Last Updated on February 16, 2022 by Markeyus Franks
VPNS disconnect because of connection issues between the source and server. Either there is a connection, software, or hardware problem occurring between the two. Down below we visit the most common issues causing connection problems with VPNs.
While this may happen and it can be a hassle when it does, it isn’t the end of the world. There are actually a couple of solutions to this, and we will get into them in the next section.
8 Ways To Fix An Intermittent VPN Connection
Increase Your Internet Speed
The most common reason you can get disconnected from your VPN is because of slow internet. Don’t worry, we all know the feeling of a frustratingly slow or inconsistent internet connection. VPNs are notoriously known for slowing down your internet speed, so if your speed is already struggling then it will be that much worse. Not only does this make browsing a tough task, but it also means you can’t rely on a VPN to keep you safe. To avoid this, you can try increasing your internet speed by either upgrading your services or changing service providers. It usually does the trick.
Open Necessary Ports on Your Router
Opening ports on your router can also result in a more stable VPN connection. But understand that this does come with some risks, especially if not done right. To open ports on your router, simply open your browser and type in your IP address. Next, log-in to the page (the default username and password is usually “admin”), click on forwarding->virtual servers, then click the “add new” button. From there you can type the port you want to open, change the status to “enabled”, then save the settings.
Choose A Closer Server Location
Your device or connection may be having a hard time sending and receiving data that far out into the world. This happens a lot, especially when you choose a VPN server that’s very far from your actual location. To fix this, you can simply fire up the VPN program and select a closer server.
Change DNS Settings To Google
Changing your DNS can result in better data transfer and result in a more stable connection. To do this, simply open the control panel, click on Network and Internet -> Network And Sharing Center -> Change Adapter Settings. From there, right-click on the connection you want to configure and select the Networking tab. Next, go to the “This connection uses the following items”. Next, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (or version 6), click Properties -> Advanced -> DNS. From there you can change the DNS to the Google DNS servers which you can find online.
Make Sure VPN Firmware Is Up To Date
Sometimes, the program that is being used to establish your VPN is out of date which causes a faulty connection. Check online to see if your version is up to date and if it isn’t, update it to the latest version.
Check For VPN Outages
Just like power outages, VPN outages can result in people all of a sudden losing their connection. These outages can sometimes happen randomly, so make sure to check on your own before doing unnecessary troubleshooting steps.
Uninstall The VPN App Then Reinstall
Sometimes, the cache can clog up the workflow of your computer, especially with VPN’s. That’s why sometimes all you need is a proper restart of your computer to get things working again. You can take things a step further if your VPN has been inconsistent and been constantly disconnecting. By reinstalling your VPN App , you are clearing all the cache and unnecessary data that’s slowing things down for you.
Purchase A New VPN
While there are a lot of fixes one can do to establish a better VPN connection, sometimes, it’s not your fault at all, it’s just the VPN program you’re using. Let’s face it, some programs are better than others. Some work better in certain places but fall short in others. That’s why there are so many VPN services to choose from. If you think it’s your VPN program that’s the problem, it might be time to switch VPN programs. Don’t worry, there are a lot of great ones out there to choose from! Here’s a good list of logless VPNS
Conclusion
So there you have it, the reason why your VPN keeps disconnecting, and a couple of things you can do to fix it. With all the information laid out for you, the only thing left to do is figure out which solution works best for you.
FAQ
Should I leave my VPN on all the time?
Typically people use VPNs for absolute privacy, therefore if you want to have uniterrupted privacy while you surf the internet, we recommend you keep your VPN on at all times.
What Routers work best for a VPN
The top VPN routers are as follows:
- Netgear R6400 DD-WRT
- Linksys Wrt3200ACM
- Asus AC5300 DD-WRT