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This guide shows you how to resolve connection issues or error messages that are specific to the ExpressVPN Android app. For general connection issues, refer to other troubleshooting guides.

Which connection issue or error message are you encountering?

Sudden disconnections from the VPN
“Opening tun interface failed badly. Error: Cannot create interface”
“Sorry, your device is missing a component called the “TUN driver”.”
“Failed to add fwmark rule (Device or resource busy)”
“HTTP proxy support only works for TCP based connections”
“ERROR: Cannot open TUN”
Cannot connect after upgrading Android OS

Sudden disconnections from the VPN

Learn the different causes for sudden disconnections from the VPN and the steps for resolving them below.

Problem 1. Other VPN apps or profiles are installed on your device

Other VPN apps or profiles installed on your Android device can interfere with your connection to ExpressVPN. For ExpressVPN to function properly, it is advisable to remove other VPN apps or profiles.

To remove a VPN profile, follow these steps specific to your Android device:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi & internet > VPN. (You can also search for “VPN” in your system settings.)
  2. Tap Settings icon. next to each non-ExpressVPN VPN app.
  3. Tap Forget VPN.

  1. Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > VPN. (You can also search for “VPN” in your system settings.)
  2. Tap Settings icon. next to each non-ExpressVPN VPN app.
  3. Tap Delete VPN profile.

Problem 2. Battery optimization is enabled

Battery optimization can cause VPN to disconnect on your device. This is known to happen tofor Huawei and Samsung devices.

Check if battery optimization is enabled on your device. If so, disable it by following the steps specific to your Android device.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications.
  2. Tap Advanced > Special app access.
  3. Tap Battery optimization, then tap All apps.
  4. Tap ExpressVPN.
  5. Tap Don’t optimize > Done.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps.
  2. Tap Vertical ellipsis. in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap Special access > Optimize battery usage.
  4. Tap All apps.
  5. Tap ExpressVPN.
  6. Tap Don’t optimize > Done.

Problem 3. The VPN was not disconnected properly

To disconnect from ExpressVPN properly:

  1. Open the ExpressVPN Android app.
  2. Tap On button. in the app.

There are also other ways to disconnect the VPN:

  • Tap Disconnect ExpressVPN from the Android quick tiles.
  • Tap Disconnect in the ExpressVPN app notification. (If you are on a Samsung device, do not disconnect from the Android system notifications below the ExpressVPN app notification.)
  • Tap on the ExpressVPN widget while the app is connected.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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“Opening tun interface failed badly. Error: Cannot create interface”

You may get the following error when trying to connect to the VPN:

Opening tun interface failed badly. Error: Cannot create interface
On some custom ICS images the permission on /dev/tun might be wrong, or the tun module might be missing completely. For CM9 images try the fix ownership option under general settings.

or:

Sorry, your device is missing a component called the "TUN driver". Without this, ExpressVPN likely will not be able to connect successfully. Please tap "Learn More" below for our latest information on how to fix this problem.

To resolve this error:

  • (Recommended) Connect to ExpressVPN via the manual configuration setup.
  • Install a compatible TUN driver on your device. (This only applies to rooted devices.)
  • Update your Android to the latest version.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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“Failed to add fwmark rule (Device or resource busy)”

You may get the following error when trying to connect:

Opening tun interface failed badly.
Error: command '11192 interface fwmark rule add tun0' failed with '400 11192 Failed to add fwmark rule (Device or resource busy)'
This error message usually occurs when the needed interface is not responding.

To resolve this error, restart your device and connect to a different ExpressVPN server location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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“HTTP proxy support only works for TCP based connections”

You may get the following error when trying to connect:

HTTP proxy support only works for TCP based connections
MGMT:Got unrecognized line from management:ERROR: proxy command failed
This error message usually occurs if your network has proxy setup or UDP ports are blocked on your network.

To resolve this error, change your VPN protocol from UDP to TCP.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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“ERROR: Cannot open TUN”

To resolve this error, uninstall and reinstall ExpressVPN on your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Cannot connect after upgrading Android OS

To resolve this error:

  1. Restart your device.
  2. Connect to any VPN server location.
  3. When prompted by the “Connection Request” dialog box, tap OK.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Further issues?

If the same issue persists, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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