Your VPN isn't connecting because of a problem on your device, your internet, or between them and the VPN server

A VPN that won't connect usually falls into one of three categories: something is blocking the connection on your device, your internet connection itself is broken, or the VPN service is having trouble on their end. Most of the time it's the first one — a setting you can fix in minutes without calling anyone.

The fastest way forward is to restart your device and your router, then try connecting again. If that doesn't work, the steps below will walk you through the most common causes in the order you should check them.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your device and router first — this fixes roughly half of all connection problems without any other steps.
  • Check that your internet connection itself is working by opening a web browser and visiting any website.
  • Look for a firewall or antivirus program blocking your VPN, which you can usually see in your security software's settings.
  • If your VPN app is outdated, update it through your device's app store — old versions often stop working.
  • Contact your VPN provider's support if none of these steps work, because the problem may be on their servers.

Restart your device and router

Before you do anything else, turn off your device completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This clears temporary glitches that block connections more often than you'd expect.

While your router is restarting, open your VPN app and try to connect again. If it works, you're done. If not, move to the next step.

Confirm your internet is actually working

Your VPN needs a working internet connection to function. Open a web browser — Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox — and try to visit a website like Google.com or BBC.com. If the page loads, your internet is fine and the problem is with your VPN specifically. If the page doesn't load, your internet connection is down and you need to fix that first before the VPN will work.

If your internet is down, restart your router again and wait two minutes for it to fully come back online. If it still doesn't work, contact your internet provider — the problem is on their end, not with your VPN.

Check if a firewall or antivirus is blocking your VPN

Security software on your device often blocks VPN connections without telling you. On Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall (search for "firewall" in your Start menu), click "Allow an app through firewall," and look for your VPN app in the list. If it's there but unchecked, check the box next to it. If it's not there, click "Allow another app" and browse to find your VPN application.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, click the Firewall Options button, and look for your VPN app in the list. If you don't see it, click the plus sign to add it. If you use third-party antivirus software like Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky, open that program and look for a firewall or network settings section — the exact location varies, but the principle is the same: find your VPN app and allow it through.

Update your VPN app

VPN apps that haven't been updated in weeks or months often stop connecting because the servers change or security requirements shift. Open your device's app store — the App Store on Mac or iPhone, Google Play on Android, or the Microsoft Store on Windows — search for your VPN app, and check whether an update is available. If one is, install it and try connecting again.

After updating, close the app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the old version stays partially loaded in memory and causes problems even after an update.

Check your VPN app's settings

Some VPN apps have settings that prevent connection. Open your VPN app and look for a Settings or Preferences menu. Check whether there's a toggle for "Auto-connect" or "Connect on startup" — if it's off, turn it on. Look for any setting that mentions "protocol" or "connection type" and make sure it's set to Automatic rather than a specific option like OpenVPN or IKEv2.

If your VPN app lets you choose a server location, try selecting a different one. Sometimes a specific server is overloaded or offline, and switching to another location will work immediately.

Disable VPN temporarily to test your device

If you have multiple VPN apps installed, uninstall all but one and try again. Multiple VPN apps can interfere with each other. If you're using a VPN built into your browser (like Opera's built-in VPN), turn that off and use a standalone VPN app instead — browser VPNs and app VPNs don't work together.

If you use a proxy server or have configured a VPN through your device's network settings (rather than through an app), those can also block a VPN app from working. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and make sure "Use a proxy server" is turned off. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network, select your connection, click Advanced, go to the Proxies tab, and make sure no proxies are checked.

Contact your VPN provider if nothing works

If you've worked through all the steps above and your VPN still won't connect, the problem is likely on the VPN provider's end — their servers may be down, or there may be an issue specific to your account. Open your VPN app and look for a Support or Help button, or visit the provider's website and find their support contact information. Have ready the name of your device, your operating system version, and the exact error message you see when you try to connect.

Most VPN providers respond to support requests within a few hours. While you wait, you can still use your device normally — the VPN just won't be active, so your internet activity won't be routed through their servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my VPN connect sometimes but not other times?

This usually means a specific server is overloaded or offline. Try selecting a different server location in your VPN app. If that works, the problem is with that particular server, not your device or internet. You can also try connecting at a different time of day when fewer people are using the service.

What does "connection timeout" mean?

A timeout means your device tried to reach the VPN server but didn't get a response within the time limit. This usually happens because the server is too busy, your internet is slow, or a firewall is blocking the connection. Try a different server location, restart your router, and check your firewall settings.

Can I use my VPN if my internet is very slow?

A slow internet connection can prevent a VPN from connecting at all, or cause it to disconnect frequently. Try restarting your router and moving closer to it if you're on WiFi. If your internet is consistently slow, contact your internet provider — the VPN will work better once your base connection is faster.

Does restarting my device erase anything?

No. Restarting simply turns your device off and back on. All your files, apps, and settings stay exactly as they are. It's completely safe to do as many times as you need.

Why would my VPN stop working after I updated my device?

Device updates sometimes change security settings or firewall rules. After a major update, check your firewall settings again to make sure your VPN app is still allowed through. You may also need to update your VPN app itself if a new version is available.