Is ExpressVPN not working? ExpressVPN is a top VPN provider with some great features, but like any other software it may experience problems that will affect its functionality.
But don’t worry. We have devised a detailed list with some effective troubleshooting tips to help you if ExpressVPN is not working for you. These are the fixes we recommend:
- Check your internet connection to ensure ExpressVPN is the problem.
- Disable your firewall/whitelist ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a different VPN server location.
- Switch to a different protocol (we recommend OpenVPN).
- Update the ExpressVPN app.
- Disable your antivirus as it may be blocking your VPN.
- Uninstall other VPN Clients (on mobile).
- Clear your app cache as it may be full.
- Remove and reinstall ExpressVPN.
- Contact ExpressVPN’s customer support team.
If all else fails, or if you encounter ExpressVPN issues frequently, you can consider an ExpressVPN alternative. We recommend NordVPN, thanks to its stable connections, excellent encryption and security features, and great streaming capabilities.
Check out the complete article below for more in-depth info on our ExpressVPN troubleshooting tips.
Is ExpressVPN not working with your favorite streaming service, or are you annoyed because ExpressVPN won’t connect at all? Although ExpressVPN is one of the very best VPNs out there, you might run into some issues occasionally that may affect how well your VPN connection is working.
Fortunately, this article will address 10 fixes to get ExpressVPN working at its full capacity again. We’ll also discuss some ExpressVPN alternatives should you prefer to switch to another VPN provider.
The best alternative for us is NordVPN, thanks to its secure connections, enhanced streaming features, and affordable price.
Express Not Working: 10 Quick Fixes
There are several reasons your VPN may not be working, as we explain in more detail below. However, before you attempt any of the fixes we recommend in the following sections, it is best to ensure that your VPN is actually the problem and not some other device feature.
The simplest way to see if ExpressVPN is malfunctioning is to disconnect the VPN service. If you notice that whatever issue you are having is no longer there, then it is most likely that ExpressVPN is the problem, and you can try the fixes we are suggesting below.
Without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into how you can fix potential problems you may be experiencing with ExpressVPN.
Step 1. Check your internet connection
When you have connection issues, ExpressVPN might not necessarily be the problem. It could be that your internet connection is simply not functioning well or isn’t configured properly. So, the VPN app not working may not be the issue.
The best way to verify this is by simply disconnecting from ExpressVPN and visiting any web page. If you’re able to do so, you are at least connected to the internet.
If you aren’t able to connect to the internet, you’ll have to do some network troubleshooting. To do so on Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar or on your keyboard.
- Type “Find and fix network problems.”
- Click on the first result that appears.
- Click “Next” in the window that appears.
- Select “Troubleshoot my connection to the internet.”
- Follow the instructions that Windows proposes to fix your connection issues, if any.
Alternatively, you might be connected to the internet, but your connection might be very slow. If it seems like ExpressVPN is not loading or like ExpressVPN is blocking your internet, this might be the case.
To test if your internet speed is the issue, follow these steps:
- Type “speed test” into Google’s search bar and press Enter.
- Select the result that reads “Speedtest by Ookla.”
- Click on “Go” and wait till you get your results.
If you suffer from a very slow connection, you can try one of these three solutions:
- Try to get closer to your router.
- Connect your device, if possible, to your router using an ethernet cable. This generally yields much better results than connecting through Wi-Fi.
- If the issue persists, consider switching to a different internet provider.
Step 2. Disable your firewall/whitelist ExpressVPN
Is ExpressVPN not working or not connecting, even after you made sure there are no network connection issues? In that case, your Windows Defender Firewall or device’s firewall might just be blocking ExpressVPN’s connections.
You can temporarily disable your firewall to check if this is the case. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar or on your keyboard.
- Select “Firewall & network protection.”
- You’ll see all of your firewalls.
- Click on each of these and flip the blue switch you see.
We only recommend following the steps above to test if your firewall is blocking ExpressVPN. If you find this is the case, you can whitelist ExpressVPN, so your firewall will no longer block it. Follow these steps to do this:
- Click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar or on your keyboard.
- Type “Firewall & network protection.”
- At the bottom, click on “Allow an app through firewall.”
- In the next window, first, select “Change settings.”
- Select “Allow another app.”
- Click on “Browse,” select the app you want to allow through your firewall, such as ExpressVPN, and select “Add.”
Step 3. Connect to a different server
One of our other ExpressVPN troubleshooting tips is to connect to a different server. This might not be a very high-tech solution, but switching to other ExpressVPN server locations can work wonders at times.
Apart from issues that can arise when you connect to a server that’s very far away from you, like slow speeds, individual servers can experience issues that are limited to those servers. Top VPNs like ExpressVPN have thousands of servers to choose from, so you’ll surely find one that will not present any problems.
To change servers in ExpressVPN, simply open the app, click on the three dots to the right of “Selected Location,” and choose your desired server. Lastly, click on the big “Connect” button at the top.
Step 4. Switch to a different protocol
This is another small fix with potentially huge results when ExpressVPN won’t connect or when ExpressVPN’s service is unreachable. Simply follow these steps to switch between different VPN protocols and see if that fixes the problem:
- Open the ExpressVPN app.
- Click on the three little bars in the top-left corner and select “Options.”
- Click on “Protocol” at the top.
- Select a protocol and click “OK.”
Different protocols work well on different devices, so it’s definitely worth experimenting a little bit if you’re having ExpressVPN problems. However, if possible, we strongly recommend sticking with OpenVPN because of its great balance between security and speed.
Step 5. Update the ExpressVPN app
Just like with any other software, if you find ExpressVPN not working as it should, the app may not be up-to-date. Like many other (VPN) apps, ExpressVPN will notify you if you haven’t installed the latest update yet.
When you see this notification, click on “Update now.” You’ll now be taken to the ExpressVPN website, where you can download the latest ExpressVPN version. Click on “Download.”
Locate the download of the ExpressVPN installation file and open it.
You’ll now see the familiar “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” message popping up. Select “Yes” and click through the windows that follow.
Step 6. Disable your antivirus (whitelist ExpressVPN)
It might be that your antivirus is actually blocking your VPN. This online security application might (ironically) mistake ExpressVPN or another VPN app for malware. As a result, your antivirus software won’t allow you to open the app.
Similarly, lots of antivirus programs have a built-in firewall. As discussed above, your firewall might be blocking ExpressVPN as well.
Step 7. Uninstall other VPN clients (on your mobile device)
You can only be connected to one VPN at a time. If you attempt to connect to two or more VPNs at once, or if this happens accidentally, connection issues quickly follow.
Especially on mobile, where you have a bit less control over all the processes that are running simultaneously, it might be wise to limit yourself to one VPN app to prevent ExpressVPN problems.
This is how to uninstall a VPN app on Android devices to prevent ExpressVPN issues:
- Locate the other VPN app you want to remove on your home screen or in your app library.
- Tap and hold the app and start dragging it upwards.
- Move it to the top left corner, where you’ll see the word “Uninstall.”
- Confirm by tapping “Uninstall” once more.
To uninstall another VPN app to prevent ExpressVPN issues on iPhone, follow these steps:
- Locate the VPN app you want to uninstall on your home screen or in your app library.
- Tap the app and hold.
- Tap “Remove app” or “Delete app” and follow the steps to delete the app.
Step 8. Clear your app cache
Sometimes, ExpressVPN issues, or other app issues, can arise when the app’s cache is full. Cache memory helps apps retrieve data fast and efficiently, but it has less storage capacity than RAM, our devices’ main short-term storage solution. This leads us to one more ExpressVPN troubleshooting tip: clearing your cache.
To clear ExpressVPN’s cache on Android, simply follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “About phone.”
- Select “Storage.”
- Tap “Apps and data.”
- Locate ExpressVPN and select it.
- Tap “Clear cache.”
- Confirm by tapping “OK.”
On iPhone, there is, unfortunately, no dedicated option to clear an app’s cache. However, you can “offload” the app. This essentially means you will delete the app without deleting documents and settings associated with the app.
Offloading an app is a great option to have at your disposal, as it will function just like you’re used to after installing it again. We strongly suspect it also clears the app’s cache memory, as it deletes everything except for user settings and media.
To offload ExpressVPN on your iPhone, simply follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “General.”
- Tap “iPhone storage.”
- Locate the ExpressVPN app and select it.
- Tap “Offload App.”
- Confirm by selecting “Offload app” again.
Step 9. Remove and reinstall ExpressVPN
Have you tried virtually anything, and is ExpressVPN not working even after all your efforts? Then, it might be time to remove and reinstall ExpressVPN. This might just solve any ExpressVPN issues you’re experiencing.
As an added benefit, you’ll get the latest version of ExpressVPN, which in and of itself might fix any issues you’re experiencing (see above). If you want to remove and reinstall ExpressVPN on Windows, you can follow these instructions:
- Click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar or on your keyboard.
- Type “ExpressVPN” into the search bar that pops up.
- Click on “Uninstall.”
- You’ll now be taken to a list of all your Windows programs. Locate ExpressVPN and click on it.
- Select “Yes” and confirm you want to uninstall ExpressVPN.
- Go to the ExpressVPN website and install ExpressVPN again.
To delete and reinstall ExpressVPN on Android, do as follows:
- Follow the first guide under “Step 8: Uninstall other VPN clients (only on mobile)” above, with ExpressVPN being the app you’ll delete this time.
- Go to the Google Play store and install ExpressVPN.
To remove and reinstall ExpressVPN on iPhone, follow these steps:
- Follow the second guide under “Step 8: Uninstall other VPN clients (only on mobile)” above. This time, ExpressVPN is the app you’ll delete.
- Go to the App Store and reinstall ExpressVPN.
Step 10. Contact ExpressVPN’s customer support
If ExpressVPN won’t connect by using the fixes in this article, it’s time to contact ExpressVPN’s customer support. ExpressVPN is always very responsive and helpful when we contact it, and they can definitely help you with ExpressVPN troubleshooting.
You’re probably best off contacting ExpressVPN through their live chat. To do so, follow these steps:
- Go to the ExpressVPN website.
- Click on the little green bar that reads, “Need help? Chat with us!.”
- Fill out the email address associated with your account and click on “Start chat.”
Now, you can explain the problem you’re experiencing to ExpressVPN’s customer support, and they’ll try their best to resolve it.
ExpressVPN Not Working With Netflix: How to Fix
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix, and we have not encountered problems getting the app working with Netflix while we were testing the provider. However, if you do run into issues with ExpressVPN and Netflix, here are a few things you can try:
- Log into your Netflix account and turn ExpressVPN on.
- Open your browser in Incognito Mode or use a browser you haven’t used before to prevent Netflix from identifying you from your browser fingerprint.
- Choose another ExpressVPN server, as sometimes, if there are too many people on a specific server, it may be overcrowded and may not work for everyone.
- Get in touch with the ExpressVPN customer support team if you have tried all the above and still cannot get access to Netflix. They have helpful and knowledgeable agents who are there to help you solve any issues you may encounter with the VPN.
ExpressVPN Not Working With Prime? How to Fix
If Amazon Prime has gotten hold of your location, it will prevent you from using it even with a top VPN like ExpressVPN. However, you can try the steps below to get ExpressVPN to work with Prime:
- Use a browser like Mozilla Firefox, which is one of the best privacy-friendly browsers, or open your browser in Incognito Mode.
- Log into your Amazon Prime account before using ExpressVPN.
- Change your ExpressVPN server and choose another location.
- Contact the ExpressVPN support team to help you bypass Amazon Prime’s geo-blocks.
- Switch to another VPN provider. NordVPN has never failed us at bypassing geo-restrictions on Amazon Prime as it is an unblocking powerhouse.
ExpressVPN Not Working On Firestick? How to Fix
If you encounter problems using your Firestick with ExpressVPN, we also have a few tricks up our sleeve to help you get it to work with the VPN. Try one or all of the following steps:
- Change the information in your Firestick account and use the country you want to watch content from. If you have your own country in your account, you may not be able to access the platform.
- Go to the “Applications” setting and clear your cache to remove all previous data.
- Choose another ExpressVPN server location.
- Send a message to the ExpressVPN customer team.
ExpressVPN Not Working With Torrents? How to Fix
ExpressVPN allows P2P file sharing (torrenting) on all its servers. However, if you encounter any issues while torrenting with ExpressVPN, there are a few simple things you can try to overcome this problem, such as:
- Ensure there are enough people seeding the file you are trying to download.
- Change the server you are currently using, as there may be too many users in that specific location.
- Stop and start the download again. Sometimes, this helps to get things going.
- Look for another torrent site.
- Get in touch with ExpressVPN’s team. They can guide you through your problem and help you find a solution.
The Best Alternatives to ExpressVPN
The steps mentioned above will most likely fix any ExpressVPN issues you’re experiencing. Even so, you might be considering getting an ExpressVPN alternative, especially if your ExpressVPN problems are more frequent.
You’ll be happy to hear there are some outstanding ExpressVPN alternatives you can choose from.
Based on our extensive tests of over 70 VPN providers, NordVPN is the best ExpressVPN alternative. It is 40% cheaper than ExpressVPN, offers dedicated IP addresses that only you can use (ExpressVPN does not), and has the fastest speeds out of all VPNs.
Check out our table below for more details on NordVPN’s features. We have also added two more VPN providers that have excelled during our testing circuits: Surfshark and CyberGhost.
| Feature |  NordVPN |  Surfshark |  CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 6000+ servers across 61 countries | 3200+ servers across 100 countries | 11500+ servers across 100 countries |
| Supports torrents/P2P? | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Unblocks Netflix US? | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Works with | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 | Unlimited | 7 |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx (WireGuard) | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Logging policy | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Price/month | $ 2.99 | $ 1.99 | $ 2.03 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days |
| Website |
Surfshark and CyberGhost are two of our top VPN providers. They both have servers in around 100 countries worldwide, even though CyberGhost has twice the number of servers Surfshark has. However, with Surfshark, you can connect unlimited devices, whereas CyberGhost offers the option to protect seven devices simultaneously.
Nevertheless, NordVPN is our No.1 VPN provider because of its robust unblocking capabilities, enhanced encryption, and user-friendly interface.
Why Is ExpressVPN Not Working? Try These 10 Fixes
In this article, we’ve seen that ExpressVPN, even though it’s one of the best VPNs, might have some connection issues.
Fortunately, there are also some easy fixes to solve these issues, including switching to a different server or protocol, whitelisting ExpressVPN or allowing it through your firewall, clearing the app’s cache, contacting support, and others.
In case ExpressVPN issues pop up more often, you might consider switching to a different VPN. We wholeheartedly recommend NordVPN in this case. This provider offers stable connections, incredible security, very solid speeds, and great streaming capabilities. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee to try its premium features. Not content? You can ask for a full refund, meaning you can basically use NordVPN for free for a month!
If you have issues after getting an ExpressVPN alternative, we recommend checking out the articles below.
- NordVPN Not Working: How to Fix Common Issues
- Surfshark Not Working: Top Troubleshooting Tips
- CyberGhost VPN Not Working? How to Fix Common Issues
Do you have a specific question about ExpressVPN connection issues? Check out our FAQ down below to see if we’ve already answered your question.
ExpressVPN issues can arise for many different reasons, such as individual servers that aren’t working properly, your antivirus or firewall blocking ExpressVPN, an outdated ExpressVPN app, a faulty internet connection, and others.
If ExpressVPN isn’t working, we recommend first checking if you are connected to the internet and if your internet speed isn’t extremely low. If ExpressVPN still won’t connect, try a different server or protocol.
Also, make sure your antivirus or firewall isn’t blocking ExpressVPN by turning them off momentarily. If all else fails, you can consider getting a good ExpressVPN alternative, like NordVPN.
Netflix blocks several VPN servers, including many that belong to ExpressVPN, because of licensing rights. Many people use ExpressVPN to circumvent Netflix’s geo-restrictions, but Netflix has to uphold these restrictions to act in accordance with the content licensing agreements it has with content producers.
We recommend using a VPN with dedicated IPs, such as NordVPN, to get around Netflix’s geo-restrictions.
