Windows VPN Not Working: How to Fix It?

Is Windows VPN not working properly on your device?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great way to protect your privacy when you’re using public Wi-Fi. But what do you do if your VPN stops working?

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to take to fix the problem.

What are the causes of Windows VPN not working?

There are a few potential causes of VPN problems on Windows:

• Your VPN software might not be compatible with your version of Windows.
• The settings on your VPN might not be configured correctly.
• Your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking the VPN connection.
• An overloaded VPN server might be causing the problem.
• If you are using the wrong protocol, your VPN might not work. You can check to see if this is the problem by changing the protocol in your VPN settings from PPTP to LTP or vice versa.

Fix Windows VPN Not Working

If you’re having problems with your VPN on Windows, there are a few things you can do to fix the issue.

Try Basic Troubleshooting

Before you start changing settings and tinkering with your VPN, it’s always a good idea to try some basic troubleshooting first.

• Restart your computer: The most basic troubleshooting is to restart the system and try connecting to the VPN again. If that doesn’t work, try disconnecting from the VPN and then reconnecting.
• Check Your Network Connection: The first thing you should do is check your network connection. Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet and that there are no problems with your network connection. If your Internet connection is having issues, you can try the following steps to troubleshoot it: resetting TCP/IP, flushing DNS, using Windows’ network troubleshooter, performing a Netsh Winsock reset, and so on.
• Ensure VPN Credentials are correct: The next step is to check your VPN credentials. Make sure that you are using the correct username and password for your VPN account. If you’re not sure, you can try resetting your password or contacting your VPN provider for help.
• Try a Different VPN Server: If you’re still having problems, it might be due to an overloaded VPN server. If this is the case, you can try connecting to a different VPN server.
• Update Your VPN Software: Another potential cause of VPN problems on Windows is outdated software. Make sure that you are using the latest version of your VPN software and that it’s compatible with your version of Windows.

Disable IPv6

Only a limited number of VPNs support IPv6. If you’re using an IPv6 connection, it’s possible that your VPN connection will be disrupted. Check to see if there are any issues with the configuration of your network and disable IPv6.

Here are the steps to disable IPv6:

1. Launch Windows 11 Settings.
2. Switch to the Network & internet on the left and select Advanced network settings from the right.
3. Scroll down and click on More network adapter options.
4. On the next window, look for your VPN network adapter, right-click on it, and select Properties.
5. Under the Networking tab, uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), click OK, and close the Wi-Fi Properties window.

Restart your system and check if Windows VPN is working.

Temporarily Disable the Windows Defender Firewall

If you’re still having problems, it’s possible that your firewall is blocking your VPN connection. You can try temporarily disabling the firewall to see if this is the case.

To disable the firewall on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Launch Windows Defender Firewall by searching for “firewall” in the Start Menu.
2. From the left pane, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both private and public networks and click OK.

Once you’ve disabled the firewall, try connecting to your VPN again. If it works, you can re-enable the firewall and add an exception for your VPN software.

Update WAN Miniports

If you’re using a VPN with Windows, it’s possible that your WAN miniports are causing problems. WAN miniports are drivers that allow your computer to connect to the internet. If they are not up-to-date, it can cause problems with your VPN connection.

To update your WAN miniports, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start Menu and type in Device Manager.
2. Open Device Manager and expand the Network adapters section.
3. Right-click on each of the WAN Miniport adapters and select Uninstall device.
4. Once they have been uninstalled, restart your computer.
5. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers for the WAN Miniport adapters.
6. After the drivers have been reinstalled, try connecting to your VPN again.

Reinstall Your VPN Software

If you’re still having problems, the next step is to uninstall and then reinstall your VPN software. This will ensure that you are using the latest version of the software and that all of the files are in the correct location.

To uninstall your VPN software, follow these steps:

1. Search for Control Panel on the Windows search box and click on its icon to launch.
2. Click on Uninstall a program under Control Panel.
3. Find your VPN software in the list of installed programs and select it.
4. Click on Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove the software.

Once the software has been uninstalled, restart your computer. After your computer has restarted, you can install the VPN software again. Make sure that you are using the latest version of the software and that it’s compatible with your version of Windows.

Summing Up

If your Windows VPN is not working, there are a number of potential causes. Check to see if your software is up-to-date and that it’s compatible with your version of Windows. If you’re still having problems, try disabling IPv6 or temporarily disabling the firewall. You can also try updating your WAN miniports or reinstalling your VPN software. If none of these solutions work, contact your VPN provider for further assistance.

We hope this article helped you fix the problem. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.