You may experience an intermittent disconnect when using your VPN, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to access something important or are in the middle of an important conversation online. When that happens, your first instinct might be to get rid of the VPN altogether, but it could also be caused by something as simple as bad bandwidth from your internet provider.
This article will look at some possible reasons why your VPN might be disconnecting and how you can avoid these problems in the future.
- Device Memory
- Server Overload
- Local Network
- Device Issue
- Firewall
- Browser Cache
- Antivirus
1. The device memory may be full
If your device memory is full, that can cause your phone to slow down and disconnect from your VPN. The solution to fix it is simple; clear up some space on your device’s storage by deleting unused apps and files. Deleting unwanted apps and files frees up space on your phone and helps improve performance while using other apps. To improve performance further, you can also delete large or unnecessary files stored in a cloud service or online storage apps such as Google Drive or Dropbox. You should use an SD card to store these large files instead if you have one installed on your device.
2. The VPN server may be overloaded
Servers may be temporarily overloaded due to a high amount of clients trying to connect at once. Sometimes it’s caused by technical problems and maintenance, but it’s because too many people are trying to access servers at once. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Some legitimate and some malicious and might explain VPN disconnecting. If you notice that a lot of other users have had connection issues with your server, in particular, you might have reason to believe that there is something wrong with it. But if you don’t see any similar reports on social media or forums, it might need to be upgraded or given more bandwidth. Check-in with your provider before giving up on your VPN service altogether.
3. The local Wi-Fi network isn’t working properly
There are a lot of reasons that your local Wi-Fi network could be malfunctioning, such as interference or any issues with local routers. However, one of the most common culprits is a software conflict between Windows and any other device on your network. To test if Windows’s causing interference with your VPN, try disabling your antivirus software. If there’s no change in connection status after doing so, it may be time to re-evaluate things; many customers have reported that switching VPN providers resolved their connectivity problems. Alternatively, you can also make sure that there aren’t any problematic Windows services running in the background.
4. There may be an issue with the ISP/Router/Modem
If you’re using a local ISP (Internet Service Provider) or a non-encrypted modem, you may want to consider upgrading. This is because it is extremely easy for an attacker to gain access to your network through these devices and intercept data when using public Wi-Fi. If your ISP uses PPPoE encryption, you can use programs like Wireshark to monitor what data they are transferring over Wi-Fi; however, if not, then it would be better off connecting via Ethernet or purchasing a new router/modem. You can also upgrade from a basic Wi-Fi plan to one that utilizes more channels, though most routers and modems will already have multiple antennas built into them.
Related: Most secured Wired Router
5. The firewall may be blocking access to the VPN
If you’re connecting to a corporate network or public Wi-Fi, one of your organization’s security policies may be blocking traffic over certain ports. If so, you’ll need to inform your IT department and request access to your corporate resources. You may also want to notify them that you’ll be using a VPN to provide additional security. This is likely necessary if your company uses any kind of web filtering software. And while they’re at it, they might want to whitelist all traffic from your IP address because connecting via a VPN may interfere with telecommuting tools like Microsoft Lync.
6. Browser cache isn’t clean
What if you run a VPN and it frequently disconnects, but it’s not your internet connection? A quick way to rule out your internet connection is to clear your browser cache. Since browsers like Chrome store bits of data in their cache when you visit certain websites, even after you’ve left them, one solution for frequent VPN disconnections could be as simple as clearing your browser’s cookies or history. So next time you think something might be wrong with your VPN connection, try clearing your browser history and caches first.
7. Your antivirus software could be interfering with your connection
Of course, there’s no real way to stop your VPN from disconnecting. There are a few things you can do to mitigate frequent disconnections, though. First and foremost, run a speed test: if you’re paying for high-speed internet, but your upload and download speeds aren’t maxed out or are close to it when using your VPN, you might have an issue with signal strength or interference. You could also try switching locations; if you connect to a server in another country, that will likely be far enough away to minimize any interference. If neither of these options work, contact your VPN provider; they should be able to help troubleshoot any connection issues.
Conclusion: Why is your VPN Always Disconnecting?
Finding a highly rated and reviewed VPN will greatly reduce your chances of disconnection. But don’t fret; we know how frustrating it can be when your VPN disconnects right in the middle of your favorite episode. The best part about buying a top-notch VPN like IPVanish is that they guarantee their connections. So if you do ever run into an issue where you feel your VPN disconnecting frequently, contact them and let them know. They’ll investigate and likely give you a full refund so that you can try out another VPN provider until you find one that works for you.