Common reasons why you can’t access Google with a VPN
The root cause of why you can’t search on Google with your VPN switched on can be hard to pinpoint. Sometimes the issue is on Google’s end, but other times it can be down to your VPN provider getting flagged.
- 1.Suspicious activity. Some online services, Google included, can detect when a user is trying to access them with a VPN connection. Sometimes this can be interpreted as suspicious activity and, to block spam-like behavior, Google restricts access to its search engine and other features.
- 2.Shared IP addresses. Unless you have a dedicated IP address, whenever you connect to a VPN, you share the same IP with thousands of other users. Although your own activity might be innocent, others may be using the VPN service to engage in malicious behavior. This can lead to Google flagging your current IP address as engaging in suspicious or bot-like activity and restricting your access to the search engine.
- 3.CAPTCHA and anti-abuse measures. CAPTCHA measures are commonplace on different platforms to reduce bot attempts to access the service. As discussed, multiple users relying on the same VPN address can count as bot behavior. To counteract this, Google may ask you to complete a CAPTCHA and prove you’re human. However, if several users using the same IP address have to complete the CAPTCHA at the same time, Google may interpret this as malicious activity and prevent them from accessing the service.
- 4.DNS misconfigurations. Issues with your Domain Name System (DNS) configuration can cause network interruptions or decreased performance. These problems can be caused by a corrupted cache or issues with the router. Google attempts to parse the DNS name but encounters a server response issue, which prevents the user from reaching the search engine.
- 5.VPN-side misconfigurations. Similar to DNS misconfigurations, a VPN can also be incorrectly set up, causing access issues. These can result from meddling with the VPN’s settings or issues with authentication. Google can get confused by mismatched location data between your IP and browser data and block your access for unusual behavior.
How to fix Google Search with VPN: Step-by-step solutions
If Google is consistently blocking your access to its search engine when you have a VPN running, you can try the following solutions to resolve this issue.
1. Change your VPN server or location
Users can access thousands of VPN servers in different locations, and some tend to be busier than others. An increase in traffic may get that particular server flagged, restricting your access. Alternatively, the VPN server you’re using may be experiencing issues that aren’t affecting other servers.
If the particular VPN you’re connected to is being blocked, try switching to a different location. For instance, select a server closer to your physical location — it may prevent Google from having issues reading your location data.
2. Clear your browser cache and cookies
Sometimes your access to the Google Search engine may be blocked due to a corrupted or outdated cache. To fix this, you can simply clear your cache. This will remove the temporary files stored by your browser and should let you reach Google Search once you refresh the tab.
Alternatively, you can try clearing the cookies. This will remove small data files stored on your device from your browsing history. In addition to helping you access Google Search, deleting cookies will also boost your privacy. However, keep in mind that this process may log you out of some services.
3. Reset your DNS
If your device’s cache is storing outdated or corrupted IP address data, you can fix it by manually resetting your DNS. To do this, you need to access your device’s administrator settings and flush the DNS cache.
It can also be worthwhile to check for a DNS leak. Although it may not directly impact your access to Google’s web search results, it can point to privacy vulnerabilities. You can run a DNS leak test to check where internet traffic is being routed.
4. Get a dedicated IP for a VPN
If you use a VPN by connecting to any of the widely available servers, you share the same IP address with all users who have joined the same connection. The more users join the same server, the more likely they are to encounter the same issue and have their activity blocked as suspicious.
To avoid the troubles that come with sharing a VPN with thousands of strangers, you can get a dedicated IP with your VPN instead. This ensures that your connection remains private — and that you get a unique IP address all to yourself. A VPN with a dedicated IP also lowers the likelihood of you encountering CAPTCHA loops and persistent identity checks.
5. Use incognito or private mode
If you can’t access Google Search via a regular browser tab, try going incognito. Using the browser’s incognito or private mode starts a temporary session that doesn’t use or store any cookies from your public browsing history, which could otherwise obstruct your access to websites.
6. Switch to a different browser
If you’ve cleared your browser’s cookies and cache but still can’t access the search engine, the issue might be with the browser itself. You may be running an outdated app version that contains a bug, or some of the extensions and add-ons you use may be interfering with your browsing.
Try opening Google Search on a different browser. If it works fine, then the problem was likely with your previous browser. Check it for updates or swap to a different provider — you can visit our list for the best private browsers for some recommendations. However, if Google is not loading even on another browser, the issue might be with your internet traffic.
7. Review browser extensions
Although third-party extensions can improve your browsing experience and allow you to customize it to your convenience, they can also interfere with the services you use, even when you use a VPN. Ad blockers tend to get flagged by Google, leading to restricted service. Some malicious browser extensions act as malware and can gain access to your device to gather your sensitive data.
Review all extensions installed in your browser. Try to disable and enable different extensions to see how they affect your access to Google Search. Uninstall any extensions that appear suspicious or haven’t been updated in a while.
8. Disable VPN temporarily
If interference with Google services continues, you may need to temporarily disable your VPN. Usually, you can pause a VPN for a short period of time while you access the restricted service. Although this can sometimes be a security issue, Google is generally considered a safe service provider. Make sure you reconnect to your VPN before you access the search result websites.
9. Try another VPN provider
Some VPN providers, like lower-quality free VPNs, have limited server options, meaning that if you test them all out and your traffic is still getting blocked, you won’t be able to access the services you need. In that case, you might need to opt for a different VPN provider. You can visit our guide on how to choose a VPN to get a good idea of which criteria to consider. You can always opt for a free trial first to test how the connection of your new VPN works.
Is it safe to search on Google with a VPN?
Yes, searching on Google with a VPN is safe. Although Google may restrict the traffic in some cases when it suspects malicious activity, this is done as a security measure. However, whether the websites Google presents as search results are safe is a different question altogether. In these cases, having a VPN can be an advantage — additional security measures like a search results safety indicator help recognize and avoid malicious websites.
How to safely use Google with a VPN
To avoid experiencing connection issues or putting your privacy at risk while trying to access Google with a VPN, you can follow a few best practices.
Choose trusted VPN servers
Always ensure that the VPN app you use is trustworthy and privacy friendly. A reliable VPN should regularly refresh IP addresses, causing very minimal interference with your browsing.
Use encrypted DNS or VPN browser extensions
As an alternative to VPN apps, you can also set up encrypted DNS and VPN extensions. They improve your browsing privacy while maintaining stable connectivity. Encrypted DNS extensions can prevent your internet service provider (ISP) from seeing which websites you try to access, while a VPN extension encrypts all of your browser traffic.
Does VPN affect Google Search results?
Yes, since using a VPN changes your location data, your Google Search results will be affected. For example, if you try to look up news portals or weather updates with a VPN, the search results will prioritize websites local to the server you’re connected to. Due to geo-blocking, certain results may also be unavailable depending on where you’re connected.
Experiencing VPN problems with other websites?
If you’re experiencing issues accessing websites beyond Google Search, you can use the website and service status checker to see if the issue you’re experiencing is happening only on your side or whether it’s a global problem.
If the issue with your VPN persists, your IP address may be temporarily blocked. In this case, try changing your server and see if a different VPN lets you access websites successfully. If you’re still unable to visit one or more websites while connected to NordVPN, please consult our dedicated help guide or get in touch with the support team.
Online security starts with a click.
Stay safe with the world’s leading VPN
