VPN not connecting: 12 ways to fix the biggest problems

How to fix a VPN that’s not working 

Sometimes it isn't immediately clear why your VPN isn't working, but if there's a cause, there's almost always a fix. An effective way to troubleshoot is to start with the common reasons and check them off one at a time. Weak Wi-Fi, incorrect credentials, or a server going offline are simple fixes and the most common problems. But if those aren’t the issue, then a small adjustment to your device or network settings will often get the VPN working again.

If you're ready to troubleshoot, start with the first fix below and work your way down the list. Chances are one of them will help you solve your problem.

Jump to a fix:

1. 1.Check your internet connection
2. 2.Check your credentials
3. 3.Check your VPN server status
4. 4.Check your VPN protocol and ports
5. 5.Look for VPN software issues
6. 6.Check the firewall blocking
7. 7.Restart your VPN app
8. 8.Reinstall the latest version of your VPN app
9. 9.Update your device’s operating system
10. 10.Disable battery optimization or power-saving features
11. 11.Reset your network settings
12. 12.Contact customer service

1. Check your internet connection

If your connection keeps dropping in and out, your VPN won’t connect properly. Here are four things you can do to help restore your internet connection:

• Disconnect and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
• Restart your router.
• Check your router’s ethernet cable to see if it’s connected or damaged.
• Contact your internet service provider (ISP) if you still need help restoring your connection.

If NordVPN keeps disconnecting because you have an unstable internet connection, don’t worry. NordVPN’s built-in Kill Switch feature will immediately take all of your devices offline to protect your privacy.

And if slow internet is getting in the way, we’ve also got tips on how to increase your Wi-Fi bandwidth.

2. Check your credentials

Double-check that you have entered your login credentials correctly because a simple mistake or a typo can prevent you from connecting to the VPN. If you use NordVPN, for example, you can easily check them via the user control panel, which can be accessed in your NordVPN account. Choose NordVPN under “Dashboard” on the left. Then scroll down to “Advanced configuration” and see your username and password in the “Service credentials” (manual setup) section. And make sure your account hasn’t expired.

If you forgot your credentials, try resetting your password or contacting your VPN provider’s customer support team for help. NordVPN users can follow these easy instructions on how to reset their NordVPN password. Make sure you use complex passwords for your VPN account and change them often to stay safe. You can use our secure NordPass tool to store them.

If you run VPN software on your router, make sure you have the right service credentials entered for it — they are separate from your VPN account. If they are incorrect, you won’t be able to connect to a VPN server.

When downloading a VPN, make sure you’ve chosen a reliable one because there are multiple VPN scams out there, from fake VPNs to illegally resold cracked VPN accounts. If you have doubts, you can check if your NordVPN is legit.

3. Check your VPN server status

VPN servers can occasionally experience downtime or connectivity issues, which can prevent you from connecting to the VPN. To check whether your preferred VPN server is working, you can try connecting to a different server location and see if that resolves the issue. For example, if you’re struggling to connect to a VPN server in the UK, just try disconnecting and then selecting a VPN server in Germany. If you have questions about how to do so, learn how to get a German IP address using our guide.

4. Check your VPN protocol and ports

Changing the protocol you use to connect to the VPN can solve connectivity and speed issues. Simply choose a different protocol in your VPN app. NordVPN uses the NordLynx protocol by default, but it has another great option — the OpenVPN protocol, which is also known for its reliability — so try switching to it.

VPNs require specific ports to be open for the connection to work properly. The most common connection ports VPN services use are port 500 for UDP and port 443 for TCP. If these ports are blocked by your ISP or closed on your network, you may experience connectivity issues. You can check whether the necessary ports are open or try changing your default port setting.

In most cases, NordVPN works without any port changes. The app is basically plug and play. Port checks usually come into play only on restrictive networks or during manual troubleshooting. For NordVPN to work, the 443 TCP and 1194 UDP ports need to be open. Your firewall or router must also allow VPN passthrough. You can activate VPN passthrough for different protocols through your router settings. Just note that NordVPN does not offer port forwarding. The app blocks all ports except the ones your VPN software needs to operate. This makes you safer because open ports create lots of security risks.

5. Look for VPN software issues

VPN software, much like any other software, can crash or experience glitches and bugs from time to time. Using NordVPN and suspect there might be a bug? Participate in our bug bounty program if you are willing to look into it more closely. If you’re right about the bug — we’ll reward your efforts!

Always make sure you have the most up-to-date version of your app installed (premium providers like NordVPN perform regular testing to catch and fix bugs ASAP). You can also try resetting or reinstalling your software if the problem persists. Consider closing some background programs and cleaning up your disk space.

Your VPN settings may also be causing issues. You can easily reset them to the default if you suspect something is wrong. And regularly check for and install VPN software updates.

What to do if NordVPN background processes aren't running

One way to fix NordVPN background processes that aren’t running is to reset the NordVPN app using the built-in diagnostics tool. To do that, open the folder where NordVPN is installed, locate the "Diagnostics" folder, and run the "Diagnostics tool." Click on "Reset app" and allow the application to restore its default settings. 

If you use antivirus software, make sure NordVPN is added to its exclusions list so it doesn’t block any background processes. And while you’re at it, check that your NordVPN app is up to date. 

A reinstall of the app or a device restart may also sometimes help restore the required background processes. And if the issue is still hanging on at this point, collect diagnostics, note the ticket ID, and send them to our support team, who will troubleshoot the rest with you until the error is removed.

6. Check firewall blocking

Firewalls can block VPN traffic or prevent the VPN client from connecting to the server, so it’s important to check whether your firewall is blocking the VPN connection. To check whether your firewall, including the Windows Defender firewall, is the reason behind VPN blocking, try temporarily disabling it or adding an exception for the VPN client in your personal firewall settings.

If that doesn’t work, NordWhisper, NordVPN’s new protocol, might be able to help. It’s built to overcome restrictive local network policies and firewalls that block traditional VPN traffic, making your connection smoother and more consistent. So if a firewall is blocking your VPN, you can manually switch to NordWhisper in your settings to get back online.

NordWhisper is now available on Windows, Android, and Linux, and it will soon be rolled out to macOS and iOS.

7. Restart your VPN app

Restarting your VPN app will force it to make a new connection to the internet, provided the connection is stable.

• Close the VPN app completely. Depending on your device, you may need to swipe it off the screen or use a task manager to force-quit the app.
• Wait for a few seconds to allow the app to fully shut down.
• Reopen the VPN app by tapping on its icon.
• Once the app has reopened, try connecting to your VPN account and select any server again to see if the issue has been resolved.

8. Reinstall the latest version of your VPN app

The latest version of your VPN app will have likely fixed bugs and security flaws that were harming its performance. Here are the general steps you can follow to reinstall your VPN app:

• Uninstall the existing VPN app from your device.
• After uninstalling the app, restart your device to ensure that any remaining app data is cleared from your device’s memory.
• Download and install the latest version of the VPN app from your app store or provider website. Download the latest version of NordVPN if it is your preferred option.
• Open the reinstalled VPN app and sign in to your account.
• Newly configure the VPN settings as needed and try connecting to the VPN server to ensure that it is working properly.

9. Update your device’s operating system

Outdated operating systems can break a VPN connection. A missing security patch, an outdated network driver, or a system-level bug may prevent the VPN tunnel required for a secure connection from forming. When your VPN won’t connect even after you’ve gone through the basic fixes, updating your operating system is another way to rule out software conflicts.

Install any pending updates, restart your device, and try connecting again. These actions refresh your network components, providing a clean environment for the VPN to work with.

10. Disable battery optimization or power-saving features

Power-saving features can block background processes or restrict network activity — and a VPN cannot connect if the system shuts down the app before it establishes a VPN tunnel. This issue is especially common on Android, but it can come up on iOS and laptops as well.

Disable battery optimization for the VPN app or switch off aggressive power-saving modes temporarily. Once the system stops limiting the app, try connecting again.

11. Reset your network settings

If your VPN still won’t connect, your device may be dealing with corrupted network settings, conflicting DNS information, or routing rules that stop the VPN tunnel from forming. Resetting your network settings gives your device a fresh start.

This step restores your default network configuration, clears old DNS records, and resets routing tables. After the reset, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or mobile network and try the VPN again.

12. Contact customer service

If none of these methods help, contact your provider’s customer support and inform them of your concerns. NordVPN support is available 24/7, so you can reach us anywhere, anytime.

Why is my VPN not connecting?

VPN connection failures rarely happen without a cause. Like most VPN problems, they surface when a link in the chain of processes (your device, your network, or the VPN app) disrupts the formation of the secure tunnel. Troubleshooting becomes much easier once you understand what a healthy VPN environment looks like and which parts of it commonly break. When you know what can go wrong, it's far easier to pinpoint the exact issue. 

Most VPN connection problems come down to one of the following:

• Unstable internet connection. A weak or inconsistent signal can interrupt the process of establishing a secure connection.
• Incorrect login credentials or expired service credentials. A mismatch prevents the app from authenticating with the VPN server.
• Server downtime or maintenance. The server you picked may be temporarily offline or overloaded due to high VPN usage.
• Protocol or port restrictions. Some networks block specific VPN protocols or the ports they use.
• Local network restrictions. In some parts of the world, network-level filtering or regulation can disrupt or block VPN traffic.
• Firewall or antivirus interference. Some security software may misidentify VPN traffic as suspicious and shut it down.
• Outdated app or device software. Old versions of the VPN client or operating systems can break compatibility with newer VPN requirements.
• Missing or stopped background processes. If key support services aren’t running, the VPN cannot set up the encrypted connection.
• Power-saving or battery optimization settings. These features can pause or limit network activity required for the VPN to connect.
• Router-level settings or policies. VPN passthrough may be turned off, or strict NAT rules may interfere with the connection.
• DNS misconfiguration. Conflicting or incorrect DNS settings can prevent your device from reaching the VPN server.
• Corrupted network settings. Old routing rules or cached data can interfere with connection attempts.

VPN not working on different devices

VPN connection issues can look different depending on the device you’re using. Each operating system has its own way of handling network permissions, background processes, and security features — and any of these can interrupt the VPN tunnel before it forms. The sections below explain what typically goes wrong on each platform and what you can adjust to get your VPN working again.

Why is my VPN browser extension not working?

A VPN browser extension may not be working as expected for several reasons. One common issue is that the extension may be incompatible with the browser you are using or may not be supported on the operating system you are using.

Another possibility is that the VPN extension may not be properly installed or configured, which can result in connection errors. Try to restart or reinstall your VPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or other browser.

Additionally, you can check if your chosen VPN provider offers limited features for its extensions. You can also check if you have the latest browser extension version or your browser’s security settings.

Why is my VPN connection so slow?

Even though premium VPN services do not slow down your internet significantly, you may sometimes experience speed drops, especially with poorly configured VPNs. Below are some tips on how to fix your VPN problems.

• Run a speed test. Check your speeds with and without the VPN to determine whether your internet provider or the VPN server is causing the slowdown. If the VPN server is overloaded, switching to another location usually helps.
• Connect to a different VPN server. Server load and proximity matter. A busy server or one that’s farther away from your physical location can slow down your connection. Pick a server that’s closer to home or one showing lower usage to see if speeds improve.
• Try a different VPN protocol. VPN protocols handle speed and security differently. OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are reliable and widely used, but they can be slower on some networks. NordVPN’s default protocol, NordLynx, is lightweight, fast, and built for stable performance, so switching to it can often boost speeds right away.
• Change your port or IP protocol. Some networks throttle certain ports or handle TCP traffic poorly. Switching from TCP to UDP can improve speed because UDP is generally faster, though slightly less stable. Adjusting your ports may also help if your ISP slows down specific ones.
• Switch to a more reliable VPN service. Free VPNs often struggle with speed because they lack the server capacity and maintenance resources to keep performance steady. They also tend to crowd users onto limited infrastructure. A well-supported paid service is more likely to deliver consistent speeds and stronger privacy protection.

Why does my VPN keep disconnecting? 

Repeated VPN disconnects are commonly caused by an unstable internet connection, though the root issue can differ from case to case. To troubleshoot and stabilize the connection, follow these steps:

1. 1.Make sure your internet connection is stable and strong.
2. 2.Try switching to a VPN server in a different location.
3. 3.Try a different DNS server. It is worth changing to a different DNS server to check if it’s your service provider’s DNS server that’s at fault. In the NordVPN app, you can easily do that in the preferences section. But keep in mind that custom DNS servers expose you to a higher risk of a DNS leak.
4. 4.Try switching between different VPN protocols. See our article on how to switch from TCP to UDP protocol on NordVPN.
5. 5.Adjust your VPN settings to prevent it from disconnecting due to inactivity or when switching between networks. In the NordVPN app, enable the auto-connect feature on Wi-Fi or always.
6. 6.Check if a firewall or an antivirus software on your device is interfering with your VPN connection.
7. 7.If you’re still having issues, contact your VPN’s customer service for further assistance.

If you are using the NordVPN app on a Windows device when your VPN connection drops and you’ve tried all of the actions suggested above, you should visit our support webpage on some other common Windows issues with clear steps on how to solve them.

And if you’ve been running into connection issues with NordVPN, the short video below walks you through what to do.

How to know if a VPN is working

You can confirm that your VPN is working by checking whether your traffic is being routed through the VPN server. The quickest way is to look up your public IP address. Search “what is my IP” in your browser before and after connecting to the VPN. If the IP changes to match the VPN server’s location, the connection is active.

Another way to verify your VPN is to run a DNS leak test. A DNS leak test tool will show which DNS servers are handling your requests. If those servers match the VPN connection instead of your internet provider, your DNS traffic is protected.

You can also rely on your VPN app itself. Most apps display the server you’re connected to and confirm that the tunnel is active. If the app shows a successful connection and your IP and DNS tests line up with that server, your VPN is working as it should.