Picture this: you’re about to go online, and, being responsible, you try to connect to your VPN. But instead of smooth sailing, you’re frustrated because your VPN isn’t connecting! We understand that adding a VPN to your browsing routine is a smart move, but technical issues can make it feel like more trouble than it’s worth. Don’t give up just yet! Before you browse without protection, check out these common reasons for a VPN not connecting and the simple fixes that might get you back online.
Why is my VPN not connecting?
There are several reasons why your VPN may fail to connect, ranging from simple settings tweaks to more advanced technical issues. Nine times out of 10, you will be able to fix the problem on your own. However, if you aren’t, that is the best time to contact customer support. Free VPNs notoriously have lousy support options, leaving you wondering how to proceed. That’s just one of the reasons why you should consider a reputable brand like IPVanish. We offer 24/7 assistance via live chat and 9-5 phone support, so you can get help from a real person whenever you need it most.
Let’s dive into the list, ordered from most obvious to most advanced common “VPN not connecting” issues:
Restart your software
The classic “turn it off and back on” advice exists for a reason—it often works. Sometimes, when you launch an application, it may not load properly due to minor disruptions. To fix this, quit the VPN software entirely, wait at least 30 seconds, then reopen it. While it’s reloading, avoid using your device until the app fully launches to prevent any interference. Once it’s back up, try reconnecting to your VPN as usual.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can also restart your device to give it a fresh opportunity to read the program. If you are the person who never shuts your device down completely, you may be overworking your device and caching out different apps. This causes your device to run much slower. When you restart, these caches are automatically dumped, freeing up some memory to run apps more smoothly.
Also read: Cache vs Cookies: What’s the Difference?
Check your internet/cable connections
Sometimes it’s as simple as that. If your internet connection is unstable, it will be impossible for your VPN to hold steady. First, disconnect and reconnect your device from your local Wi-Fi network. It’s possible your device had a bad connection pathway to your router, and reconnecting can restore communication. If that doesn’t work, locate your router and ensure all the cables are connected and undamaged. Loose or damaged cables do not make for reliable connections and can cause you to lose your network.
While you’re down there, locate the router’s power cable and disconnect it from the outlet. Then, reconnect it again. This will hard reset your router in the event that it needs to reboot. If none of these methods work and the issue persists, it’s time to contact your ISP, as damaged parts are a likely culprit. You can check to see if your internet connection is to blame by running a Wi-Fi speed check while your VPN is not connected.
It’s worth mentioning that IPVanish offers a Kill Switch feature that you can toggle on and off to your taste. This means that if an unstable internet connection is causing your VPN to falter, your internet connection will be severed as soon as your VPN goes offline. It prevents any data from leaking onto the internet unprotected and ensures you are always one step ahead when connection failures inevitably occur.
Check server status
It’s possible the issue lies with the specific VPN server you’re trying to connect to. This is especially true if you are attempting to connect to a particular server instead of using Auto-Connect or Optimal Location features like the ones offered with IPVanish. VPN servers are occasionally down for maintenance or are simply overworked while experiencing high traffic. Like any technical service, infrastructure is constantly changing and being improved to withstand higher traffic and meet industry standards.
To test this, try using Optimal Location. With IPVanish, our app can automatically pair you with the best server available based on factors like your ping, speed, server loads, and location. If this helps, you know there was an issue with the original server. However, we understand that, at times, users want to connect to a specific location. We often have multiple servers scattered across different places like the UK, Australia, Canada, and many more. This means if the VPN not connecting to one server, there are others available as a backup.
Check your credentials
Are you logged in correctly? Open your VPN application and ensure everything is entered correctly. If you are not logged in, it will be obvious as you will not be able to access your dashboard or see any information about servers when you open the app window. At that point, re-enter your credentials to regain access. If you don’t remember your password, use your provider’s built-in service to reset it (and save it somewhere safely this time).
It’s also possible your account has expired, in which case you will be logged in with the VPN not connecting because your subscription is inactive. With IPVanish, you can check this by clicking “Account” on the sidebar of the program and looking at the information next to “Renewal Date.” From here, you can select Manage Account, which will take you to our website and help you renew your subscription.
Check your VPN protocol
Different VPN protocols work best for different uses. Some are more reliable but slow, and vice versa. But thankfully, there are protocols out there that are versatile and will give you the best of both worlds. This did not exist before as the technology was yet to be available. If you aren’t using it already, WireGuard is one of the fastest and safest protocols on the market today, and it can alleviate any issues you have with choosing a protocol in the first place.
If your current VPN protocol isn’t working, try switching to a different one. OpenVPN is a highly reliable option for everyday internet activities like browsing or shopping online. You can also explore the other protocols offered by IPVanish to find the best fit for your needs. Fortunately, we provide several excellent choices, all designed for top-notch security and performance. Rest assured, we only offer products that meet the highest standards of protection.
Check your firewall
Firewalls are designed to protect us, but they sometimes work too hard and ultimately go against us. Because VPN traffic comes from a shared server in other countries, your firewall may block all VPN traffic regardless of its content. Go to your device’s network security settings and ensure your firewall is not to blame for your VPN not connecting. If possible, manually add an exception for your VPN in your firewall settings to avoid the problem happening again. If not, try turning off your firewall altogether and connecting to your VPN to see if that helps the issue.
While we don’t recommend disabling your firewall, VPNs—especially those with features like IPVanish’s Threat Protection—can filter out harmful traffic and keep you secure. Threat Protection acts as a safety net, guarding your connection against malicious traffic. However, your firewall may also be doing some heavy lifting, and you don’t want to forgo it indefinitely. Be sure to follow device-specific instructions to allow VPN traffic through your firewall without compromising protection.
Update/Reinstall your VPN software
The final thing we recommend before calling customer service or switching your provider is to uninstall the app and redownload the latest version. Over time, when used frequently, apps may break. Especially if you have done a DIY closet cleanout of your files recently, it’s possible that you accidentally deleted key documents required to run your VPN properly. Uninstall the app from your device entirely, and any caches, history, or configurations still left on your device.
Then, navigate to your VPN provider’s website and reinstall the VPN from scratch. This ensures that you download the most updated version, which will usually have the fewest bugs and work best with your system. It will also take you through the installation process again, reinstalling any profiles or configurations necessary to operate your VPN. Getting a fresh start and redownloading your VPN client may help you alleviate any issues you are experiencing, even if you think everything is running up-to-date.
My VPN is too slow
Now, sometimes your VPN connects but at an unacceptable speed. Many of the things we listed above can help you reduce your system lag and improve your overall connection. Some other things you may want to try are to close unnecessary apps or tabs that may be causing the device itself to run slowly. It’s also possible that if you are running an old system and the software is no longer perfectly compatible with your device, causing issues. If possible, try downloading a legacy version of your chosen VPN directly from the website. Do not try to download VPN apps from re-list websites.
Ultimately, there comes a point where switching VPN providers may be the only viable option, especially if you are using a small, relatively unknown, or free VPN, as they historically do not have the infrastructure to handle their network and have limited options, leaving you out of luck when you need to connect quickly. With IPVanish, you have 2400+ servers in 90+ global locations to choose from and access to additional security perks like the ones mentioned above. We’re also one of the fastest VPN providers on the market, meaning annoying slowdowns aren’t exactly our specialty.
FAQ
Why is my VPN not connecting?
Your VPN not connecting could be due to one of many reasons, ranging from software to Wi-Fi and hardware issues. It’s essential to investigate each item we list above, such as your internet connection, firewall, protocol choices, etc. This will keep you from waiting like to speak to customer service just for them to state the obvious,
Why is my VPN not connecting to the server I want?
Sometimes, specific servers are overloaded, down for maintenance, or experiencing other miscellaneous technical difficulties. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to go with a bigger VPN brand with the infrastructure to back it up. This gives you options to choose from different servers in the same areas instead of relying on just one.
I tried everything and I still can’t connect. What do I do?
If you have tried everything and the VPN not connecting remains an issue, then it’s time to contact customer service. At IPVanish, we offer 24/7 customer support that is available any time you need. However, you may also consider switching VPN providers. Some providers, like free ones, simply aren’t as capable of handling traffic or updating issues. This prolongs discomfort and keeps you unable to utilize the service. Other VPNs, like the one offered by IPVanish may be faster and more efficient, which is worth exploring.