How to disable VPN on any device

VPNs provide robust security for your device and data. Additionally, it’s a perfect tool to enhance your browsing experience by bypassing different geo-restrictions placed upon sites, streaming platforms, and content libraries.

However, there are serious cases where you must disable your VPN, whether it’s illegal to use a tool to change your IP address or you need to troubleshoot your connection. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to turn off a VPN on your device.

In this article, we have prepared guides for you for different devices on how to disable your VPN via device settings successfully.

How to disable a VPN in 3 steps

1. Open your device settings.
2. Find Network Settings > VPN.
3. Click Disconnect, and now your VPN is disabled.

Why would you want to disable VPN?

Even though we don’t recommend disabling your VPN for security purposes, there are certain cases where you might need to do so. Here are some reasons you would want to disable your VPN:

• VPNs are illegal. If you visit a country where VPN use is illegal (like China, North Korea, or Iraq), it’s best not to violate the law and abide by the rules.
• Troubleshooting your internet connection. A VPN can provide more of a disservice if you need to troubleshoot your connection to the internet, so it’s best to disable the connection beforehand.
• Accessing Local Area Networks (LAN). If you’re connected to a VPN, you might not be able to connect to LAN since it will make you appear as connecting from a foreign location.
• Accessing local content and sites. Some sites, like your bank, are better to visit without a VPN. Additionally, if you prefer to see content curated for your location, there is no need for a VPN connection.
• Playing online games. Some VPNs can harm your gaming experience, including increasing latency and lagging.

What happens when you turn your VPN off?

While disabling your VPN on certain occasions might seem appealing, you should measure the threats you’re exposed to when your data is no longer encrypted. Here are some of the main pointers to consider:

• Unprotected data. Without VPN encryption, your data is completely exposed to bad actors, trackers, and other online threats. That can lead to data leaks, hacks, DDoS, and other targeted attacks.
• Data tracking. With your data being exposed, your ISP or government can log all your online activity.
• Malware threats. A VPN is a great tool to prevent malware, like malicious ads, links, sites, or viruses, from targeting your information, infecting your device, and causing long-term issues.
• Geo-restrictions. With a reliable VPN, you can change your location and, in turn, bypass any geo-restrictions placed on different platforms or content libraries. If you disable your VPN, you’ll only have access to content provided for your location.
• Content censorship. In some countries, there are heavy censorship rules in place that prevent certain content or sites from being accessed by people. With a VPN, you could easily bypass these restrictions safely; however, with your VPN disabled, you won’t be able to access those pages.

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When you should really turn off your VPN

However few and far-between instances it is, there are cases when you must turn off your VPN. Here are some of the most common ones:

• You’re in a country where VPNs are illegal. It’s better to be safe than sorry when traveling, especially to countries with strict rules against VPN use.
• You experience major latency. While all VPNs will slow your connection speed down, some will drop your speeds so much that browsing becomes too laggy. Alternatively, you could simply invest in a better and speedier VPN provider.
• Troubleshooting or setting up the internet. Whenever you need to troubleshoot issues with your network or if you’re setting up your internet connection for the very first time on that device, you need to disable your VPN. Otherwise, it will mess up your connection settings.

Disabling a VPN via settings on any device

The whole ordeal of disabling your VPN is pretty simple. However, some steps may vary depending on the device you need to disable the VPN on.

Therefore, we have prepared simple and easy-to-follow guides on how to disable a VPN via your device settings successfully:

• Disable VPN on Windows
• Disable VPN on Mac
• Disable VPN on Android
• Disable VPN on iPhone and iPad
• Disable VPN on Chromebook
• Disable VPN on a router

How to disable VPN on Windows?

Here are the quick steps to disable your VPN on Windows computers:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN.
2. Locate a VPN connection you want to disable.
3. Click Disconnect.

How to disable VPN on Mac?

If you seek to disable VPN on your macOS device, follow these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
2. Select a VPN connection you want to disable.
3. Click Disconnect.

How to disable VPN on Android?

Below are the quick and simple steps to disable a VPN on Android devices:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Depending on your device model, look for Network & Internet, or Connections & Sharing, or something similar, then select VPN.
3. Find a VPN you want to disable.
4. Toggle it off.

How to disable VPN on iPhone and iPad?

There are two ways to disable VPN on your iOS devices. Here’s the first:

1. Go to Settings > VPN.
2. Find the VPN that you want to disable and select it.
3. Toggle off to Not connected.

Alternatively, try these steps instead:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
2. Click on VPN.
3. Find the VPN that you want to disable and select it.
4. Toggle off to Not connected.

How to disable VPN on Chromebook?

To disable a VPN on your Chromebook, follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Go to Settings > Network.
2. Select the VPN you want to disable and click Disconnect.

How to disable VPN on a router?

Disabling your VPN on a router may differ based on your router. However, these steps should help you navigate the process:

1. Log into your router’s admin panel.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Find your VPN connection; usually, it’s somewhere in the Security or Advanced sections.
4. Switch it off.

Is it safe to disable a VPN? Checklist

Before you commit to disabling your VPN, make sure to consider these points:

• Your real IP address will be public
• Your data security will be compromised
• Malware threats may target your data and device
• ISP throttling possibilities
• Data surveillance
• No possibility of bypassing geo-restrictions

Why should you keep your VPN on?

There is a broad list of reasons why you should keep your VPN on whenever browsing online. From security to entertainment, here are the main points to staying connected to a VPN:

• Protecting your data when connected to public wifi. Public wifi is available practically anywhere and is a very easy way to stay online for free. However, public connections are often unsafe, and the way online threats target you to steal your data or hack you.
• Browse anonymously. A robust VPN encrypts your information and allows you to browse anonymously. So you can’t be targeted with specific ads or sites, or have your activity surveyed and logged. Additionally, it prevents the sites from collecting your data.
• Bypass geo-restrictions. Plenty of sites and content platforms work based on the copyright system, meaning some content or platforms are geo-restricted. A VPN is perfect for changing your connection location and bypassing content restrictions.
• Avoid censorship. If you reside in a country where the government limits access to information or specific sites, a VPN is the best solution. With a VPN, you can safely browse blocked sites without surveillance.
• Avoid ISP throttling. Your internet service provider (ISP) can track your activity online. They will begin throttling your speeds if they note that you’ve been using too much bandwidth or your activity appears suspicious. With a VPN, you encrypt your activity to appear regular and avoid speed latency.
• Avoid tracking and malicious ads. A VPN helps you avoid having your online activity tracked and logged. Additionally, premium VPNs, like NordVPN, come with features that block malicious ads, sites, and other online threats.
• Save money. Some online shopping prices are geographically based, so by changing your location with a VPN, you can get better deals and sales options.

Stay safe with NordVPN

NordVPN provides excellent security features, including next-gen encryption, a no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers. Additionally, it provides blazing-fast connection speeds, vast server lists, and can bypass geo-restrictions.

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• Robust security
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Conclusion

There can be many reasons why you might need to disable your VPN, for example, traveling to countries where VPNs are illegal, performance issues, or setting up your internet connection. No matter your reasons, we don’t recommend disabling your VPN for long periods.

A robust VPN is the perfect tool to secure your data and device online from threats and surveillance. More so, VPN enhances your browsing experience. With a streaming VPN, you can access all popular streaming services and unlimited content libraries. Additionally, this security tool helps you stay anonymous online and bypass various content restrictions.

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