How do I get my VPN to work?

May 26, 2023

I recently had some issues with my VPN and spent a lot of time troubleshooting and researching solutions. I wanted to share my experience and the key points I learned along the way. So, here are the main thoughts and questions that came up during my VPN troubleshooting journey:

Summary

Contents

1 Summary
2 Main Thought (Not a Question)
3 Main Thought (Not a Question)
4 Key Points
5 1. VPN Connection Issues
6 2. Stop VPN from Blocking Internet
7 3. Wi-Fi Blocking VPN
8 4. Checking if VPN is Working
9 Questions and Answers
10 Conclusion

Through my own personal experience, I discovered some common issues and solutions related to VPNs not working properly. Here are the key points:

Main Thought (Not a Question)

During my VPN troubleshooting, I found that sometimes the VPN app can interfere with other apps or settings on your device. If you experience an unstable VPN connection on Android, you can try changing your VPN protocol, turning off battery-saving mode, switching to another server, or simply restarting your device.

Main Thought (Not a Question)

Another potential issue that I came across is when your VPN is blocking your internet access. In some cases, poor connectivity at the VPN server location or interference from your antivirus or security application can cause this problem. Additionally, some organizations or ISPs may block certain VPN protocols. To overcome this, you can try switching servers or using a different VPN provider.

Key Points

Here are some other key points I discovered during my troubleshooting:

1. VPN Connection Issues

If you’re having trouble connecting to your VPN, you can try connecting from the Windows Settings page. Simply go to Start, then Settings, followed by Network & internet, and finally VPN. From there, select the VPN connection you want to use and click Connect. If prompted, enter your username and password or other sign-in information.

2. Stop VPN from Blocking Internet

There may be times when you need to disable your VPN to access local sites or devices, such as streaming platforms or printers. In such cases, you can simply turn off your VPN to stop it from blocking your internet.

3. Wi-Fi Blocking VPN

While most public Wi-Fi hotspots won’t block VPNs, some internet service providers can use firewall settings to restrict VPN access. If you encounter this issue, you can try using a less popular VPN service or switching to a different Wi-Fi network.

4. Checking if VPN is Working

To check if your VPN is working, you can turn it off and visit a website like WhatIsMyIPAddress.com. Note down your public IP address. Then, turn on your VPN and connect to a server in your desired location. Check your IP address again using the same method as before. If your IP address has changed and matches the location of the VPN server, then your VPN is working correctly.

Questions and Answers

During my troubleshooting process, I came across several questions related to VPN issues. Here are the answers to those questions:

1. Why is my VPN not working on Android?

If your VPN is not working on Android, it could be due to the VPN app interfering with other apps or settings on your device. Try changing your VPN protocol, turning off battery-saving mode, switching to another server, or restarting your device.

2. How do I stop my VPN from blocking internet access?

If your VPN is blocking your internet access, it could be due to poor connectivity at the chosen server location, interference from your antivirus or security application, or certain VPN protocols being blocked by your ISP. To troubleshoot, you can try switching servers or using a different VPN provider.

3. Can Wi-Fi block a VPN?

While most public Wi-Fi hotspots won’t block VPNs, some internet service providers can use firewall settings to restrict VPN access. They can identify the IP address associated with a VPN provider and block it using a firewall.

Conclusion

When it comes to VPN troubleshooting, it can be frustrating to encounter issues with your connection. However, by following the key points and solutions mentioned above, you can overcome many common VPN problems. Remember, each situation may be unique, so it’s essential to experiment with different solutions until you find the one that works for you.
How do I get my VPN to work?

Why is VPN not working

VPN not working on Android

Your VPN app might be interfering with other apps or settings on your device. You can fix an unstable VPN connection on Android by changing your VPN protocol, turning off battery-saving mode, switching to another server, or simply restarting your device.

How do I get my VPN to connect

Connect to a VPN from the Windows Settings page:Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > VPN.Next to the VPN connection you want to use, select Connect.If prompted, enter your username and password or other sign in info.
Cached

How do I stop VPN from blocking my Internet

You can often bypass a VPN block by switching servers or going to a different VPN provider. The organization blocking your access may have focused on only the more popular VPNs when choosing what to block, so you may be able to gain access using a less popular service.

When to use a VPN and when it won t

VPNs ensure data protection from hackers and secure browsing. In result, this prevents advertisers or ISPs from accessing your browsing data. At the same time, there may be times when you need to turn your VPN off. That is when you need to access local sites or devices, such as streaming platforms or a printer.

Why is VPN blocking my internet

The likely causes for these issues include: Poor connectivity at the chosen VPN server location. Interference by internet service providers for certain VPN protocols. Interference from your antivirus or online security application's outgoing packet transmission.

Can WIFI block VPN

Can Wi-Fi block a VPN While most public Wi-Fi hotspots won't be sophisticated enough to block VPNs, some internet service providers can use an IP lookup tool to find the IP address associated with a VPN provider, then use a firewall to block that IP address.

Why is my VPN blocking my Internet

How do I enable VPN on my iPhone

Use the VPN on your iPhoneGo to the “Settings” app on your phone.Go to “General.”Choose “VPN.”Tap the status switch on your VPN to turn it on.

Why is VPN blocked on Wi-Fi

Some Wi-Fi networks do not allow VPN connections and restrict VPN access using network or firewall settings. If this error appears when you connect to Secure VPN for the first time, it could be due to the network or firewall settings.

Can my internet provider stop me using a VPN

Your ISP will see you're connected to a specific IP and that your traffic is encrypted, and may infer that you're using a VPN. But if you're located somewhere where VPNs are legal, then your ISP can't do anything to stop you browsing.

How do you know if your VPN is working

How to check if a VPN is workingTurn off your VPN.Visit WhatIsMyIPAddress.com. You'll see your public IP address — the one that's assigned to you by your internet service provider (ISP).Turn on your VPN and connect to a server in your chosen location.Check your IP address again using the same method as before.

Does VPN work on home Wi-Fi

You can use a VPN for home network security by configuring one on your router. Once you've set up a router VPN, every single device connected to your router will have its traffic sent through the encrypted tunnel.

How do I know if my VPN is blocking my Wi-Fi

Many VPN providers will show a green light or similar icon when a VPN connection is active, and red when there is a problem with the connection. Some VPNs deliberately block internet traffic if they can't connect or there are issues with your internet connection.

Why is my VPN blocking my internet

Does iPhone have a built in VPN

Do iPhones come with VPNs pre-installed No, iPhones don't come with pre-installed VPNs. iPhones only have a built-in VPN client allowing you to connect to a VPN server if you know its details. Otherwise, you need to use a separate VPN app to stay secure over the internet.

Why won’t my VPN work on my iPhone

A simple way to get your VPN app back to normal is to reset the network settings on your device. Keep in mind that you need to sign in to your VPN and Wi-Fi networks again after doing this. To Reset Network Settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode when prompted.

Can my internet provider block VPN

Yes, an ISP can block a VPN by blocking IP addresses associated with a certain VPN provider or disabling communication ports. If you're unable to connect to the internet when using a VPN, your ISP might be restricting the access. You can solve this problem by switching to a different server, port, or protocol.

How do I know if my ISP is blocking my VPN

How do websites know you are using a VPN

Websites and other online services you visit can see the IP address of the VPN server you're connected to. If they want to, they can check that IP address against lists of known VPN and proxy servers to see if you're using a VPN.

Can my internet provider see my VPN

Yes, your ISP can see your VPN's IP address. However, they can't see anything else. Everything you do online, including browsing habits, downloads, and viewed content, stays hidden when you use a good VPN.

Where is my VPN located

Using online services such as IP address locator websites is one of the ways to learn more about your VPN server. When connected to a VPN, these sites can provide data associated with your IP address, including the city and country your VPN server is in and even your ISP.

Why is my VPN not working on Wi-Fi

There can be multiple reasons why you can't connect to a VPN while using a wifi connection: network restrictions (some wifi networks, especially public ones, can have restrictions that prevent VPN usage), firewall settings (if the wifi network has a firewall enabled, it can be blocking a VPN), and more.

How does VPN work with home router

A VPN router allows you to connect several devices at the same time, protecting them all with a secure, encrypted connection. You can link to it through either a Wi-Fi connection or Ethernet, depending on the device and how you want to use it.

Why is my VPN not connecting to my Wi-Fi

Check your VPN protocol and ports

VPNs require specific ports to be open for the connection to work properly. The most common connection ports VPN services use are port 500 for UDP and port 443 for TCP. If these ports are blocked by your ISP or closed on your network, you may experience connectivity issues.

Why is my VPN not working when connected to Wi-Fi