Did you try accessing US Netflix and you couldn’t unblock your favorite show? Maybe you changed your IP to download something, and now you’re struggling with low connection speeds?
NordVPN not working can be an annoying problem. But luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to get the app working again. Here are some fixes that always work for us:
- Connect to a new VPN server.
- Change NordVPN‘s default protocol.
- Check your subscription‘s validity.
- Scan your computer for viruses which could be causing connectivity issues.
- Restart the NordVPN app.
- Restart your PC and router.
- Turn off apps that can interfere with NordVPN.
- Deactivate IPv6 in your network settings.
- Update the NordVPN app, especially if you’re using Linux.
- Allow NordVPN through the Windows Firewall.
- Enable custom DNS settings.
- Restart the TAP adapter on Windows.
- Contact NordVPN support.
- Get another VPN.
We think NordVPN is the best VPN on the market. But if it let you down and you’re looking for an alternative, we can recommend Surfshark. It’s fast, stable, and even cheaper than NordVPN.
Surfshark
If you need more help, the article below has detailed breakdowns on how to perform all of the fixes we mentioned above.
NordVPN is our top virtual private network, and we recommend it with confidence. However, all good tools can malfunction at times. NordVPN is no different, and you can experience connectivity issues, network drops, or the inability to unblock foreign sites while using NordVPN. It’s not a common occurrence, but it can happen.
So what then? If NordVPN is not working, how can you get it functioning again? We researched all the tricks to get NordVPN up and running after a slump. In our almost 10 years of using NordVPN, we’ve also found a lot of little-known tricks that can help you make NordVPN operative again.
NordVPN Not Working: 14 Quick Fixes
Before you attempt anything on this list, make sure that NordVPN is really the source of your problem. Disconnect the VPN, and see if the problem persists. If the problem goes away, then it could be NordVPN’s fault.
If it didn’t, you might need to look into other network fixes. Connectivity issues can arise from a lot of problems, including infrastructure problems, network outages, ISP throttling, and more.
If you’re trying to stream geo-restricted content on a website like Netflix, but are still getting errors, you may just need to reconnect to NordVPN and open a private or incognito browser window or clear your cache. Sometimes, we’ve found that privacy-friendly browsers like Mozilla Firefox — rather than Google Chrome — solve common streaming problems.
If you ruled all of that out, then let’s get into the best fixes for NordVPN.
1. Change your VPN server
The quickest way to get a VPN working again is to connect to other NordVPN servers. This is because VPN servers can get overcrowded, or their IP address can be tracked by the services you’re trying to access. In NordVPN, you can change your server by pressing the Quick Connect button, or by picking a country from the left side of the screen.
Remember that the further away a server is, the slower your connection will get. If you have a slow base connection, you might experience lag on faraway servers no matter what you do. But this is the first and easiest trick to get NordVPN going again.
2. Change the VPN tunneling protocol
NordVPN uses several protocols for its connections, like OpenVPN and NordLynx. Luckily, you can switch between these protocols from NordVPN’s settings, giving you more freedom over how the app operates. You might want to change protocols when NordVPN’s not working, as it can help your connection quality.
We did this with a Mac as an example, but apps across NordVPN operate similarly. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the NordVPN settings by clicking on the cogwheel in the bottom-left corner.
- This should open the “General Setting.” Look for the “VPN Protocol” option.
- Change your protocol. Try both OpenVPN options and see which one works better for you.
- Repeat with all protocols until you find one that solves the NordVPN not working problem.
Keep in Mind:
Available protocols differ based on your device.
3. Make sure your account is still active
NordVPN can stop working if your subscription expires. While billing is automatic with NordVPN, you may have canceled your renewal in the past, or the payment method you use may have expired. To check if you have an active subscription, open NordVPN’s settings and click on “Account.” Here, you can see the expiration date of your subscription.
If you don’t have an active subscription, make sure you renew your plan with NordVPN here.
4. Check your computer for viruses
Connectivity issues might not be your VPN’s fault. In fact, an unusually slow internet connection can be a sign that your computer is infected with malware. If that’s the problem you were dealing with, you should scan your computer for viruses. You can use free antivirus for this if you’re on a budget. But if you want to be safe, we recommend investing in paid antivirus software.
We’ve been testing the best antivirus apps for years, and in our opinion, Norton is the best pick you can make. It has outstanding results in independent antivirus tests, and foolproof security, it’s affordable, and it comes with a lot of extra features like a password manager.
Try it today and see if that’s your issue.
5. Restart NordVPN
You might not think that restarting the NordVPN app will help. But we had a lot of bugs and problems with premium VPNs that we were able to solve by just turning the app off, and then turning it on again. It’s a simple fix, and it can work for a lot of simple problems.
Just make sure that you turn the NordVPN app off completely, not just minimize it in the background. To do that on Windows, you’ll want to turn off its process from the Task Manager and click “End Task.”
If you’re using a Mac, you’ll want to hover the NordVPN icon in your dock, right-click it, and select “Quit.”
If you have to, log out of the VPN and log back in with your username and credentials.
6. Restart your devices
A bug or glitch in the NordVPN app can be caused by problems with your computer or router. That’s why restarting your devices can be a good idea if NordVPN is not working, and you can’t solve the problem in any other way. If you have any outstanding OS updates, make sure you install those too. This can help solve any compatibility issues between your operating system and the NordVPN app.
On top of restarting your device, restart your router as well. Most routers have a power button, and you can just press that once to turn it off, and then once again to turn it back on. If you want to find out more about optimizing your router, check out our guide on how to configure your router for maximum security and privacy.
7. Turn off apps that can interfere with NordVPN
NordVPN can have a lot of impact on your network settings, and your computer’s network activity. But it’s not the only app messing with your network options. Antivirus apps, firewalls, and especially other VPNs or proxies can overlap with NordVPN, and interfere with its proper functioning. Since we test a lot of VPNs, we actually experience this a lot.
If NordVPN is not working because of interfering apps, deactivate them temporarily. You’ll want to close any browser windows too, and keep any device activity to a minimum, just in case. After you do this, try NordVPN again, and see if the problem persists.
Don't Forget:
Make sure to turn your antivirus, firewall, or any similar app back on.
8. Turn off IPv6 in your computer’s network settings
IPv6 is an Internet Protocol (IP) used for the identification and localization of computers over networks. Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t use the IPv6 protocol at the moment. Instead, they change your IPv4 address and take some measures to hide your IPv6 information from the sites you visit. This is a common practice among VPNs, but it’s not foolproof. Your IPv6 information may leak, and give your actual location away.
This can make NordVPN unable to unblock streaming sites. To avoid this problem, you can deactivate IPv6 addresses on your device.
Turning off IPv6 on Mac
Here’s how you can do it on a Mac device:
- Open your “System Preferences” and select “Network.”
- Click on your network. It’s usually labeled as “Wi-Fi.”
- Open your network “Details.”
- Select “TCP/IP” in the left-hand menu.
- Change IPv6 to “Link-local only.”
- Click “OK.” You will be asked to provide your password.
- Try connecting to a NordVPN server again.
Turning of IPv6 on a Windows PC
If you use a Windows PC, you can deactivate IPv6 by following this guide:
- Open your “Network and Internet” settings. You can find this control panel in your main settings.
- Click on the “Network and Sharing Center.”
- Click on “Change Adapter Settings.”
- Right-click on your connection and click on “Properties” in the drop-down menu that appears.
- Uncheck the box next to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”
- Reconnect to NordVPN and see if the problem is fixed.
9. Update the NordVPN app
NordVPN automatically updates its app on most operating systems, so you probably don’t need to do this. Or certainly don’t ignore those update prompts! But if you’re struggling with NordVPN not working, it can’t hurt to get a fresh install. First, uninstall the NordVPN app. Then, go to NordVPN’s app download page and get the latest installer for your device. Install the app, and see if the NordVPN problem persists.
If you’re on Linux, you’ll need to update the NordVPN app yourself. To do this, simply run these commands:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install nordvpn
10. Allow NordVPN through the Windows Defender Firewall
NordVPN service is automatically allowed through the Windows Firewall during installation, so this shouldn’t be an issue. However, older versions of the Windows Defender may interfere with NordVPN’s operation. You may have also installed apps that affect firewall settings, or unknowingly revoked firewall permissions in the past. So here’s how you can allow NordVPN through the Windows Firewall:
- Open the “Update and Security” settings menu from the Windows control panel.
- Select “Firewall & network protection” from the Windows Security menu.
- Click on “Allow an app through firewall” in the list of hyperlinked options.
- Select “Change Settings.”
- Look for NordVPN in the list and make sure the box next to it is ticked.
11. Use custom DNS server configuration
The DNS is like the internet’s phone book (or list of contacts in your phone). It keeps track of website IP addresses on DNS servers all over the globe, to make sure we can access sites quickly and without too much lag. NordVPN uses its own DNS to manage queries, which can malfunction at times. A good way to fix connectivity or unblocking issues with NordVPN is to use custom DNS settings.
This is a complicated process, and you can find out more about it in our guide on DNS servers. But if you know your way around network settings, you can change your DNS settings to NordVPN’s recommended ones:
DNS1: 103.86.96.100
DNS2: 103.86.99.100
12. Restart the TAP adapter on Windows
The TAP adapter is a crucial component of NordVPN’s operation. If it’s not working properly, this can lead to problems with NordVPN. And while a reinstall should have restarted the TAP adapter as well, you can do it manually by following this guide:
- Open the “Network and Sharing Center” from your Control Panel.
- Click on “Change adapter settings.”
- Find the network tagged “TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter.”
- Right-click the network and select “Disable.”
- Enable the VPN connection after a few moments.
13. Contact the NordVPN customer support team
If all else fails, NordVPN’s support team can help you get the app working again. We’ve contacted NordVPN’s support team in the past, and every time they were able to solve our problem without too much hassle. For example, we’ve contacted them about NordVPN not connecting with streaming platforms, and they helped us unblock different sites.
Every time we’ve contacted NordVPN we’ve had to first talk to a chatbot. This can get annoying, but if you type “live agent” you should be queued to talk with an actual human in no time and get down to your problem and solution.
14. Change your VPN software
NordVPN is our top pick for changing or hiding your IP address. We can’t recommend it enough. But if it keeps failing you, you can look into other premium VPNs.
From our tests, Surfshark is the best alternative to NordVPN. It has similar speed test results, an expansive network, top-tier security features, and it’s cheaper than NordVPN. Not to mention, it has a free trial on some devices, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN Not Working With Netflix: How to Fix
Netflix is one of the hardest streaming platforms to unblock with VPNs. We’ve had success accessing its libraries with NordVPN, but it can stop working at times. If you can’t access Netflix with NordVPN, here’s what you can do:
- Log into Netflix first, then turn the VPN on. This is the best way to circumvent Netflix geo-restrictions
- Change browsers or open a private window. This makes sure you can’t be identified by your browser fingerprint. Clearing your cookies and cache is another option.
- Change VPN servers. This is another quick and easy way to solve NordVPN connectivity issues.
- Reinstall the Netflix app if you’re not accessing the site from a browser.
- Check that what you’re searching for is available on Netflix. You can use Unogs to see Netflix’s library in different countries.
- Contact NordVPN support. We’ve had success unblocking Netflix in the past with help from NordVPN’s support team.
NordVPN Not Working With Prime
Prime is another popular streaming platform that could be harder to access at times. We’ve always been able to unblock it with NordVPN, but if it’s not working for you, here’s what you can do:
- Switch browsers or use incognito mode or a private browsing window. This can hide your browser data from Prime.
- Log into Prime before connecting to NordVPN. It’s the best strategy to unblock Prime shows and movies from other countries.
- Connect to another NordVPN server. If you had connectivity or unblocking issues on one server, switching it may solve the problem.
- Contact NordVPN’s support team. They were always able to help us get around geo-restrictions.
NordVPN Not Working On FireStick
Fire TV Sticks are great for entertainment, but they can also be harder to use for unblocking different streaming platforms. If NordVPN’s not working on your Fire Stick, here are a few things you can try:
- Create a Fire TV Stick account in your target country. This can help if your location data is stored on your account.
- Connect to a new NordVPN server. Fire TV Stick has apps for all but first-generation devices, so this should be pretty easy.
- Clear your app cache.
- Contact NordVPN’s support team. They should help you solve any outstanding problems.
NordVPN Not Working with Torrents
NordVPN is a fast VPN that allows P2P file sharing. This lets you enjoy fast download speeds while torrenting anonymously. At least most of the time. So what can you do if you experience low torrent download speeds while using NordVPN?
- Change your NordVPN server. Low download speeds can be a result of overcrowded servers.
- Check how many seeders the file you’re downloading has. If the file has little to no seeders, that may be the source of your problem.
- Pause and restart the download. If your client supports it, also enable force start.
- Look for a different tracker that helps you download the same file. if you’re not sure where to find one, check our list of the best torrent sites.
- Contact the NordVPN support team about your torrent downloading problem.
The Best NordVPN Alternatives
We think NordVPN is the best VPN on the market. But if it’s been consistently letting you down, you might want to look for an alternative. Here’s an overview of the three best NordVPN alternatives, and their main features.
| Feature |  Surfshark |  ExpressVPN |  CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 3,200+ servers across 100 countries | 3,000+ servers across 94 countries | 6,000+ servers across 100 countries |
| Torrents / P2P allowed? | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Works with Netflix USA? | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 5 | 7 |
| Works with | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Price | From $2.30 per month | From $6.67 per month | From $2.19 per month |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days |
| Website |
Conclusion: NordVPN Not Working and How to Fix it
NordVPN not working can be really annoying. If you’ve been struggling to unblock Netflix with it, or it’s been slowing down your connection, there are a few things you can try. First, connect to a different server. That’s usually the easiest and most effective fix for all premium VPN issues. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your devices, reinstalling the VPN app, changing its protocols, or any other tip from our list.
When all else fails, you should contact NordVPN’s support team and ask them for help. But if you don’t want to bother, you can pick a NordVPN alternative, like Surfshark. It’s fast, reliable, cheaper than NordVPN, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our Surfshark review or go try it risk-free for 30 days.
Want to learn more about how to fix common issues in popular VPN providers? Check out our article below:
- ExpressVPN Not Working? Try These Fixes
- Surfshark Not Working: Top Troubleshooting Tips
- CyberGhost VPN Not Working? How to Fix Common Issues
If you’re still not sure how to get NordVPN working again, check the FAQ section below for more information.
NordVPN might not connect for a lot of reasons, like software incompatibility, overlapping settings from other apps, or server issues. Try connecting to a different server, and see if the problem persists. If it does, you can try deactivating all potentially clashing apps, like firewalls and antivirus software.
NordVPN doesn’t automatically connect when you first install it. You need to turn the app on, and connect manually. However, you can enable auto-connect in the NordVPN app, under General settings. For more details on how NordVPN works, read our NordVPN review.
NordVPN might not be working for a variety of reasons. Usually, a server might be down or overcrowded, its IP might have leaked, or there’s some incompatibility between the NordVPN app and other apps on the user’s device.
NordVPN could be blocking your internet connection if there’s some interference with other network settings or apps. Try restarting your computer and see if that fixes it. If it doesn’t, consider reinstalling the NordVPN app, or contacting NordVPN’s support team.
