How to fix no internet connection after connecting to a VPN
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Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are useful for protecting your privacy and browsing online without revealing your identity. Today, VPNs have become a need for many.
Primarily, they work by routing your Internet connection through a server from a location of your choice. This has the effect of masking your online presence by allocating you a temporary IP address. VPNs can allow users to access content that is normally only accessible from specific geographic locations.
VPNs are great in this era where private information can be easily hacked. However, as with all things, sometimes things may not work as you would like and you may have trouble connecting to the internet after using the VPN provider of your choice. Let’s explore some options to solve that.
General Tips
Logically, you should check if your inability to connect to the internet is really due to your VPN provider/program or if the problem lies elsewhere.
Disconnect your VPN connection and check if you can access the internet. If you can, the problem probably lies with your VPN. If you can’t connect, you’ll likely encounter other issues that this article doesn’t target.
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It’s a good idea to double check if you can have problems connecting to the Internet outside of your VPN from another device as well if you have this feature. If you are able to do this, make sure to connect through the same router you used with the first device.
If you performed the scan suggested above and you are absolutely certain that it is your VPN that is causing the problems, consider these fixes.
change servers
VPN providers provide users with a wide range of servers to choose from. There is always the possibility that the server may encounter technical difficulties that prevent you from connecting to the Internet.
It is always a good idea to try connecting to another server to see if that solves your connection problem.
Check out Kill Switch
Many VPN providers come with what is referred to as a kill switch. Essentially, a kill switch cuts off your internet connection if you become disconnected from the VPN server. This is useful if you do not want to expose your real IP address while browsing the Internet.
However, if your VPN happens on purpose, to access the Internet, you will have to disable the kill switch until you are ready to reconnect to your VPN. Usually, closing the VPN software also works in this case.
Check your DNS settings
DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for converting domain names (such as guidingtech.com) into IP addresses that can be understood by a computer.
Wrong DNS settings can cause problems connecting to the Internet after connecting to a VPN server. Therefore, you may need to change your DNS settings manually.
Google has a helpful guide on how to change your DNS settings on Mac OS, Windows, Linux, mobile devices, and routers. Your VPN provider will most likely have recommended the DNS settings posted on their website. The instructions from Google can serve as a guide for entering these settings.
Change VPN Protocol
Without going into too much detail, VPNs use different methods to connect to the servers. These methods are referred to as protocols. Some examples are UDP (User Datagram Protocol), TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), and L2TP (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol). UDP is commonly used but is sometimes blocked depending on the network you are connected to. For example, many free WiFi hotspots block UDP and only work with TCP. You can go into the settings of your VPN software and change to the most appropriate protocol for the situation.
change port
VPN ports facilitate the flow of traffic to and from the VPN server. As with VPN protocols, some ports are blocked, and you will have to choose one that works depending on your setup. Again, your VPN provider may suggest a port that works best for you.
Check proxy server settings
A proxy server is an intermediary server that acts as a gateway between your computer’s local network and another server on a wide network such as the Internet. You should set your browser to detect proxies automatically or not to use proxies at all to avoid internet connection problems.
last thoughts
VPNs can enhance the security of your browsing experience and also allow you to access region-restricted websites. If you encounter any problem with your VPN service, it can lead to frustration. We hope the above tips help you. Don’t forget to check your internet connection without a VPN first, followed by trying a different VPN server. These are easy to try, and in many cases your problem is related to them.
You should also be wary of free VPN service providers. Their servers are quickly overloaded and they are not the most careful with your private data. In general, due to the high usage of servers, you may find that your internet connection is spotty when using a free VPN provider.
Next:
Should you use a free VPN? Click the link below to see if these free VPNs are safe to use.
Last update on May 13, 2020
The above article may contain affiliate links that help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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