How to fix VPN connection errors on iPhone?

VPN connection issues on iPhone can be frustrating, especially when you rely on a VPN for privacy, streaming, or secure browsing. Problems like frequent disconnects, failed connections, slow speeds, or apps not loading properly are fairly common and can happen for many reasons, from incorrect VPN settings to network conflicts or outdated software.

In this guide, I explain how to fix VPN connection errors on iPhone step by step. You’ll learn the most common causes behind these issues and the best ways to troubleshoot them, whether you’re using a free or premium VPN service.

VPN not working on iPhone (solutions)

The easiest way to check whether your iPhone is connected to a VPN is to check your IP address. The problem persists if you see your original IP, even though your VPN app shows a successful connection. Other times, the VPN will not connect at all and display error messages, like VPN error 800.

Here's a list of problems that can prevent an iPhone VPN from connecting, with easy-to-follow solutions. Let's start with the simplest.

Check your internet connection

VPN uses an existing internet connection to reach a chosen VPN server. It can’t do so if your internet access keeps disconnecting or dropping to extremely low speeds.

To solve this, turn off your VPN and try browsing the web without it. If the websites aren't loading or are loading at a very low speed, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or switch to cellular mobile data. Bad internet connection is at fault if the browsing quality increases after changing networks. Choose a network that's fast and stable and reconnect to the VPN server.

Check your VPN’s server status

To maintain the best performance quality, VPN servers experience occasional downtime due to maintenance. Other times, they might not work due to technical issues or even natural disasters. This is the most likely case if you see these VPN errors: 800, 619, 868, 720, or a Peer Not Responding message.

You can verify the server status by checking the VPN provider's website or contacting its customer support. Or you can simply connect to a different VPN server and try browsing the internet again – chances are, it will fix the problem immediately.

However, it's best to subscribe to a VPN service with a large server network, like NordVPN with its 9,500+ worldwide servers. This way, you can always find a working alternative in the same or a different region.

Check the VPN server congestion

A VPN server can crash if too many users connect to it simultaneously. This is especially common for free iPhone VPNs that have a small number of servers shared between many users.

Some VPN service providers display server congestion statistics in their apps. Choose the least congested server and connect to it for the best performance. Another solution is using an automatic connection to the fastest and least overburdened server.

Change the VPN protocol

Specific network settings or firewall configurations can block ports used by different VPN protocols. Simultaneously, some VPN protocols, like WireGuard, are more stable and secure. Meanwhile, outdated protocols, like PPTP, can cause all kinds of connection errors.

To fix this, go to your VPN app settings and switch to a different protocol. For example, Surfshark has three options: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Experiment with all protocols to verify which works best, and remember that you can also switch between OpenVPN TCP (more stable) and UDP (faster) protocols.

Restart your iPhone

Sometimes, your iPhone may glitch for unknown reasons. That's why customer support agents are still using the popular “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” phrase.

To force-restart your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up
2. Press and quickly release Volume Down
3. Press and hold the Side button (the power button on the right side)
4. Continue holding the Side button, even if the power-off slider appears
5. Release the button when the Apple logo appears

Update your VPN app

Outdated VPN applications may have unfixed bugs that cause connectivity issues. Simultaneously, older VPN versions may be incompatible with newer iOS devices, resulting in the same error.

Most iOS VPN apps will alert you to the available newer versions. However, if that does not happen, go to the Apple App Store, search for your VPN service provider, and manually select to update it.

Update your iOS software

An outdated iOS version can also cause VPN connectivity issues. More so, older iOS devices may have vulnerabilities that put the user at risk even if the VPN functions properly.

To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap on Automatic Updates and allow iOS updates to download and install automatically. If the VPN not connecting on the iPhone problem persists after enabling automatic updates, go back to the Software Update section and check for more updates – some might require a manual installation.

Double-check credentials

Subscription-based VPN services require logging in with credentials to verify the user's account. You might see an Authentication Failed VPN error message if you attempt to connect to a VPN server without the correct login credentials.

Make sure you input the right credentials before connecting to a VPN server. Check your username-password combination for typos, upper and lower case letters, special characters, and common mistakes like O (upper case letter) and 0 (number.)

Like in the previous scenario, you will see an Authentication Failed error message if your VPN requires two-factor authentication, but it’s not set up correctly.

VPN services offer different 2FA options, so follow the instructions from your VPN provider to configure it. For example, NordVPN allows authentication via apps like Authy or Google Authenticator or via physical Bluetooth, NFC, or USB security keys.

Delete the VPN profile and add it again

A VPN app creates a profile in iPhone settings. Sometimes, a VPN profile may become corrupted or misconfigured, causing connectivity issues.

Turn off your VPN app. Go to iPhone Settings and navigate to the General tab, then scroll down and tap on VPN & Device Management and remove all VPN profiles. Relaunch the VPN app and allow it to configure a new profile. You may need to create a VPN profile manually from scratch if it still doesn’t work.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide (I use NordVPN as an example):

1. Remove all the VPN profiles in the VPN & Device Management section of the iOS settings.

   

2. Open the Safari browser, download the NordVPN IKEv2 certificate using the following link: https://downloads.nordcdn.com/certificates/root.der
   

   

3. Head back to the VPN & Device Management settings and install the downloaded NordVPN Root CA profile

   

4. Within the VPN & Device Management settings, click on VPN > Add VPN Configuration. Set the type to IKEv2, add a description of your VPN profile, set the authentication to Username, and turn off the Proxy toggle.

   

5. Log into your NordAccount dashboard, head to NordVPN > Manual Connections. There you will be able to choose a server location and the hostname. Makes sure to choose the IKEv2 protocol and copy the hostname. Open your VPN profile configuration and paste the hostname into the Server and Remote ID sections.

   

6. For authentication details, select the Service credentials section on your NordAccount dashboard. You will need to verify your email address.
   

   

7. Copy the username and password credentials from your NordAccount dashboard and paste them into your VPN configuration window.
   

   

8. Save the configuration and enable the VPN toggle on the top side of your screen.
   

   

9. Go back to the VPN & Device Management section and choose Add VPN Configuration
10. You'll have to fill in several fields. Write down your profile name in the Description field. Copy the server address from the Location configuration files in step 6 to the Server and Remote ID fields. Below, choose the Authentication by Username option and Copy the credentials from step 4 in the Username and Password fields.

    

11. Tap on Done to finalize your new VPN profile. Remember that manual VPN profile setup allows connecting only to one selected server, and you'll have to go through the whole process again to use a different one

Verify VPN settings

You may have made a mistake configuring the new VPN profile if it still doesn’t connect to a selected server. This is most likely the case if you see VPN errors 691 and 633 or a DNS Resolution Failed error message.

Carefully compare details like the VPN server address in the manual VPN configuration fields with your provider's instructions. Fix any typos, lower and upper case letters, special symbols, and other mistakes.

Install certificates

Some VPNs require certificates for authentication. The VPN connection will fail if you do not have the required certificates.

Different VPN apps have different steps for downloading and installing VPN certificates on iPhones. Check your VPN service provider's guides or contact customer support for assistance.

Reinstall your VPN app

Just like any other software, VPN apps may be misconfigured during the installation process or after updates.

Exit the VPN app and delete it from your iPhone. Then, go to the Apple App Store, search for your VPN service provider, and reinstall the app. Log in with your credentials and reconnect to the chosen VPN server.

Check your router's and firewall's settings

Local network settings or firewall configurations can block VPN traffic and prevent it from connecting to the server.

Check your router's and firewall's settings if you connect to a VPN via your home Wi-Fi network. Follow your router's manual to verify required VPN ports are open and that the firewall allows VPN traffic.

Set up port forwarding

VPN apps require specific router ports to be open to establish a connection to the server, like port 1194 for OpenVPN UDP and port 443 for TCP protocols.

If your VPN service provider supports port forwarding, follow its instructions to set it up on your router.

Contact your VPN provider

Sometimes, you cannot find the exact reason why your VPN is not working on your iPhone, no matter how much time you spend researching.

Contact your VPN service provider's customer support and ask for assistance. Most reliable VPN providers have a 24/7 live chat option, but if the agents are not responsive, look for the official customer support email address and send them an email describing the problem.

Check network policies

A few reasons unrelated to VPNs may cause problems establishing a connection to the VPN server. Schools, university campuses, libraries, and workplace offices may have specific network configurations to block VPN traffic and prevent it from connecting to a server.

Contact the network's administration to verify whether they allow using a VPN and ask for specific permissions if necessary.

Ensure there are no location-based restrictions

Countries with tight internet censorship often restrict or block VPN usage to prevent information access and maintain censorship. For example, Chinese citizens can get in legal trouble for accessing banned websites via a VPN, and in Russia, any software and websites used for censorship bypassing were banned in 2017, along with heavy restrictions on VPN connections (blocked ports, VPN IP bans, etc), however, VPN usage itself is not yet officially illegal.

Choose a VPN service provider that efficiently bypasses location-based restrictions without compromising your online safety. For example, you can use NordVPN obfuscated servers to make your VPN traffic look like a casual internet data flow, which is especially handy for bypassing VPN blocks.

Choose a reliable VPN provider

If none of the above work, you may have stumbled upon an unreliable VPN service that doesn't work that well on iPhones.

Go through online reviews and pick the best VPN for iPhone that has an excellent track record, a positive user rating on the Apple App Store with at least several hundred inputs, robust cybersecurity features, and reliable customer support. We recommend paid professional VPN services like NordVPN instead of using questionable free VPNs.

How to test a VPN on iPhone

An IP address leak is the best indicator that your VPN is not connecting on your iPhone. Use a website like Whatismyip and mark down your original IP address without connecting to a VPN. Then, launch the VPN app, connect to the server, and refresh the Whatismyip website. Your VPN has failed to connect to the server if it shows your original IP address instead of the VPN's.

A DNS leak is another indicator that there's something wrong with a VPN connection. Connect to the VPN server and go to the DNSleaktest website. Select a Standard or Extended test and wait for the results to appear shortly. Your VPN may be leaking a DNS address if you see your original Internet Service Provider's name and your country of residence in the results.

Lastly, you can use an online speed test tool to verify your VPN is fast enough to establish a stable connection. Alternatively, check our VPN speed test comparison that shows the performance results of the world's biggest VPN providers.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why your VPN is not connecting to your iPhone. Forgotten VPN or iOS updates, wrong protocol, or local network restrictions often prevent the VPN from doing its job. Simultaneously, some VPNs simply do not have a functional iOS app, and you should consider switching VPN service providers.

Our top recommendation is NordVPN, which has an excellent iPhone app and valuable additional features, like obfuscated servers. Furthermore, it's one of the fastest VPNs in the market, ensuring safe and speedy browsing once you connect to its servers.

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