VPN Connected But No Internet: What to Check
If VPN shows connected but there is no internet: check your external IP at ipleak.net (if unchanged, traffic is not routing through the VPN). Switch to TUN mode if in proxy mode. Try mobile data. If it works on mobile data, the issue is with the specific network, not the VPN config.
Step 1
Reconnect the VPN (disconnect and reconnect) to clear a stale connection state.
Step 2
Switch to TUN mode if using proxy mode.
Step 3
Re-import the config if reconnection does not help.
- The issue no longer reproduces in the network where you noticed it.
- Your critical service or workflow behaves consistently after the re-check.
- You know what context to send to support if the issue comes back.
- VPN shows connected but no IP change on ipleak.net even after config re-import.
- Problem occurs on both home Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- You need urgent access for work or travel.
- ipleak.net results (IP shown and DNS servers).
- Client mode (proxy or TUN).
- Network type (home Wi-Fi, hotel, mobile data).
- Device, OS and client version.
- On iPhone: toggle airplane mode off and on to reset the network stack, then reconnect VPN.
- On Android: disable and re-enable Wi-Fi, then reconnect the VPN.
- On Windows: if the TUN adapter shows as disconnected in Device Manager, restart the Hiddify service.
How to recognize this issue
This issue usually appears through one or more of the following symptoms.
- VPN client shows a connected status but all websites time out.
- Browser works but specific apps (email, messaging) have no connection.
- Everything was working earlier in the session but stopped mid-use.
Most common causes
Proxy mode selected — some apps do not respect system proxy settings.
Network changed mid-session (e.g. hotel captive portal re-appeared) breaking the tunnel.
VPN server temporarily unreachable — connection shows stale state.
DNS not routing through the VPN — lookups fail even though tunnel is up.
First checks
Start with the cheapest checks before changing everything at once.
- Reconnect the VPN (disconnect and reconnect) to clear a stale connection state.
- Switch to TUN mode if using proxy mode.
- Re-import the config if reconnection does not help.
Diagnostic flow
If the fast checks did not help, localize the problem step by step.
- Disconnect and reconnect the VPN — clears stale connection state.
- Visit ipleak.net to confirm IP has changed and DNS is not leaking.
- Switch to TUN mode if browser works but other apps do not.
- Test on mobile data — if internet works there, the issue is with the specific Wi-Fi network.
Device-specific notes
On iPhone: toggle airplane mode off and on to reset the network stack, then reconnect VPN.
On Android: disable and re-enable Wi-Fi, then reconnect the VPN.
On Windows: if the TUN adapter shows as disconnected in Device Manager, restart the Hiddify service.
When to escalate to support
VPN shows connected but no IP change on ipleak.net even after config re-import.
Problem occurs on both home Wi-Fi and mobile data.
You need urgent access for work or travel.
What to send to support
The more precise the context, the faster support can help.
- ipleak.net results (IP shown and DNS servers).
- Client mode (proxy or TUN).
- Network type (home Wi-Fi, hotel, mobile data).
- Device, OS and client version.
Continue with the next logical step
The actions below follow the page intent: start with the primary next step, then use setup, support, or the travel checker if needed.
Frequently asked questions
You are likely in proxy mode. Proxy mode only covers apps that respect the system proxy setting — many do not. Switch to TUN mode for full-device coverage.
The VPN tunnel is up but something is blocking outbound traffic from the server — or the server is temporarily overloaded. Re-import the config to get a fresh server list and try a different endpoint.
Often yes — it clears stale connection state. If the issue recurs, the cause is deeper: stale config, network blocking or client misconfiguration.
Yes. Hotel captive portals sometimes re-appear mid-session and break the VPN tunnel. Reconnect the VPN after every time you see a captive portal prompt.