VPN Not Working? 17 Fixes That Solve 90% of Problems

Quick summary

Most VPN problems come down to one of four things: your network blocking VPN traffic, a bad server/route, a protocol mismatch, or a local device/app setting (DNS, kill switch, firewall). Start with the top 5 fixes below — they solve the majority of “VPN won’t connect” and “VPN is slow” cases in under 10 minutes.

What you need before you start

• Your VPN app installed and you can log in.
• 2 minutes to test a second network (mobile hotspot is ideal).
• If possible: know whether you’re on work/school/hotel Wi-Fi (often blocks VPNs).

Tip: Don’t troubleshoot on assumptions. A single hotspot test tells you whether the issue is your VPN account/app or your network.

The 17 fixes (in the best order)

Fix #1 — Switch to a different server (same region first)

• Pick another server in the same country.
• If that fails, choose a nearby country (shorter routes usually behave better).
• If you’re on a specialty server (P2P/streaming), try a normal one first.

Fix #2 — Change protocol (this solves a lot of “won’t connect”)

• Try switching: WireGuard ⇄ OpenVPN ⇄ IKEv2.
• If you see “network blocks VPN,” OpenVPN (TCP) may connect where UDP fails.
• If you’re on mobile, IKEv2 can be stable on network switching (varies by provider).

Fix #3 — Fully restart the VPN app (not just disconnect)

• Quit the app completely (force close on mobile).
• Wait 10 seconds, reopen, then reconnect.
• If your app has “repair” / “reset” options, use them after a restart.

Fix #4 — Reboot your device (clears stale network state)

• Restart your phone/laptop/desktop.
• Try the VPN again before changing more settings.

Fix #5 — Try another network (hotspot test)

• Connect to your phone’s hotspot (or another Wi-Fi) and try the VPN.
• If it works on hotspot: your main network is blocking/unstable.
• If it fails everywhere: it’s likely app/account/device configuration.

Fix #6 — Turn off other VPNs, proxies, or security apps temporarily

• Disable other VPN clients, “secure browsing,” proxies, or corporate tunnels.
• Some antivirus/firewall suites interfere with VPN adapters.
• After the VPN works, re-enable one by one to find the conflict.

Fix #7 — DNS reset (common cause of “connected but no internet”)

• Set DNS to automatic temporarily.
• Flush DNS cache (platform quick steps below).
• Reconnect VPN and load 2–3 sites.

Fix #8 — Kill switch sanity check (prevents leaks, but can “break internet”)

• Temporarily turn Kill Switch OFF.
• Reconnect the VPN.
• If it works, turn kill switch ON again after it’s stable.

Kill switches can be strict — great for safety, but they can also block traffic when the VPN drops or during reconnect loops.

Fix #9 — Check date/time (yes, really)

• Ensure your device time is correct (automatic time zone).
• Incorrect time can break TLS certificates and authentication.

Fix #10 — Update the VPN app (or reinstall clean)

• Update the app to the latest version.
• If issues persist: uninstall → reboot → reinstall.
• Log back in and try a default server first.

Fix #11 — Change networks within the same connection (Wi-Fi band swap)

• Switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi if available.
• Some routers behave poorly with VPN tunnels on one band.

Fix #12 — Restart your router/modem (quick stability win)

• Power cycle your router/modem (30 seconds off).
• Reconnect and try again.
• If you’re on hotel Wi-Fi, skip this and jump to Fix #15.

Fix #13 — Firewall / network adapter check (Windows/macOS)

• Temporarily allow the VPN app through firewall.
• On Windows, check that the VPN network adapter isn’t disabled.
• If you use a strict security suite, try “learning mode” briefly.

Fix #14 — Streaming blocked? Use a different region + clean cookies

• Try another server in the same country (then a nearby country).
• Open an incognito/private window and retry.
• Clear site cookies/cache for the streaming service.

Streaming access changes over time and varies by region/platform — no VPN can guarantee permanent access.

Fix #15 — Work/school/hotel Wi-Fi blocks VPNs (use obfuscation or fallback)

• If your VPN offers obfuscation/stealth, enable it and retry.
• Try OpenVPN (TCP) if UDP is blocked.
• If captive portal is present, open a browser and complete login first.

Fix #16 — Slow VPN? Reduce distance and remove bottlenecks

• Choose a server closer to you (same country, nearest major city).
• Turn off extra features temporarily (double VPN, multi-hop, heavy filtering).
• Test speed on VPN ON vs OFF on the same network.

Fix #17 — Still broken? It may be your account, device, or provider-side issue

• Check if your subscription is active and login works.
• Try the VPN on a second device (fast isolation step).
• If only one server family fails, the provider may be having an outage in that region.

Common mistakes (and why they waste time)

• Changing 10 settings at once: you can’t tell what fixed it. Change one thing, test, then continue.
• Assuming it’s the VPN: many failures are your Wi-Fi/router or a restrictive network.
• Ignoring kill switch/DNS: these cause the classic “connected but nothing loads” symptom.
• Testing speed on one random server: use 2–3 nearby servers before concluding “this VPN is slow.”
• Using old guidance: protocols and network blocks evolve; the “right” fix changes by environment.

Reality check: VPN problems are often “network policy” problems

In 2026, many VPN failures aren’t bugs — they’re friction created by networks that block or throttle VPN traffic (workplaces, schools, hotels, some ISPs) or by services that detect VPN usage (especially streaming platforms). A VPN can reduce exposure and improve privacy hygiene, but it can’t override every network policy reliably.

• A VPN does: encrypt traffic and change your apparent IP location.
• A VPN does not: guarantee access to every service from every network.
• If you need high reliability: choose providers with strong apps, stable protocols, and good troubleshooting posture.

What to do next (recommended paths)

• If you suspect leaks: use our VPN leak test tool.
• If you’re deciding whether to switch providers: start with Best VPNs (2026).
• If you’re cross-shopping: use VPN comparisons (head-to-head).
• If you want a clean “what a VPN does” refresher: see What a VPN really does (and doesn’t).

FAQ

• Why does my VPN say “connected” but nothing loads? DNS issues or a strict kill switch are the most common causes. Try Fix #7 and #8.
• Why is my VPN so slow? Distance, route congestion, and protocol choice. Try a closer server and switch protocol (Fix #1, #2, #16).
• Why does my VPN work on mobile but not Wi-Fi? Your Wi-Fi network may block or interfere with VPN traffic (Fix #5, #15).
• Will changing protocol help? Often, yes — it’s one of the highest-success fixes for connectivity problems.
• Does a VPN guarantee streaming access? No. Access changes over time and varies by region and platform.

Bottom line

Most VPN issues are fixable quickly: switch servers, change protocol, sanity-check DNS and kill switch, and test another network. If you repeatedly hit blocks across multiple networks and devices, it may be time to re-evaluate your provider or your scenario needs.