How to Check If Your VPN Is Working

A VPN app that shows "connected" is a good start, but it is not proof that your traffic is actually travelling through the VPN. Connections can drop silently, some apps can ignore the tunnel, and a name lookup can slip out through your normal network. A few quick checks tell you what is really happening.

This guide gives you a simple routine you can run in a couple of minutes. You can repeat it whenever you change networks, after a phone or computer update, or whenever something feels odd. It works with whichever app or connection profile is listed on your My Pass page.

Check 1: the connection status

Start with the obvious. Look at the status shown in your VPN app or connection profile. Most operating systems also show a small indicator, often a key or VPN symbol, near the clock or in the status bar. The exact look depends on the device, version and manufacturer, so do not worry if yours differs.

If the status says "connecting" for a long time, "disconnected", or shows an error, go straight to the troubleshooting guides for Android or iPhone and iPad. If it says connected, move on.

Check 2: compare your public IP address

This is the most useful test, and you do not need special tools.

1. Disconnect the VPN. Make sure the device is online through your normal network.
2. Look up your public IP. Open any IP-lookup website in your browser and note the address shown. Write down or screenshot it.
3. Connect the VPN. Wait until the status shows connected.
4. Look it up again. Reload the same page, preferably in a fresh browser tab, and note the address.
5. Compare. If the second address differs from the first, your traffic is leaving through the VPN. If it is identical, the VPN is not carrying that traffic.

Some sites also show an approximate location. Treat that as a rough guide only, because location databases are not always accurate. Our article on whether a VPN hides your IP explains what changes and what does not.

Check 3: look for DNS leaks

DNS turns website names into addresses. If your device still asks your normal network's DNS servers while the VPN is on, the websites you look up can be visible outside the tunnel. This is called a DNS leak. Read what a DNS leak is for the details.

To test it, use a DNS-leak test from any reputable testing site. Compare the DNS servers shown with the ones you see when the VPN is off. If they are the same as your normal network's servers, your lookups may be leaking. Reconnect, restart the app, and test again. If leaks persist, contact support.

Check 4: look for WebRTC leaks

Browsers use a feature called WebRTC for video calls and similar tools. In some cases it can reveal an address that you did not expect. Our article on WebRTC leaks explains this. If a WebRTC test shows your normal address while the VPN is on, check your browser's privacy settings and try a different browser to see whether the result changes.

Check 5: test a real page and an app

Open a few ordinary sites and an app that needs the internet. If pages load and the IP check has changed, the VPN is probably doing its job. If the VPN seems connected but nothing loads, restart the connection. If only one app misbehaves, see whether that app has its own network settings or limits.

If the checks fail

Work through these in order, from the most to the least likely cause.

1. Pass expired. Open your My Pass page and check the end date. Validity starts when the VPN account was created. If it has expired, renew your pass.
2. Stale connection. Disconnect, wait a few seconds, reconnect, and run Check 2 again.
3. Wrong profile or login. Make sure you are using the app or profile listed on My Pass and that the details are entered correctly.
4. Network interference. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. On public networks, complete any login page first, as described in connecting on public Wi-Fi.
5. Restart. Restart the app, then the device.
6. Update. Install pending updates for the operating system and the VPN app.

Limits and what to watch for

• A changed IP address proves traffic is routed through the VPN. It does not prove you are anonymous or that every risk is covered.
• Tests run in a browser only show what that browser does. Other apps may behave differently.
• Test sites sometimes cache results. Use a fresh tab and wait a moment after connecting.
• Corporate or school networks may apply their own rules and change the results.

When to contact support

If your pass is active, the status says connected, and the IP address still does not change, or you keep seeing DNS or WebRTC leaks after reconnecting, contact us through account support or the contact page. Include the device, operating system version, network type and what each check showed. Please do not include your password.

Summary

Check the status, compare your public IP before and after connecting, test for DNS and WebRTC leaks, and confirm real pages load. If anything fails, check your pass, reconnect, and update before contacting support. If you would like more time on your pass, see the pricing page, or browse the Help Center for related guides.