You can enable the NordVPN kill switch via its settings dashboard on its PC or Android apps. However, you don’t need to enable it manually on the iOS app since it’s automatically activated whenever you connect to a NordVPN server.
Furthermore, NordVPN has TWO kill switches on some of its PC apps.
I’ve created these stepwise guides on configuring the different NordVPN kill switches.
How to Setup the NordVPN Kill Switch?
NordVPN doesn’t have a kill switch setting on all devices, while it has two kill switches on other devices. Here’s how to enable it on devices where you can toggle the kill switch on.
How to Enable the NordVPN Kill Switch on PC?
NordVPN’s system-wide kill switch can be toggled on Windows PCs.
The feature is automatically enabled for Linux and MacOS users whenever they connect to a NordVPN server.
Follow the guide below to tweak it on Windows:
- Get a NordVPN plan. Use these discounts for more savings.
- Download the NordVPN Windows PC app. You can get it from your device’s app store or the NordVPN download page.
- Install the VPN app and launch it.
- Log in with your NordVPN username and password.
- Click the Settings cog in the lower left corner, then “Kill Switch.”
- Toggle “Internet Kill Switch” to the ON position.
- Define how you want the Internet Kill Switch to work. You can disable internet transmissions only on accidental VPN connection drops or manual and accidental disconnections.
- Once you’ve decided, click the Locations icon to open NordVPN locations.
- Click “Quick Connect” to get the nearest/fastest or preset location.
- Optional: You can also click the dropdown menu icon to search for a preferred server or connect to a specialty server.
- You can now protect your sensitive internet traffic without worrying about IP/DNS leaks on accidental disconnection.
Otherwise, it doesn’t work.
How to Enable the NordVPN Kill Switch on Android?
Android users must enable the NordVPN kill switch since it’s not automatically turned on when they get the Android app.
Fortunately, you can finish it in less than 2 minutes:
- Buy a NordVPN plan. Save more with these discount offers.
- Search your Google Play Store for “NordVPN.”
- Download the app and tap “Open” once it’s done installing.
- Tap “Already have an account? Log in.”
- Sign in with your email address and password.
- Once logged in, connect to a random NordVPN server. We need this to establish a VPN profile on your phone for later. I’ll tap “Quick Connect” for this demonstration.
- You’ll get a connection request prompt. Tap “OK.”
- Once connected, go to your Android device’s settings section. I’ll use my Samsung smartphone for this demonstration, so the steps might differ slightly on your Android device.
- Tap “Connections,” “Wireless and networks,” or your device’s specific network settings tab. Alternatively, search for “VPN” and skip to step 12 below.
- Select “More,” “More connection settings,” or your device’s variant.
- Tap “VPN.”
- You should see “NordVPN” there. Otherwise, repeat the process from step 6 above.
- Click the settings cog next to NordVPN.
- Toggle “Always-on VPN” to the ON position.
- The NordVPN kill switch is now active on your Android device!
How to Enable the NordVPN Application Kill Switch Feature?
NordVPN has an application kill switch on Windows PC and Mac OS to exclude some apps from the operations of the kill switch. Think of it as NordVPN’s split tunneling but for kill switches alone.
Here’s how to set that up:
- Launch your NordVPN PC app. I’ll continue with the Windows app for this demonstration.
- Click the settings/gear icon, then “Kill Switch.”
- Toggle “App Kill Switch” ON.
- Click “Add apps.”
- You’ll get a list of \applications, programs, and processes on your PC. Choose the ones you want to protect with the kill switch, then click “Add selected.”
- Click the locations icon to return to the VPN home page, then connect to a preferred server.
- Your application kill switch is now live.
How to Test That the NordVPN Kill Switch Works?
The NordVPN kill switch has never disappointed me, but it doesn’t hurt to test that it does what it says. So, before an actual VPN disconnection happens, here’s a neat way to test the VPN kill switch:
- Set up the NordVPN internet kill switch as detailed above.
- Connect to a NordVPN server. I’ll choose a random USA server for this example.
- Go to a page refresher tool. I’ll use www.pagerefresher.com for this test.
- Enter www.ip-api.com/csv in the website link space, and set the refresher to 2-5 seconds.
- Click “Start/Stop” to run the API.
- Let the refresher tool run once and confirm that the API returns your NordVPN server IP address. This means that the VPN service is working.
- Simulate a VPN connection drop. I tried a few things, but you can switch servers or Wi-Fi networks. I switched between my Wi-Fi networks for this example.
- During the switch, observe if the API returns your actual IP address. Otherwise, the VPN kill switch works.
When Does the NordVPN Kill Switch Trigger?
Other VPN providers don’t have their kill switch kick-in when you manually disconnect from a VPN server, but NordVPN can do that!
Find out other instances when the VPN kill switch kicks in.
Manual Disconnection from a Server
If you’re scared that you might manually tap a server off while in the middle of a heavy torrenting session or doing other sensitive internet stuff, NordVPN has you covered.
Other VPN kill switches (such as the ExpressVPN kill switch) won’t work when manually disconnecting from the server. But to get this on NordVPN, you must specify under the internet kill switch setting that you want it to kick in whenever you disconnect from a server.
Note that this option is only possible on Windows PC devices for now.
So, you won’t get kill switch protection when you manually disconnect from a server on iOS, Android, macOS, or Linux devices.
Unstable Networks/Switching Network Connections
The NordVPN kill switch activates if you’re connected to an unstable network that keeps disconnecting/reconnecting your internet.
Likewise, the kill switch steps in if you’re switching from a Wi-Fi network to a cellular network or from one Wi-Fi network to another.
In any of these cases, the kill switch ensures your device doesn’t transmit any data to the internet the instant it’s reconnected to the chosen network.
Instead, the VPN re-establishes its connection to your chosen server, then encrypts your device’s data before passing it on to the internet again.
Firewall or Antivirus Conflicts
Your firewall or antivirus may stop NordVPN from establishing a server connection after an upgrade, fresh install, system reboot, or any other case.
When that happens, the VPN’s kill switch prevents you from going online without protection by cutting off your internet service.
It’s best to add the VPN to your router/firewall’s exception list to fix this.
On System Wake-Up
Note, this only happens if you were connected to a NordVPN server before putting your system to sleep. So, when the system wakes up, it’ll prevent internet transmissions till the NordVPN server is reconnected.
In some rare (and that’s very rare) cases where NordVPN doesn’t automatically reconnect to a server, the kill switch will still be active. That means your internet won’t work.
Don’t panic, though. Connect to a NordVPN server via the app, and you can go again.
When Switching Servers
Want to switch servers without disconnecting one to connect the other?
No problem.
Under these conditions, I tested the NordVPN kill switch, and it retained the first server’s IP address while connecting me to the new server. Hence, my IP and internet traffic never leaked, and my device kept broadcasting as the other NordVPN server!
Beef Up Your Internet Security Today
NordVPN throws in its kill switch with its VPN’s basic pricing.
You don’t need to shell out more than the affordable price you’re paying for the VPN to get it.
And thanks to its six simultaneous connections, you can enjoy the kill switch on all your PC and mobile devices. Good thing you now know how to set it up across different NordVPN-supported platforms!
How about these NordVPN discounts to save some bucks on your first subscription and start using the kill switch today?