Did your VPN disconnect again? Ugh. That can be frustrating!
I know this because I’ve had the same problem, so you’re not alone.
Your VPN might disconnect because of a weak internet connection, an outdated VPN system, limitations on your VPN network, or other unrelated reasons.
Whatever the problem is, I’ll highlight them in this piece, provide reasonable solutions, and help you prevent VPN disconnections altogether.
So, chin up, smile, and let’s get in this together!
Common Reasons for VPN Disconnection
I understand your VPN disconnecting and reconnecting can be a major headache, so I’ll briefly explain some reasons for the VPN disconnection below.
Slow Internet Connection
Your VPN service works hand-in-hand with a strong broadband network, Wi-Fi network, or router. So if you have a slow Wi-Fi connection or fluctuation in your broadband network, it could lead to VPN disconnection.
Software Issues
Most VPNs don’t function when other VPNs are running, or your antivirus/firewall setups block them.
On the one hand, your VPN will have difficulty encrypting an already encrypted internet connection (just use Double VPN instead), and the extra tunneling might cause both VPNs to fail.
Likewise, network firewalls can be configured to restrict all the ports a VPN would use, blacklist specific IP ranges, and terminate persistent connections to specific IP addresses, all of which could cause your VPN to disconnect.
Outdated VPN System
Your VPN becomes susceptible to random disconnections, hackers, and other cybercriminals when it lacks the most recent security features or contains bugs interfering with the connection and activation process.
High-Volume Server
The amount of traffic on a VPN should be proportional to the server networks.
So, there can be congestion in a scenario where your installed VPN (with a small server network) gets more clients’ data traffic than it can handle. Thus, leading to instant VPN disconnection on such overcrowded servers.
VPN Traffic Blocked by Your ISP
Limitations on Your VPN Network
You can usually connect a VPN service on between five to unlimited devices simultaneously with your subscription. So, a VPN service may disconnect or fail to connect if you attempt to connect more devices than it allows.
How to Fix VPN Disconnection?
Random disconnections may be quite annoying, but I’ve made a simple troubleshooting guide to resolve the most frequent problems.
Check Your Connection Speed
Run a free online speed test to establish whether a slow internet connection is the cause of your VPN disconnection.
Likewise, reset your router or check your Wi-Fi settings to see if you’re not operating over a metered network, which may restrict your data connection.
If all else fails, speak with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to resolve the underlying connection speed issues.
Tweak Device Settings
Search your device’s settings for options interrupting connections and preventing unidentified software from operating. One of these is the power-saving mode that can shut down your VPN to conserve power.
Follow the steps below to turn off power saving on Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems.
- Go into Settings.
- Look for Battery Settings.
- Turn off the slider on both Power Saving mode and Ultra Power Saving mode.
For iOS
- Open Settings.
- Go to “Battery.”
- Turn off the slider on “Low Power Mode.”
For Windows
- Go into Settings and click “Power & Battery.”
- Navigate to “Screen and Sleep.”
- On the list, select “On battery power, put my device to sleep after,” and change the plan options to “Never.”
- Also, choose “Never” for “When plugged in, put my device to sleep after.”
Re-Install the VPN
Delete your VPN from your device and reinstall it to clear cache files, reset the app configurations, and fix other issues that keep your VPN from working properly.
Try a Different VPN Server
Try a server closer to you if you experience poor speeds and disconnection on a good VPN. This might speed up your connection because of the shorter distance traveled by your internet traffic.
Also, selecting a VPN with a large server network, like ExpressVPN, is important.
You won’t have trouble connecting to trustworthy locations close to you because it has servers worldwide.
Firmware Update for the Router
Usually, modern routers’ internal software (firmware) is updated automatically.
Your connection’s stability may increase as a result of these improvements.
But if yours doesn’t update automatically, log into your router dashboard and try forcing an update manually.
Modify the VPN Protocol
Changing protocols can improve the dependability of your connection and stop future disconnections. And although there are various protocols, including IPSec, IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP), and OpenVPN (UDP), I recommend WireGuard (or its equivalents) for the best connections.
Make a VPN Exception in the Firewall and Antivirus Software
When your firewall and antivirus software runs simultaneously as your VPN, it may occasionally cease functioning.
You can resolve this by manually adding your VPN to the safe apps list on your firewall or pausing your firewall and antivirus software. But remember to switch it back on when you’re done with the VPN to remain protected from harmful malware attacks.
Change Your VPN Port
Your VPN connection begins and ends at a port, which might become overloaded and lead to disconnections.
In this case, you can manually modify your port and reroute your traffic through the new port to increase the consistency of your connection. Although not many VPNs give you this option, Private Internet Access is a top-tier VPN that does.
However, changing ports might compromise your data by modifying registry files. So, only try this if you know what you’re doing.
Alternate Your DNS
To prevent your ISP from seeing your Domain Name System (DNS) requests, VPN services frequently run their DNS servers. These servers are in charge of changing a website’s domain name into an IP address.
So, if your VPN can employ custom DNS servers, try changing it to see if it improves your VPN connectivity.
However, I advise against modifying your DNS settings unless you know how they function since custom DNS settings might increase the danger of DNS data breaches.
What Are the Best VPNs for Reliable Connections?
To prevent VPN disconnection, you can rely on fast VPNs, which I will list below.
- ExpressVPN: Although pricey, ExpressVPN is trustworthy since it has several servers spread across several nations to prevent overcrowding and a reliable in-house protocol for safe and secure connections.
- CyberGhost: In addition to a less expensive subscription than ExpressVPN, CyberGhost offers dedicated servers designed for streaming, torrenting, gaming, or simply surfing/unblocking the web. These servers undergo frequent testing to guarantee speed, reliability, and compatibility with popular devices.
- PIA: Private Internet Access (PIA) offers the largest server network of any premium VPN provider, ensuring sufficient bandwidth to connect every user and reducing the occurrence of disconnections.
To Wrap Up
I hope you feel a little lighter now that you have read through this piece.
Your VPN disconnecting because of a slow internet connection, high-traffic server, and outdated VPN system can be tiring, and I’m glad to have provided you with possible solutions.
Also, remember to use reliable VPN services (like ExpressVPN) to minimize or eliminate the cases of VPN disconnection, even on the most restrictive networks.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab its current discount today.
