VPN keeps disconnecting: 8 reasons and fixes

There are many reasons why your VPN keeps disconnecting and then reconnecting seemingly for no reason. And unfortunately, it can be rather confusing to figure out what exactly is causing the disconnects.

The reasons why your VPN isn’t working as expected can vary from your VPN software issues, like overcrowded servers or latency issues, to network problems, or be due to your device settings.

In this article, we have selected the most common issues and solutions to prevent your VPN from disconnecting. So read on and figure out how to fix your connections to enjoy browsing online anonymously and securely.

Why your VPN keeps disconnecting?

One of the most common reasons for your VPN to keep disconnecting is reaching the device limit, which could be solved easily by adding your VPN to the router or purchasing a subscription with unlimited simultaneous connections.

However, this is one of the most simplistic reasons for unstable VPN connections. In the table below, you’ll find the full list of problems and the solutions to them, to better your experience using a VPN.

Reasons why your VPN keeps disconnecting

The reasons why your VPN keeps disconnecting at random can range from the simplest of you joining an overcrowded server to more difficult ones as device issues.

Continue reading this article to find the most common and challenging reasons for your VPN disconnecting and reconnecting at random.

1. Reaching device limit

One of the most common causes of why your VPN connection keeps disconnecting is that you possibly have reached the device limit allowed by your VPN provider. Most commonly, you get 5-10 simultaneous connections per subscription. If you exceed this number, then your VPN may start randomly disconnecting.

2. Network connection issues

Your VPN might disconnect due to issues with other components of your internet traffic. Whether it’s weak wifi, mobile data signal, or router issues, this can cause regular disconnects.

When you have a weak and unstable internet connection, the VPN service will continuously try to reconnect to a server, leading to constant disconnection issues.

3. Other software interference

Some other software on your device can also cause constant VPN disconnects. Often, the antivirus or the firewall installed on the same device as the VPN will cause the issues.

Firewalls can be set up to block IP ranges and be configured to block all the ports your VPN might use or terminate tunneling protocols like OpenVPN or IPsec. Which leads to unstable connections and constant disconnects.

4. High connection latency

Slow connection speeds is often the reason for VPN disconnecting. Every ten seconds, a message is sent from your device to the VPN server to maintain a stable and continuous connection. There is a limit of 120 seconds for the server to respond, and if it exceeds it, the VPN tunnel closes, and your client disconnects, which means that the connection to your VPN is dropped.

5. VPN connection blocked by ISP

If you’re in a country with strict laws and regulations on VPN usage or government surveillance, like China or Iraq, you can often encounter VPN disconnects.

Your ISP (internet service provider) can detect you using a VPN and block your connection. Unless you have a VPN with an obfuscation feature, like our top-rated NordVPN, which makes your VPN connection seem like regular HTTP traffic, your VPN tunnel can be recognized.

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6. Overloaded VPN servers

Your VPN may repeatedly disconnect due to the overcrowded servers. If you’re using a VPN with a smaller network fleet, there’s a higher chance of picking an overcrowded server with other users. Consequently, that would lead to your VPN connection dropping.

On the other hand, if you have a VPN subscription that provides a large server fleet, for example, NordVPN, that offers more than 6400 servers in 111 countries, this certainly wouldn’t be the reason for constant disconnections.

7. Device’s Power settings

Your VPN processes usually run in the background while browsing or streaming. However, if your device is set to the power saving mode or, by default, prioritizes saving battery life, then it can interfere with your VPN use. In turn, it will close the VPN application, and you’ll have to deal with the issue of your VPN disconnecting.

8. VPN software issues

Your VPN connection can also crash because your VPN software is out of date. If the app isn’t set to update automatically, then you’re the one that has to keep up with the newest updates constantly.

If you missed an update, you might be using the old software, that may lead to constant drops in your VPN connection.

How to fix disconnecting VPN

There are plenty of ways to fix the issue of your VPN disconnecting. Some of them are as easy as simply updating your VPN app or changing your VPN provider to a more reliable one, like NordVPN.

However, in some cases, you’ll need to take some extra steps to fix your connection issues. We have selected some of the most common solutions for you.

1. Changing VPN settings

There is a chance that by changing your VPN configurations, you might fix some of the connection issues you are facing:

• Change VPN tunneling protocol. If your VPN allows choosing a protocol automatically, select this option. Otherwise, we recommend picking reliable WireGuard or OpenVPN protocols. For mobile devices, the best options would be Wireguard and IKEv2 because they remain stable while switching between networks (wifi and mobile data).
• Change the VPN server. The server you currently use might have some issues or be overcrowded, so switching a server is the simplest solution. The closer the server is to your actual location, the better speed and connectivity you’ll have.
• Enable obfuscation feature. This solution is helpful in countries with internet or VPN restrictions to prevent ISP from blocking your connection.
• Change DNS settings. Most VPNs provide their own DNS servers, but some have the option of custom DNS. Changing it has some chances to impact your connection positively.
• Disable the Trusted Network function. Some VPN providers have a “Trusted Network” feature that disconnects your VPN connection when using a network that is marked as safe.
• Disable the Multi-Hop feature. This advanced feature tunnels your traffic through two servers, and although it provides more robust security and privacy, it also loses some speed and reliability of the connection.
• Change the encryption level. This might not be possible with all the VPN providers, but downgrading the encryption, for example, from AES-256 to AES-128, improves speed and can help prevent issues with your connectivity.
• Update your VPN app. Check when was the last time your VPN software was updated, and make sure that you have the newest version installed.
• Contact VPN customer support. If nothing helps, customer support should provide a fixable solution.

2. Fixing network problems

The continuous VPN disconnection can be caused by issues with your network. Here are a few ways to fix whatever causes the problem with your internet connection:

• Restart your router. This can improve your internet connection. Just turn it off for a few minutes and then turn it on again.
• Update your router’s firmware. Although most modern routers update their software automatically, some might need to be updated manually.
• Change the port. Changing your device's port to connect to the internet can improve connection stability. Keep in mind that not all VPN providers let you do this.
• Switch to another network. If you use VPN on your mobile device, try switching between wifi and mobile data. Or if you're using a laptop, try switching between wifi and ethernet cable if you can. If connecting to another network helps, contact your ISP for help with the original network issues.
• Check your internet speed. You can use the Ookla speed testing tool to check your connection speeds. If your internet speed is much lower than expected, contact your ISP to check for any issues with your internet connection.

3. Fixing device issues

Lastly, the VPN connection issues may not be due to the VPN itself or your network. Your device may be causing issues and disconnecting your VPN connection. Here’s how to fix that:

• Fix the firewall or antivirus from blocking your VPN. Check your firewall logs to determine if it’s not blocking your VPN connection, and add your VPN to the list of permitted software if needed.
• Disable battery saving mode. It can disrupt your VPN connection, which this mode sees as not actively used as it is usually running in the background. You can find how to disable the battery saver in your device’s settings.
• Remove old VPN apps. If you have multiple VPN apps installed on your device, they can conflict with each other and impact your VPN connection.
• Update your network drivers. VPNs use network drivers called TAP adapters, which enable server connections. If the TAP adapter is outdated, this can cause connection problems. You can update the TAP driver by going to Device Manager > Network adapter, right-clicking on the TAP driver, and selecting “Update Driver”.
• Update your device’s OS. You should make sure that your operating system is updated frequently. This provides a smoother experience with system processes, including a VPN connection.
• Install a VPN on your router. This option is a last resort if nothing helps fix issues related to your device. Installing VPN on the router ensures that VPN protection is provided to all your devices connected to a router.

VPN keeps disconnecting: most common issues by device

The reasons why your VPN keeps disconnecting may vary depending on what device you use it on. So, in the previous part, we concentrated on general solutions to fix the issue with the unstable VPN connections; here, we will break it down based on the device.

• VPN disconnecting on Windows 10
• VPN disconnecting on iPhone
• VPN disconnecting on Android
• VPN disconnecting on remote desktop

What to do if VPN keeps disconnecting on Windows 10

Most of the fixes provided above should work on Windows devices. Some additional solutions provided by Microsoft:

1. Run the Internet Connection Troubleshooter. Click on Start Button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters. From the list, select Internet Connection & Network adapter > Run the troubleshooter.
2. Reset TCP IP. Click the Start button and type CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. At the command prompt, type or copy-paste this command “netsh int ip reset” and press Enter. Restart your computer.
3. Check DNS settings. Click on Search and type CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. At the command prompt, type or copy-paste this command “ipconfig/flushdns” and press Enter.
4. Change the DNS and check if webpages load. Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK. Find and right-click on the connection that you are using and click on Properties. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click on Use the following DNS server addresses and enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

Why does my iPhone keep disconnecting from VPN: what to do?

Here you’ll find additional solutions to your VPN disconnecting on your iPhone, in case the ones mentioned before didn’t solve the problem:

1. Update your OS. Back up your device using iCloud or your computer. Go to Settings > General, then click on Software Update. Tap Install Now.
2. Reset Network settings. Go to Settings > General. Click on Transfer or Reset iPhone, then click on Reset. Select Reset Network Settings and confirm. Restart your device to refresh your internet connection.
3. Clear VPN’s cache. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Find your VPN app and select it. Click Offload App and confirm.
4. Disable Power Saving mode. Go to Settings > Battery. Turn off Low Power Mode. Go back to Settings and select General. Select Background App Refresh and set it to wifi & Mobile Data.

VPN keeps disconnecting on Android: why and what to do?

If your VPN keeps disconnecting on your Android device, here you’ll find additional solutions to fix the connection issue:

1. Reset Network settings. Go to Settings > Systems. Click on Reset Options; if it is not shown, then select Advanced instead. Select Reset wifi, mobile, and Bluetooth, and click Reset Settings. Restart your device.
2. Disable Power Saving. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications. Select Special app access and click on Battery optimization. Select All Apps, tap on your VPN app, select Not Optimized, and then click Done.
3. Clear the VPN software’s cache. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. Find your VPN and select it. Click Storage & cache > Clear Cache. Select Clear Storage or Clear Data. Test your VPN.

Remote desktop keeps disconnecting over VPN

You might experience your VPN disconnecting whenever you’re connecting through a remote desktop. Check these solutions to improve your connection:

1. Disable your VPN’s default gateway. Go to Control Panel > Network & internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click on your VPN connection and select Properties. Click on the Networking tab, then on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click Properties. Click Advanced and uncheck “Use the default gateway” on the remote network. Repeat the same with the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
2. Check the network connectivity. If the network is unstable, then RDP Connection can frequently drop and keep disconnecting over VPN. Follow these steps: open Settings > Network & internet. You can see the status of your network connection and determine whether your network is accessible.
3. Create an RDP Connection without VPN. You can check if the problem comes from VPN or RDP: go to Settings > Network & internet. Select VPN and then your VPN connection, and click Remove. Search Remote Desktop Connection in the search bar and open it. Enter the IP address and the username, and select Connect.
4. Disable UDP. Press the Windows icon key + R; type “gpedit.msc” in the Run box, and click OK. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client > Turn Off UDP On Client. Double-click on Turn Off UDP Client, tick Enabled, and then click OK.

Conclusion

If your VPN keeps disconnecting and reconnecting for no apparent reason, there are many ways to go about it. First, you’ll need to identify the reason for connection interruptions, ranging from overcrowded servers to issues with the VPN software or even your device. Then you’ll have to use one of our solutions to fix the unstable connections.

If the issue lies in your VPN, then you’ll have to tinker with the settings of your VPN provider or even upgrade to a more reliable VPN; our top picks to get the best browsing experiences without disconnects are NordVPN and Surfshark.

Otherwise, you’ll have to fix your network settings or device configuration, to obtain stable and reliable VPN connections to browse safely and anonymously online.

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