'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
How to check if your VPN is working (and what to do if your VPN won't connect)
Adopting a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an excellent way to help protect your privacy online and disguise your activities from the companies collecting data on you over multiple websites.
Also: How to convert your home's old TV cable into powerful Ethernet lines
However, as with all forms of software, sometimes signing up for a new VPN service or transitioning to a new PC can cause issues and errors to flare up with your VPN.
If you're unsure if a VPN is working correctly or experiencing connection failures, here are some tips on how to check and restart your VPN -- as well as keep your connection secure.
How can I check if my VPN is working?
1. Make sure your VPN in updated
Before you do anything else while you're troubleshooting, you should always make sure that you have the latest version of your VPN available.
2. Turn off your VPN and look up your IP address
When a VPN is working correctly, it will mask your IP address and create an encrypted tunnel to protect your data.
Now, turn off your VPN and look up your IP address, which only requires typing, "What is my IP address" into Google. Your Internet Protocol (IP) address is your device identifier on a network, assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Also: What is an IP address and how can you change it with a VPN?
You can use Google's search here to find your IP address. Alternatively, use the privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo.
If you want more information, such as your rough geographic location, area code, or hostname, you can also use NordVPN's free IP lookup service.
3. Turn your VPN back on
Now that you know your actual IP address, turn on your VPN. If your VPN is working (or, at the least, is able to disguise your IP address), you should see a different IP address appear.
For example, I am based in London, and my preferred VPN providers are ExpressVPN and NordVPN. As you can see below, my IP address and location are set to the US when my VPN works.
Also: What is VPN split tunneling and should I be using it?
If you get the same IP address with your VPN on or off, your VPN is not working correctly and is not disguising your location.
IP address leaks: What you need to know
A successful DNS leak test, showing only servers connected to my VPN service.
Even if you use a VPN, your IP address may leak, whether or not connections are based on IPv4 or IPv6. Suppose a VPN service doesn't provide adequate encryption or there are programming issues. In that case, DNS queries sent outside the typical VPN tunnel could reveal your true IP address rather than the IP assigned to your device by your VPN provider.
Also: Cybersecurity 101: Protect your privacy
It is also possible that your IP address may accidentally leak via the WebRTC protocol, used widely by technology firms to facilitate real-time communication services. However, reliable VPN services with robust security in place shouldn't permit WebRTC leaks.
- To test for exposed IP addresses, visit DNS Leak Test and run either a standard or extended test. If your real IP is shown, your VPN is not performing as it should and your private data might be leaked.
- You can also use the WebRTC tool available on the ExpressVPN domain.
If a leak occurs, it is best to change your VPN provider.
What to do if your VPN refuses to connect
Security
If you know your VPN is up-to-date but you're facing connection issues, there are several steps you can try. Many VPN providers will show a green light or similar icon when a VPN connection is active, and red when there is a problem with the connection.
- Some VPNs deliberately block internet traffic if they can't connect or there are issues with your internet connection. This is known as a kill switch, which prevents your device from reverting back to a connection that may be unsafe and unencrypted if creating a VPN tunnel fails. If you're having issues with or without your VPN on, reset your router or mobile connection.
- You should check your account details. If your credentials are incorrect, you will be refused access to the VPN service. In addition, if you are a subscriber and haven't paid your bill, you might be locked out.
- Consider speed. If your internet connection is being throttled or there are line problems, this can cause performance issues that result in VPN failures. You can check your internet speed with these internet speeds tests.
- Is your VPN being blocked? Some countries, governments, and state-owned ISPs may prevent you from using a VPN entirely and block the use of popular providers at the service level.
- If you have a standalone firewall, disable it to test whether or not the software is inadvertently blocking your VPN.
- Try switching between protocols. For example, as shown above, ExpressVPN will automatically choose the best option for you -- but you can also switch between UDP and TCP.
- You could also check to see if there are any service disruptions online that have been reported by other users.
Your VPN is connecting but won't display web pages
Sometimes -- and I've found this with ExpressVPN -- connecting is successful but I still can't access web pages. More often than not, the issue stems from the VPN location I have chosen. For example, a server location in Texas suddenly won't show web pages, but a Germany location will.
Normally, these issues are temporary and outside of your control to fix (for example, the server may be offline) -- so try to change the location and see if this resolves the issue.
VPN FAQ
Why should I use a VPN?
VPNs mask your IP address, and more. They also encrypt traffic, securing the communication channels we use every day and making it less likely you can be tracked by marketers and other third parties -- or have a threat actor eavesdrop on your activities.
You should always use a VPN, for example, when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, as they are open by design and may be a security threat to your data and devices.
Also: Why you needs a VPN
For many, VPNs are a way to improve personal security. However, VPN users may also connect to circumvent censorship and website blocks or to access geo-locked content -- such as news outlets or entertainment libraries only available to visitors in specific countries.
Can you be tracked with a VPN?
Reliable VPN providers will do their best to keep data collection logs to a minimum and security standards high to prevent surveillance. However, no VPN is completely safe and there may be other ways your use of a VPN could put you on the law enforcement radar (at least, in countries where VPNs are banned).
It is possible that some countries might work at the ISP level to detect who is likely using a VPN, and some VPN services might collect more information than required on you, to later be passed to third parties.
Also: The best VPNs for torrenting
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, but this doesn't mean you get a free pass to perform illegal activities through them. Even if your VPN traffic is encrypted, if you are conducting illegal affairs, there are other ways for you to be tracked down.
What are the disadvantages of a VPN?
There are several disadvantages to using a VPN. The first is cost -- many VPN providers will only unlock their software's full features and benefits to users who subscribe either monthly or annually.
Furthermore, VPNs may ramp up data consumption and slow down your connection.
Also: Why is my internet so slow? 11 ways to speed up your connection
You should also check to see if using a VPN is legal in your country, as you might risk fines or even prosecution in areas they are illegal. According to NordVPN, countries that have banned the use of virtual private networks include North Korea, Iran, and Belarus. Some other countries, including China, disapprove of the use of VPNs and are attempting to restrict their use.
Do I need to pay for a VPN?
You don't have to pay for a VPN; however, it is often advised that you do so.
Companies need to generate income to operate and VPN providers are no exception. The typical difference between paid and free VPN options is what data is collected on users. Some VPN providers will track your information and collect data for advertisement purposes, and past studies suggest that free VPNs are far more likely to do so.
Also: The best free VPNs (you get what you pay for)
This doesn't mean every free option will collect logs or other data. For example, some VPN providers will have a free option that is restricted in terms of speed or the number of countries on offer, with paid subscribers enjoying the full benefits.