in the world, so that's probably the issue you're running into. Luckily, you can easily solve this by adjusting your privacy settings on Facebook and Instagram. If you set your accounts up in the right way and use a VPN on top of that, you'll be much better protected online!