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VPN not connecting? How to Fix This + Other Common VPN Problems

VPN not connecting? How to Fix This + Other Common VPN Problems

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VPNs make it incredibly easy to stay secure on the internet, and their ability to bypass regional restrictions means you can access your favorite services from anywhere in the world.

Although they are easy to set up, VPNs often do a poor job of letting the user know when and why there is a problem. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common VPN issues and teach you how to fix them, in plain English, in as few terms as possible.

Problem 1: I can’t connect or stay connected to a VPN

If you can’t connect to a VPN at all, the first thing you need to do is check for an internet connection; This seems obvious but is often overlooked. If the connection is fine, the next step is to try using a different VPN server.

Sometimes the servers go down for maintenance and the VPN app is not updated in time, giving you the option to connect to a server that is already inaccessible. If you can connect to one of the other VPN servers, this is likely what happened.

On the other hand, if you cannot use any servers or if your connection drops frequently, then the problem is most likely related to your network settings. Here’s what to do in this case:

First, check the VPN settings page. If it contains a file Restore default settings button, click it. If not, change your communication protocol to automatic (If this option is not available, select either TCP or UDP).

Now, we will add your VPN to the list of exceptions to ensure that it is not blocked by your firewall. The process is different for each operating system; Here are the steps for Windows and macOS:

windows

Click the Windows icon at the bottom left of the screen and type “Windows Defender Firewall” (without the quotes). Now, select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall in the list on the left. On the next screen, tap change settings and then Allow another app. Finally, locate your VPN app and tap Add.

Mac

Start by clicking on the Apple icon in the top left. Choose System Preferences, and then Secretariat & amp; Privacy. From here, go to Firewall tab and click Firewall Options button. You will see a list of programs, and at the bottom you will find a button with a plus sign (+) on it. Click this, locate your VPN app, and click Add.

Problem 2: My VPN is very slow

This is one of the most common VPN problems. Start by running a speed test while not connected to a VPN. You can generally expect a VPN Reduce network speeds by about a third, so you’ll need a reasonably fast connection to start with. Below, we’ve listed the recommended Netflix speeds and the corresponding base speed you’ll need to use similar streaming services with a VPN.

Content type Recommended speed Base speed required
SD video 3 Mbps 5 Mbps
HD video 5 Mbps 9 Mbps
4K video 25 Mbps 30 Mbps

Internet speeds not high enough? There are a few options here: You can upgrade your broadband package, use a wired connection instead of wireless, or ask others in your home to stop streaming and torrenting for a while.

Now, connect to the VPN and run another speed test. Note that your download speed can change based on several factors including how far the server is from your location, the number of other users connected, the encryption protocol used, and even the time of day. This means that if you notice a significant drop in speed, it is often best to try another server.

see also: Fastest VPN

Problem 3: My VPN is not working with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.

First, it is important to note that Not every VPN can unblock every service. In fact, when it comes to major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, only a few VPNs still work reliably. We recommend ExpressVPN, although NordVPN and CyberGhost are excellent low-cost alternatives.

If your VPN should be able to unblock a service, but you’re having problems, there are a few things you can try.

  • first, Make sure you are using the latest version from the app.
  • Next, clear your browser’s cache and cookies to ensure that the service forgets your physical location.
  • Try connecting to a different server, as sometimes there are specific servers to unblock a particular platform.
  • If you wish, you can contact your VPN customer support team directly (the three above offer 24/7 live chat) and ask which servers to use.

Are you still having problems? Your chosen service may have recently improved its region locking features, in which case there is no alternative but to wait until your VPN provider finds a solution.

Problem 4: I can’t connect to my VPN when I’m in China

Unfortunately, VPN issues are to be expected in China. The country’s internet restrictions (collectively known as the Great Firewall) are some of the strictest in the world. All kinds of services including streaming services, news sites and, perhaps not surprisingly, VPNs are all blocked.

Although there are a few VPNs still operating in China, their websites are blocked. As a result, you will have to install and configure the service before arriving in China. To be safe, we recommend that you take note of the manual installation instructions. Some VPNs have specific settings that must be changed before they can work in countries with strict internet censorship.

It’s also good to know if your VPN is running any mirrored sites that may still be accessible in China. Remember to save this information locally, because cloud storage platforms are also inaccessible in China.

Problem 5: My server appears to be in the wrong location

Your VPN provider usually rents or buys servers in a country, and then allows you to access them. However, if local laws make it difficult to operate a VPN company, the area is too dangerous, or the maintenance costs of a physical server are too high to be justified, Some providers use a virtual server instead of.

These servers are actually located in a different country but are configured to make your traffic look as if it’s coming from your chosen location. Normally, geo-restricted services cannot tell the difference, although some IP address lookup services can, hence the apparent discrepancy.

Many VPN service providers let you know which of their servers are virtual, either in the server list or in the knowledge base article, so you can avoid them if you wish.

Problem 6: I changed the advanced settings of my VPN and it is not working now

This is actually fairly simple to fix. First, go to your VPN settings page again. If you use a service like CyberGhost, there will be a button that will allow you to automatically restore everything to its default state

However, even when this feature is not available, you can back up and play within a few minutes by following these steps:

  • Start by changing the VPN protocol to UDP or TCP (this option might be called “OpenVPN”).
  • If you see any advanced options, such as a kill switch, custom DNS feature, or traffic obfuscation, turn them off. Now, connect to the VPN.
  • If it works, remember to reactivate the lock switch and leakage protection features (Unless this is the cause of the problem, which is highly unlikely).

Are you still having a problem? You can contact customer support for assistance but it may be faster to just reinstall the VPN app.

Problem 7: My problem is not listed here

If your VPN issues are more complex than those listed above, Your best bet is to contact your VPN customer support team directly. They will be able to help you install a VPN on just about anything (including wireless routers). Plus, they help people with technical issues every day, which means they know how to troubleshoot VPN problems quickly and easily.

Are we missing a common VPN problem? Leave a comment and let us know.

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