Can’t Connect to VPN? Here’s How to Fix It
If you’re having trouble connecting to your VPN, don’t fret – there are several simple solutions you can try ranging from switching servers or resetting DNS records.
An encrypted VPN tunnel protects your privacy by redirecting all your traffic through it; however, this method isn’t always reliable.
Check your internet connection
If your VPN fails, it could be due to an unstable internet connection; in this instance, it will be necessary to resolve the issue before connecting to the VPN service.
As with any VPN service, NordVPN or otherwise, having a steady internet connection is key to enjoying an effective experience with their VPN services. Many factors can contribute to an unstable internet connection – these may include Wi-Fi interference, slow servers and ISP issues among others.
To address these issues, try various options to try and solve them. For instance, try changing the server location or switching up protocols or even browsing from different devices or browsers.
Your VPN may also not be functioning due to outdated or incompatible software versions, which is an increasingly prevalent issue with VPNs. To make sure it remains up-to-date and compatible with future releases of the service, running software updates on your device is the way to do this.
If all else fails, don’t hesitate to contact your VPN’s support team and inform them of all of the troubleshooting steps you have already attempted; this will enable them to quickly determine what’s causing the issue and how best to address it.
VPNs work by routing all of your Internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server, protecting all of your data from prying eyes while creating the illusion that traffic originates from within the VPN’s server, rather than your own computer. While using a VPN is an excellent way of protecting privacy, it may cause issues if your Internet connection becomes unstable.
In such an instance, it’s best to attempt multiple fixes at once. Rebooting your router or computer may help, as may adjusting VPN settings or even uninstalling and reinstalling apps and configuring them again – anything to rule out potential problems and get your VPN up and running as soon as possible!
If the speed of your VPN provider is becoming unacceptable, it might be time for a change. With so many excellent providers out there offering reliable VPN service and reviews comparing features can help find one which fits best.
Check your VPN settings
If your VPN is misconfigured and still can’t access the Internet, it could be because it is misconfigured. VPNs act like digital intermediaries between your device and the Internet, shielding your activity from others on your network or even ISP – but misconfiguration leaves you vulnerable to security risks or data leakage.
VPNs come equipped with various settings, including protocol, server selection and split tunnelling. Each of these aspects can have an effect on your connection speed and reliability; some servers may be more congested than others while some protocols might cause slower connections than others. To troubleshoot a problem you could try switching protocols or connecting to another server; you could also check date/time settings as these could also play a factor.
Other third-party software programs may also interfere with your VPN’s performance, such as firewall or antivirus software. If this occurs, temporarily disabling them to test your VPN connection before reactivating any third-party programs to see if there are still issues.
Use DNS Leak Test to discover whether or not your VPN is leaving you exposed. This service allows for standard or extended tests of how well it masks your real IP address from public internet traffic; if results indicate that private information is being exposed then switching is likely necessary.
If your VPN application is unable to connect because it’s not listed among your allowed apps, there could be an underlying firewall issue that needs addressing. You should open your firewall settings and add your VPN app as one of the approved programs in order to fix this. If that still does not solve it for you, reach out to customer support of your provider for further assistance.
Some VPNs provide customers with options, including kill switches and traffic obfuscation. If your VPN provider doesn’t appear in our list, check their website to learn about any features they provide.
Check your router settings
There can be several causes for why your router may not connect to a VPN, some being easily resolved and others more complex. As a first step, make sure your router is compatible with one; usually this information can be found either within its product manual or by reaching out directly to the provider of VPN service.
If your router is compatible, make sure its configuration settings are optimized. Here you can change the default gateway and DNS server addresses, as well as activate or deactivate features like traffic obfuscation, kill switch and custom DNS services. Furthermore, be sure that it has the latest firmware installed!
Your first line of defense against VPN problems may be to change its server location or reinstall its software application, as this could potentially address network congestion, maintenance needs or being overloaded by users.
Good news is that there are now numerous VPN services that provide dedicated router software. With these apps installed on your router, all devices in your home or office can access VPN connection – providing additional protection and improving the security of all of their connected devices. This can provide a much-needed added layer of protection and ensure all are properly protected against threats.
Some routers come preloaded with VPN-capable firmware like AsusWRT or OpenWRT; alternatively, third-party firmware such as Asus Merlin can make your router VPN-ready in just a few clicks. Failing that, you could always flash your router with an operating system capable of supporting VPN connections for an extra step in setup.
ExpressVPN’s router software enables you to quickly connect any Asus or Linksys router to their VPN service, with easy. Furthermore, it lets you choose among their thousands of servers where you wish to connect – making them one of the most flexible VPN services on the market. Its free app supports OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec protocols as well as working with almost all models from these manufacturers.
Check your firewall settings
If your VPN software won’t connect, it could be that a firewall or antivirus program is interfering. Try disabling them, rebooting your device, then visiting a website to see if everything is working as intended.
VPN providers occasionally take servers offline for maintenance or upgrades, though this should happen only rarely and affected servers should return online within several hours. If you have been unable to connect for longer, your VPN may have decided not to support that location due to low popularity or local laws (NordVPN recently removed their Russian servers in order to comply with new privacy regulations).
Checking your firewall status is as easy as opening the Apple menu and choosing System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Security & Privacy Settings, then clicking Security & Privacy again > Firewall Options, adding VPN apps like your VPN service as allowed apps; alternatively you could try adding one via the “VPN Passthrough” feature of your router’s firewall if that feature exists.
DHCP clients typically require specific ports or protocols be opened or forwarded in order to access remote networks, especially those using an IPSec VPN. You can find this information either in your router’s manual or manufacturer website; generally speaking, UDP port 500 must be forwarded and protocols 50 (ESP) and 51 (AH) must also be enabled in order for IPSec to function effectively.
Certain VPNs employ their own custom protocols that may conflict with existing security settings. If you use an older VPN app, make sure it fits within the framework of your existing security infrastructure by ensuring all required ports and protocols are enabled.
VPN apps offer multiple protocols, with some more reliable than others. Check your app settings to see if there are any option related to OpenVPN (opens in new tab), IKEv2 or WireGuard that could be changed; using one that supports by ISP or router will ensure a more stable connection experience. Similarly, changing server location may help as some may become overcrowded over time.
