VPN not connecting? Here are 13 things you can try
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Connecting to your VPN is generally so easy that you hardly even notice it at all, so the first time you notice your VPN not connecting, it can be a real surprise.
Sometimes you will see a very clear error message: “Cannot connect”. Other alerts are more straightforward, such as “Error: 80AE470”. And some apps stop trying to connect, but don’t tell you why (Thanks, developers.)
While your VPN client may be unhelpful, that’s not the end of the story, and this step-by-step guide covers everything you need to figure out the problem and get your VPN connected again.
(Image credit: NetGear)
1. Check your internet connection
The first step in diagnosing why a VPN is not connected is to make sure that your internet connection is working properly. It sounds obvious, but it’s a good idea to rule out underlying issues before you start playing around with a VPN or device settings. So, restart your device, maybe your router, then open a browser, visit a couple of sites, collect emails if you have a separate email app, stream Netflix, and just spend a few minutes making sure everything looks normal.
2. Try a different site
VPNs often have thousands of servers, so there is a chance that your app’s preferred option is down at the moment. And even if the server is up and running, it may be so overwhelmed by other users that it has blocked more connections. Browse your VPN sites list and try to connect from somewhere else.
3. Use another protocol
Your VPN protocol determines how it communicates with servers, and some protocols are more reliable than others. Open the application settings box and search for the settings related to the protocol. If your app has some (but not all), you might see options like OpenVPN (maybe with UDP or TCP flavors), WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP, and more. Ideally, we’d recommend trying to connect using at least OpenVPN, then IKEv2 or WireGuard, but if you don’t have those options, just choose two from your apps list.
(Image credit: IPVanish)
4. Check your VPN status page
VPN connection issues can be due to a larger issue with your service provider’s network, rather than any issue with your setup. Check your provider’s status page, if it has one (check social media if it doesn’t) for any updates. IPVanish is a great example, and its status.ipvanish.com page is filled with performance charts showing online servers and details of any current outages.
5. Switch to another device
Try connecting to your VPN from a different device, if available. If you can’t connect from that, it indicates a network problem between you and the VPN, or maybe a VPN outage. But if the second device works as usual, then it appears that the problem is somewhere on your original devices.
(Image credit: ExpressVPN)
6. Update your VPN software
If your VPN won’t connect, it may indicate a bug with your app, or its setting may be corrupt. Check this by removing or uninstalling your VPN, then downloading and reinstalling the latest version.
Don’t take any shortcuts, especially on Windows – for example, trying to install the new app on the current version. Do a proper clean reinstall where you uninstall the app, restart and then install the new app.
7. Connect from a different network or access point
If you’re not connecting from your regular network – maybe you’re using a public hotspot you’ve never used before – it’s likely that it’s set up differently, or you may be trying to block VPNs altogether. Find another hotspot or network, if you can, and try connecting from there instead.
8. Bypass VPN Blocks
Some networks are very good at blocking VPNs, and some countries completely block them (explaining the demand for Chinese VPNs, Russia VPNs, UAE VPNs and more), and this can make it very difficult to get online. But while we don’t recommend that you break any local laws, if you really need to be online, there are a few options you can try.
Open your VPN settings box and look for anything that helps you bypass VPN blocks. NordVPN has an obfuscated servers feature, for example, which helps mask your traffic. Surfshark has a NoBorders mode that does the same thing. IPVanish’s “Scramble OpenVPN traffic” might help, VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol is designed to bypass VPN blocking systems, and many VPNs have an Obfsproxy option (another way to try to evade authorities) that might get you connected.
(Image credit: NordVPN)
9. Verify your credentials and account
Log in to your VPN provider’s website and check your account page for updates.
Has your password changed, perhaps? Some free or limited VPNs may change passwords occasionally, without notification each time.
Make sure your account is still valid and working. If you forget to renew your subscription, it is possible that the provider has stopped your service. VPN accounts are a prime target for hackers as well, and if someone hacked your account, the provider would likely have found out about it and closed or banned your account.
10. Check VPN Application Logs
VPNsa often does a very poor job of reporting connection issues, and even if they seem to give you a clear explanation as to why you can’t connect, there is no guarantee that this bears anything to do with the facts.
Sometimes, the real cause of your problems is hidden in the application logs. Browse its settings box, and look for sections like connection history, or troubleshooting. You won’t understand 90% of the content – no offense intended, we don’t either – but scroll through the most recent entries anyway for clues. If you see an authentication error, for example, it indicates a problem with your password or account, which tells you very clearly where to look next.
11. Manual VPN connection
Apps are the easiest way to access a VPN, but they are not your only option. Many services allow you to manually establish a VPN connection to a specific server using your device’s standard tools (see examples on ExpressVPN and IPVanish.)
If this sounds like a hassle, you’re right, but it’s not a permanent solution. We’re just trying to connect you now, and even if it doesn’t work, that’s one more thing you can tell support that you’ve tried later.
(Image credit: OpenVPN)
12. Try another app
This is probably the most shared step on our list, but if you like it, switching to another app may help.
OpenVPN Connect is a multi-purpose VPN app that works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and can be set up to work with most VPNs.
Check your VPN support site for instructions or tips on other apps to try (see ExpressVPN’s OpenVPN Android Help for an example.)
If all else fails, contact your VPN support, explain what’s going on and ask for their advice. Be sure to tell them the steps you’ve tried as well. The sooner the support engineer sees that you’ve been left out, the faster he or she can zoom in on the true cause of the problem, and the sooner you’ll get to work again.
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