Why Your VPN Keeps Disconnecting and How to Fix It

That split-second when your VPN connection drops isn't just annoying, it's a security problem. Your real IP address and unencrypted data get exposed the moment it happens, which defeats the whole point of using a VPN. If your VPN keeps disconnecting, you need to figure out why and fix it.

This guide walks through the most common causes and how to fix them, starting with the easy stuff and working up to the trickier problems.

Common Causes of VPN Disconnections

When asking, "why does my vpn keep disconnecting?" the answer usually falls into one of four categories. Knowing which one you're dealing with makes fixing your unstable VPN connection much easier.

1. Network Issues:

• Unstable Internet: Your VPN is only as stable as your underlying internet connection. If your WiFi is weak or your ISP service is spotty, your VPN will drop.
• Network Switching: Moving from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice-versa) can break the VPN tunnel, causing a disconnect.
• Router Problems: An outdated or misconfigured router can struggle to maintain a persistent VPN connection.
• ISP Throttling: Some internet providers actively interfere with or block VPN traffic, leading to frequent vpn connection drops.

2. VPN App and Settings Issues:

• Outdated VPN App: Older versions may have bugs or compatibility issues that cause instability.
• Wrong Protocol: Using a protocol built for speed (like OpenVPN UDP) on an unstable network can lead to drops. The WireGuard protocol often provides a more stable alternative.
• Server Overload: Connecting to a crowded server can result in poor performance and frequent disconnections.
• Firewall/Antivirus Interference: Security software can mistakenly flag VPN traffic as suspicious and block it.

3. Device-Specific Problems:

• Aggressive Battery Optimization: Mobile devices often kill background apps, including your VPN, to save power.
• Sleep Mode: Laptops and computers going into sleep or hibernate mode will terminate the VPN connection.
• Outdated Operating System: An old OS can have networking bugs that conflict with your VPN client.

4. ISP or Network Administrator Blocks:

• Blocked VPN Traffic: School, corporate, or public Wi-Fi networks often have firewalls that block VPN ports and protocols.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Sophisticated networks can inspect your traffic, identify it as coming from a VPN, and terminate the connection.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before you get into the weeds, try these simple steps first. One of them will often fix vpn disconnection issues in a few minutes.

1. Switch to a Different Server: The server you're on might be overcrowded or experiencing technical issues. Connect to a different location, preferably one physically closer to you.
2. Change VPN Protocol: This fixes more problems than you'd think. In your VPN app's settings, switch your protocol. If you're using OpenVPN, try WireGuard or IKEv2, as they are often more stable and better at handling network changes.
3. Restart the VPN App: Close the application completely (don't just minimize it) and reopen it to clear any temporary glitches.
4. Check Your Internet Connection: Disconnect the VPN and test your internet speed and stability. If your base connection is flaky, no VPN will save it.
5. Restart Your Device: A simple reboot of your phone, computer, or router can resolve many underlying software and network conflicts.
6. Update Your VPN App: Check for updates in your app store or on the provider's website. Updates often fix the exact connection bugs you're running into.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If none of that worked, the problem is probably deeper. These steps go after the more stubborn issues that cause your vpn disconnecting.

1. Disable Battery Optimization: On Android or iOS, go to your device settings and find the battery optimization or low power mode settings. Create an exception for your VPN app to prevent your phone from killing it in the background.
2. Whitelist VPN in Firewall/Antivirus: Open your security software and add your VPN application to its list of trusted programs or exceptions. This stops it from interfering with your connection.
3. Switch from UDP to TCP: While UDP is faster, TCP is more reliable on unstable networks because it verifies that data packets are received.
4. Try Obfuscated Servers: If you suspect your ISP or network administrator is blocking VPN traffic, connect to an obfuscated or "stealth" server. These servers disguise your VPN traffic to look like regular internet traffic, which gets it past most blocks.
5. Change DNS Settings: Try changing your VPN's DNS settings to a custom DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) to see if it improves connection stability.
6. Reinstall the VPN App: Uninstall the VPN client completely, restart your device, and then download and install the latest version from the official website.
7. Contact VPN Support: If all else fails, reach out to your provider's support team. Provide them with details about the issue, including the steps you've already taken.

Protocol Recommendations for Stability

The protocol you pick matters more than most people realize. Here's how they compare for stability.

When the Problem Is Your VPN Provider

If you've tried everything above and the disconnections continue, the problem might not be on your end. Some VPN providers just have bad infrastructure, and no amount of tweaking on your side will fix that.

Here are some signs the VPN itself is the problem:

• Disconnections Happen on Multiple Devices: If your VPN drops on your phone, laptop, and tablet, the common denominator is the VPN service.
• The Problem Persists Across Different Networks: If it disconnects at home, on public Wi-Fi, and using mobile data, your local network isn't the issue.
• Multiple Servers Have the Same Issue: Randomly testing different servers and finding they are all unstable points to poor infrastructure.
• Other Users Report Similar Problems: A quick search on Reddit or Twitter for your VPN's name + "disconnecting" can reveal if it's a widespread issue.
• Support is Unresponsive or Unhelpful: If their support team can't solve your connection issues, it's a major red flag.

If your VPN can't hold a connection, it's not doing its job. Tegant VPN runs on high-uptime servers with WireGuard as the default protocol, which eliminates most of the stability issues described above.

How to Prevent Future VPN Disconnections

Once things are working again, a few habits will keep them that way:

• Use a Modern Protocol: Set your default protocol to WireGuard or IKEv2. Both are much more stable than older protocols.
• Enable Auto-Reconnect: In your VPN settings, turn on the "automatic reconnect" feature. This ensures the app will immediately try to re-establish a secure tunnel if the connection drops.
• Enable the Kill Switch: Seriously, turn this on. A VPN kill switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects, so your data doesn't leak out during those brief gaps.
• Keep Your VPN App Updated: Always install the latest version to get bug fixes and performance improvements.
• Disable Battery Savers for the VPN App: Make sure your device's power-saving features aren't interfering with the VPN client.
• Use a Wired Connection When Possible: An Ethernet connection is inherently more stable than Wi-Fi and will reduce the chances of a vpn disconnecting.

FAQ: Your Questions on VPN Disconnections Answered

Why does my VPN keep disconnecting and reconnecting on my phone?

This is often caused by two things: aggressive battery optimization killing the app, or the VPN struggling to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. To fix this, disable battery optimization for the VPN app in your phone's settings and switch to a mobile-friendly protocol like IKEv2 or the WireGuard protocol. On Android, you can also enable the "Always-on VPN" feature.

My VPN keeps disconnecting on Windows/Mac. What's the fix?

On desktops, the most common culprits are your firewall or antivirus software. Add your VPN to the exception list. On Windows, also check for outdated network drivers and try disabling IPv6 in your network adapter settings if conflicts persist. On a Mac, ensure the VPN has all necessary permissions in "Security & Privacy" and disable "Low Power Mode."

Why vpn keeps disconnecting on public Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi networks are often unstable and may have firewalls designed to block VPNs. To fix this, switch to the OpenVPN TCP protocol, which is more resilient on poor networks. If that doesn't work, use an obfuscated server to disguise your VPN traffic and bypass the network's blocks.

Is it my internet provider causing my vpn to disconnect?

It's possible. Some ISPs use Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to identify and throttle or block VPN traffic. If your VPN connection drops frequently despite a stable internet connection, your ISP could be the cause. Using a VPN with strong obfuscation features, like Tegant's, can help you avoid this interference.

Tegant VPN uses 10 Gbps servers and WireGuard by default, which addresses most of the stability issues covered in this guide. Learn more about Tegant VPN.