How to check if your VPN is working

How to check if your VPN is working in 5 steps

You can quickly check if your VPN is working by looking at a few signs that your connection is routing traffic as expected:

1. 1. Check your VPN status. Open your VPN app and make sure it shows an active connection.
2. 2. Check your public IP address. Your visible IP should be different from the one you normally use without a VPN.
3. 3. Check your virtual location. It should correspond to the VPN server you connected to rather than your regular connection.
4. 4. Check for DNS leaks. Your ISP’s DNS servers shouldn’t appear when you run a DNS leak test.
5. 5. Check for WebRTC leaks. A WebRTC leak test shouldn’t reveal your real public IP address.

For example, if you’re connected to NordVPN, your visible IP address and virtual location should match the server you connected to. If they do and the leak tests don’t expose your real IP or unexpected DNS requests, your VPN is working as expected.

The 5 tests that confirm your VPN is working

An IP address check is the quickest test, but it doesn’t catch every possible VPN leak. DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 tests can reveal problems that a simple IP check may miss, while your VPN app can confirm whether it has established a connection.

The table below shows what each test checks and what results to expect. We’ll cover each one in more detail later on.

Test 1: Check for IP address leaks

Your public IP address can reveal information such as your approximate location and internet service provider. A VPN replaces it with the VPN server’s IP address, so seeing your real IP while connected may indicate an IP leak.

How to check if your IP address has leaked

To check whether your public IP address has changed to that of the VPN server:

1. 1. Check your public IP address with an IP address checker, like NordVPN’s “What is my IP address?” tool.
2. 2. Connect to your chosen VPN server.
3. 3. Check your public IP address again. 

If the IP address checking tool still shows your original IP address, your VPN may have an IP leak.

How to fix an IP address leak

IP leaks can result from your VPN configuration, split tunneling, browser or network settings, or other apps, such as proxies or security software, that affect how your traffic is routed. If you detect a leak:

• Disconnect and reconnect to your VPN or switch to another VPN server.
• Check your VPN settings, including split tunneling and the VPN protocol.
• Check whether other VPNs, proxies, or network tools are interfering with your connection.
• Make sure your VPN offers IP and DNS leak protection and a VPN kill switch, which can cut your internet connection if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops.

Also, be wary of completely free VPN services. They may lack important security features or use weaker privacy practices. When choosing a VPN, review the provider’s security features, privacy practices, and reputation to make sure the service meets your needs.

Test 2: Check for DNS leaks

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses, and your ISP typically handles these requests when you connect without a VPN. A DNS leak occurs when DNS requests bypass the VPN and go to your ISP or another unexpected DNS server, potentially revealing the domains your device requests. When your VPN is working as expected, DNS requests travel through the VPN tunnel to the VPN provider’s DNS servers instead of going directly to your ISP, keeping your DNS traffic encrypted and helping protect your browsing privacy.

How to check if your DNS has leaked

You can use NordVPN’s DNS leak test page to check whether your DNS requests are going through the expected servers:

1. 1. Connect to NordVPN and open the DNS leak test.
2. 2. Check the DNS servers shown in the results.

If you see the DNS servers expected for your VPN connection and not your ISP’s, the test passes. If your ISP’s DNS servers or other unexpected servers appear, you may have a DNS leak.

How to fix a DNS leak

To fix a possible DNS leak: 

• Use a VPN with private DNS servers and built-in DNS leak protection.
• Run occasional DNS leak tests to check that your DNS requests aren’t bypassing the VPN.

Test 3: Check for WebRTC leaks

DNS isn’t the only way information can leak while your VPN is connected. WebRTC supports real-time audio, video, and peer-to-peer communication in browsers, but in some configurations, it can expose your real IP address despite an active VPN connection.

How to check for WebRTC leaks

Because WebRTC operates through your browser, use a browser-based leak test to check whether it exposes your real IP:

1. 1. Connect to your VPN and choose a server. 
2. 2. Run a WebRTC leak test.
3. 3. Check the IP addresses shown in the results.

If the test shows only your VPN IP and not your real IP address, the test passes. If your real IP address appears, you may have a WebRTC leak.

How to fix a WebRTC leak

If the test exposes your real IP address, you can address the problem through your browser or VPN setup:

• Switch to a browser that limits WebRTC-related IP exposure.
• Disable or restrict WebRTC in your browser settings.
• Check whether your VPN provider offers a browser extension or feature that helps limit WebRTC exposure, and enable it if available.

Keep in mind that disabling WebRTC may affect browser-based video calls, voice calls, and other features that rely on it.

Test 4: Check for IPv6 leaks

The internet uses two versions of the Internet Protocol, IPv4 and IPv6, and they can operate alongside each other. An IPv6 leak can occur when your VPN routes IPv4 traffic through the VPN tunnel, but IPv6 traffic bypasses it, leaving your real IPv6 address exposed. Different VPNs handle IPv6 in different ways — some route IPv6 traffic through the tunnel, while others block IPv6 traffic at the device level so only IPv4 is routed and encrypted through the VPN.

To check for an IPv6 leak:

1. 1. Before connecting to your VPN, use an IPv6 leak test to check whether your regular connection has a public IPv6 address.
2. 2. Connect to your VPN.
3. 3. Check your IPv6 address again.

If your original IPv6 address no longer appears — or, with VPNs that route IPv6, you see an IPv6 address assigned through the VPN — the test passes. If your original IPv6 address remains visible, you may have an IPv6 leak.

If your VPN doesn’t protect IPv6 traffic, you can disable IPv6 on your device or choose a VPN with IPv6 leak protection.

Test 5: Check your VPN connection status

The leak tests above check how your traffic and IP addresses behave, while your VPN app provides a simpler check of the connection itself. Most VPN apps show a “Connected” status when the VPN tunnel is active, while NordVPN displays “Secured.”

However, a connected status alone doesn’t confirm that your VPN is working properly. Run the IP, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 tests above to check that your connection isn’t exposing information outside the VPN tunnel.

Some websites and online services restrict VPN traffic. If one website doesn’t work while your VPN remains connected, the issue may be with that particular website or VPN server rather than your overall VPN connection.

Why testing your VPN matters

Testing your VPN helps confirm that it changes your real IP address to the VPN server’s, routes your traffic through the encrypted VPN connection, and doesn’t expose information through common leaks. Regular checks can also help you spot connection or configuration problems before they affect your privacy.

How often should you test your VPN?

You don’t need to test your VPN every time you connect. However, knowing how to test your connection helps when something changes or the VPN doesn’t behave as expected. Consider testing it:

• Before handling sensitive information, especially on public Wi-Fi.
• After updating your VPN app, browser, or operating system.
• After changing VPN servers, protocols, or other connection settings.
• If you experience frequent disconnections or other connection problems.
• Occasionally, to confirm your VPN configuration still works as expected.

Does NordVPN provide tools for VPN testing?

NordVPN offers two tools for a quick check. Its “What is my IP address?” tool shows the public IP address and virtual location visible to websites and online services. When you connect to a NordVPN server, these details should correspond to that server rather than your regular connection.

You can also use the NordVPN DNS leak test to check which DNS servers handle your requests.

What are the signs that a VPN is not working?

A VPN problem isn’t always obvious, but a few warning signs can indicate that your connection isn’t working as expected:

• Your IP address doesn’t change. If your public IP stays the same after you connect, the VPN may not be routing your traffic through its server.
• A VPN leak test fails. If any of the IP, DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 tests above expose information they shouldn’t, your VPN connection may not be working properly.
• Your VPN frequently disconnects. Repeated connection drops can indicate problems with your network, VPN server, protocol, or app.
• Your internet connection becomes unusually slow or unstable. Some slowdown is normal with a VPN, but a significant or sudden change may point to a server or connection issue.
• Websites or apps stop working. A particular service may restrict VPN traffic, or a problem with your VPN server, DNS settings, or network configuration may interfere with the connection.
• Your VPN app shows an error or can’t establish a connection. Check the error message or connection status before troubleshooting further.

What are the most common VPN issues?

VPN problems can come from the VPN app, server, device settings, or your internet connection. Some of the most common issues include:

• Slow internet speeds. A VPN can slow down your internet connection because it encrypts your traffic and routes it through an additional server. Server distance, congestion, VPN protocol, and your regular internet speed can affect how noticeable the slowdown is. You can run a VPN speed test to compare your connection with and without the VPN.
• Connection failures. An unstable internet connection, an unavailable VPN server, firewall settings, or incorrect VPN configuration can prevent your VPN from connecting.
• Frequent disconnections. An unstable network, overloaded server, or VPN protocol may cause the connection to drop repeatedly.
• VPN app crashes. Outdated software, bugs, or compatibility problems can cause the VPN app to freeze, crash, or stop responding.
• Websites or apps don’t work. Some services restrict VPN traffic, while DNS settings, firewall rules, or problems with a particular VPN server can also prevent sites and apps from loading normally.

What to do if your VPN isn’t working

If your VPN isn’t working properly, the cause may be as simple as a temporary connection problem or an unavailable server. Try these fixes one at a time and check your VPN connection after each step:

1. 1. Restart your VPN app. Close the app completely, reopen it, and try connecting again.
2. 2. Change the VPN protocol. Try another available protocol, such as switching between TCP and UDP, to see if it works better with your network.
3. 3. Switch VPN servers. Connect to another server to check whether the issue is limited to the server you were using.
4. 4. Check your internet connection. Disconnect the VPN and see if your internet works normally without it.
5. 5. Update your VPN app. Install the latest version to get current bug fixes and compatibility updates.
6. 6. Check your firewall settings. Make sure your firewall or other security software isn’t blocking the VPN connection.
7. 7. Contact your VPN provider. If none of these steps fixes the problem, contact customer support for help with your specific device or connection.