Is VPN not working on your iPhone? Various factors can prevent you from establishing a connection to the VPN server on your iPhone, ranging from unstable internet connection to technical difficulties with the VPN provider. Fortunately, you can try the troubleshooting steps below to get it resolved quickly.
1. Perform Some Preliminary Checks
If you can’t connect to a VPN on your iPhone, perform the following preliminary checks, which may resolve the problem right away:
- Force quit your VPN app, then reopen it.
- Restart your iPhone to fix a minor software problem or connectivity issue with your VPN.
- Ensure that your iPhone is connected to the internet.
- Run a ping test to check the stability of your network connection. If the ping rate is too high or you get errors during the test, your internet likely isn’t stable.
- Keep only one VPN app open at a time. Also, close any other apps that could interfere with the VPN connection.
- Check for a VPN app update.
If the preliminary checks don’t help, proceed to the remaining fixes.
2. Change Your Connected Region
Changing the region you’re connecting from can fix an issue with your VPN as well. It’s possible your VPN is having issues establishing connections from one region, but not others.
The way to change your connected region varies depending on your VPN provider. A lot of VPN providers allow you to select your location within their iOS app. Try opening the app to see if you can quickly change your connected region.
For example, TunnelBear lets you quickly change your connection region by tapping on an interactive map.
If your VPN is not connecting to any region, move onto the next step!
3. Delete And Reinstall VPN App
If VPN is still not working on your iPhone, deleting and reinstalling your VPN app can give it a fresh start if it’s experiencing connectivity issues. One of the app’s files may have become corrupted, which can cause a variety of problems.
Press and hold your VPN app’s icon on the Home screen or in the App Library until the menu appears. Tap Remove App -> Delete App -> Delete to uninstall your VPN app.
Now that the app has been deleted, open the App Store and tap on the Search tab in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Search for the name of your VPN, then tap the cloud button to the right of the app in the search results.
4. Try Other VPN Apps
If you’re still unable to connect to VPN on your iPhone even after reinstalling the app, there could be a backend or technical issue with your VPN provider. The easiest way to rule out backend issues is to try a different VPN app, preferably one that is more reliable, and connect to one of its servers.
If the connection is successful, then your primary VPN provider may be the culprit. While you wait for your VPN provider to resolve the issue, you can continue using the other app.
However, if you can’t connect to a VPN from the other app as well, there may be an issue with the VPN configuration or your iPhone’s settings. So, apply the remaining fixes.
5. Delete the VPN Profile
A VPN profile enables a device to connect to a private network securely. When you connect to a new VPN for the first time, the app asks for permission to create a new VPN profile. When you grant permission, the app creates a profile, which allows the VPN to monitor or filter your iPhone’s network activity.
The corruption of VPN profiles can also hinder your connection. Therefore, you should delete the existing profile and add it again to rule out this possibility. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Go to General > VPN & Device Management.
- Tap on VPN.
- Locate the VPN profile associated with your primary VPN, which isn’t connecting.
- Tap the Info (i) button next to the relevant VPN profile.
- Tap Delete VPN and then tap Delete in the confirmation popup.
- When you reopen the VPN app, it will ask for permission to recreate the VPN profile. Grant access and see if it fixes the problem.
If deleting and re-creating your primary VPN profile doesn’t resolve the issue, delete all other VPN profiles you see in the VPN settings menu other than the one you just created. This may resolve the problem.
6. Change the VPN Protocol
A VPN protocol consists of rules that determine the encryption used for data and the way information travels between your iPhone and a VPN server. Almost all VPN providers offer multiple VPN protocols and are configured to automatically connect to the most appropriate one based on the use case.
The default auto mode is generally the best, but it sometimes malfunctions and causes connection problems. If you’ve also been using the default auto settings, manually switch between available protocols. Depending on your VPN provider, you may need to dig into the app’s settings to change the protocol.
If manually changing the protocol doesn’t resolve the issue, revert the change and switch to auto again.
7. Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings
Reset Network Settings erases all VPN, Wi-Fi, Cellular, and APN settings on your iPhone and restores them to factory defaults. You’ll have to reconfigure your VPN once after the reset is complete. It’s also a good idea to write down your Wi-Fi passwords before performing this reset, as you’ll have to reenter them.
Open Settings and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your iPhone passcode, then tap Reset Network Settings to confirm the reset. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, then turn on again. Reconnect to the VPN again to see if you can connect successfully this time.
8. Ensure Your ISP Isn’t Blocking Your Connection
Although it rarely happens, restrictions imposed by your ISP can also prevent your iPhone from connecting to the VPN. If resetting the network settings does not work, you need to rule out this possibility. To do that, connect to your cellular network or a different Wi-Fi network to see if changing the internet provider fixes the issue.
If you find that your ISP is the culprit, you may need to try a different VPN app to see if that’s blocked as well. You can also contact your ISP directly to have them look into the issue or switch to a different network provider that doesn’t block VPNs altogether.
9. Contact Your VPN Provider
If you still can’t connect to VPN on your iPhone, it’s time to contact customer support. There may an issue with your account only a customer support representative can resolve. Go to Google and search the name of your VPN provider and “customer support” to find their contact information.
Get Your VPN Up and Running Again
Having trouble connecting to a VPN on an iPhone can be frustrating. Hopefully, you now understand why your iPhone fails to connect to a remote VPN server and how you can fix it using the troubleshooting steps above. Leave a comment down below if you have any other questions about virtual private networks.
See also: Is it Good to Use a VPN on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac?
