Last updated:

Important: If you are located in a country with a high level of internet censorship or using ExpressVPN manual configurations, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance. If you are able to browse the internet but not certain websites or services, follow this troubleshooting guide.

This guide will show you how to resolve internet browsing issues when connected to the ExpressVPN app. Examples of this issue include:

  • Failing to browse the internet immediately after connecting to the VPN
  • Failing to browse the internet after being connected to the VPN for a short period of time

The likely causes for these issues include:

  • Poor connectivity at the chosen VPN server location
  • Interference by internet service providers for certain VPN protocols
  • Interference from your antivirus or online security application’s outgoing packet transmission

Initial check

Before you proceed, check whether you have an active internet connection.

  1. Disconnect from ExpressVPN.
  2. On your web browser, access a website of your choice.

If you are able to access the website, the VPN connection issue is not caused by your internet connection. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to resolve the issue.

If you are unable to access the internet even when disconnected from ExpressVPN, there is likely an issue with your internet connection. Check whether your internet connection is active or has underlying issues. (If you are on Windows, try these steps to restoring your internet connection.)

Troubleshooting steps

Follow the troubleshooting steps below to resolve the connection issue. After each step, check if the issue is fixed. If the issue is fixed, you can skip the rest of the steps.

  1. Download the latest version of ExpressVPN
  2. Connect to a different VPN server location
  3. Change your VPN protocol
  4. Add ExpressVPN as an exception to your antivirus or online security application
  5. Disable your proxy settings
  6. Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team

1. Download the latest version of ExpressVPN

Check whether you are using the latest version of the ExpressVPN app. If not, download the latest app version.

Set up your ExpressVPN app:

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

Back to top

2. Connect to a different VPN server location

Connect to a different VPN server location on the Recommended server location list.

Connect to a different server location for the…

If you are able to browse the internet again after connecting to a different VPN server location, there may be a temporary issue with the VPN server location you were previously trying to connect to. Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team about the issue and use other VPN server locations in the meantime.

Back to top

3. Change your VPN protocol

Important: If Threat Manager (available within the ExpressVPN apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux) is enabled, you will need to turn it off in the app settings before changing your VPN protocols. Threat Manager is disabled by default. 

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server.

For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option, which is selected by default.

If you are unable to connect to ExpressVPN with the Automatic protocol, try the other protocols in the following order (if available):

  1. Lightway – TCP
  2. Lightway – UDP
  3. OpenVPN – TCP
  4. OpenVPN – UDP
  5. IKEv2

How to change the protocol for the…

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

Back to top

4. Add ExpressVPN as an exception to your antivirus or online security application

If you use the ExpressVPN app while an antivirus or online security application is running, your antivirus or online security application may block the VPN connection.

To test whether your antivirus or online security application is blocking your VPN connection:

  1. Disable the antivirus or online security application on your device. (For specific instructions, contact your antivirus or online security application provider.)
  2. On your ExpressVPN app, connect to any VPN server location.

If you are able to connect to the VPN while your antivirus or online security application is disabled, your antivirus or online security application is blocking your VPN connection.

To resolve this, add ExpressVPN as an exception to your application. For other applications, you may need to:

  • Change the security level from High to Medium
  • Grant an exception to UDP ports 1194 to 1204
  • Set it to Trust ExpressVPN

Different antivirus or online security products have different steps for adding applications as exceptions. For specific instructions, contact your antivirus or online security application provider.

After adding ExpressVPN as an exception to your antivirus or online security application,

  1. Restart the ExpressVPN app.
  2. Connect to a server location…

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

Back to top

5. Disable your proxy setting

A web browser’s proxy settings may block internet access when a VPN connection is detected. Disabling proxies may resolve these issues.

How to disable your proxy for…

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

Back to top

6. Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team

If you have tried all the steps above but are still unable to browse the internet, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

You can also submit your diagnostic information, which may reveal the cause of your connection issue, through the ExpressVPN app. The ExpressVPN Support Team will contact you after receiving your information.

  1. Click Menu icon. > Help & Support > Diagnostic Information.
  2. Click Contact Support.
  3. In the text box, provide information on the issue you are having.
  4. Check the box next to Include details about recent connection errors or Include diagnostic information.
  5. Click Send to Support.
  6. Wait for a response from the ExpressVPN Support Team via email.

  1. Tap Help > Email us.
  2. In the text box, provide information on the issue you are having.
  3. Toggle Include diagnostic information on.
  4. Tap Send icon.
  5. Wait for a response from the ExpressVPN Support Team via email.

  1. Tap Help > Email us.
  2. In the text box, provide information on the issue you are having.
  3. Toggle Include diagnostic information on.
  4. Tap Submit.
  5. Wait for a response from the ExpressVPN Support Team via email.

  1. In Terminal, run the following command: expressvpn diagnostic
  2. Copy the diagnostic information.
  3. Paste the information in the ExpressVPN Support Chat.

  1. Sign in to your router running ExpressVPN.
  2. Select Help & Support > Diagnostic Information.
  3. Select Download All Logs.
  4. Send the diagnostic information in the ExpressVPN Support Chat.

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

Back to top

Was this article helpful?

We're sorry to hear that. Let us know how we can improve.

What device do you need help with?

Examples: Android, Windows, Linksys router

A member of our Support Team will follow up on your issue.