Why Does My VPN Keep Disconnecting?

If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either planning on getting a VPN connection or have one already. If you do have one already, then great! But if you’re planning on getting one, then you’re probably experiencing a frustrating issue with your VPN connection that’s keeping you from fully enjoying the security and privacy benefits of your virtual private network (VPN). So let’s dive into this issue and see what’s causing it.

IP Leaks

One of the major annoyances of using a VPN is when it disconnects unexpectedly. When this happens, you will find yourself cut off from the internet connection you were previously connected to, and not one you were on before the disconnect. Every time this happens, you have to click on the disconnect button and reconnect using the IP address of the VPN server, which seems like a hassle and can be a pain to keep track of. To avoid this issue, make sure your VPN server is accepting connections from other devices and that you’re not configured to allow any IP leaks. If you are, then you should update your security settings and revoke the previous permissions.

Not Always Connected To The Network

Even when your VPN connection is working perfectly, there’s always the chance that you won’t be fully connected to the network. This is usually due to one of the following reasons:

• Your device is connected to multiple networks. For example, you might have a corporate network at work and a personal network at home. If your work VPN isn’t configured to allow you to connect to the personal VPN, then you will be disconnected when you try to connect. This can happen even when your device is physically connected to only one network (e.g., your home network)
• You’re behind a firewall. If you are, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN due to the firewall blocking the connection
• Your device is on a network that the VPN client isn’t configured to connect to. For example, some VPN clients don’t support IPv6, so if you’re using one that doesn’t, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN
• You’re traveling and your device is in a different country. In this case, you will not be able to connect to the VPN since the services that the VPN provides might not be available in the country you’re traveling to
• There’s a router between you and the VPN server. If there is, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN since the router will also block the connection (unless you configure it to allow VPN connections)
• The VPN is on the other side of the firewall, and the firewall is blocking the connection. If your firewall is configured to allow VPN connections, but the VPN is on the other side of the firewall, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN
• You’re using a VPN on a public Wi-Fi network. If this is the case, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN since the service will not allow you to connect while on a public network

Limited Bandwidth

Even when your device is physically connected to only one network and you have a perfect, unblocking VPN connection, you might still experience slow speeds due to limited bandwidth. Remember that when you’re connected to a VPN, your data is being transmitted to the server, which is somewhere else. Depending on how busy the internet connection is between your device and the VPN server, this can cause major slowdowns or even interruptions in service. To avoid this issue, make sure that your internet service provider isn’t imposing any bandwidth caps on your account and that you’re not using up all of your monthly data limits. If you are, then you’ll have to find an alternative solution (e.g., an airplane Wi-Fi connection or buying more data from your internet service provider)

Shared IP

Some internet service providers limit the number of devices you can connect to your account, so if you’re sharing an IP address with another device (e.g., a gaming laptop), then you might experience sluggish speeds or even interruptions in service. These are problems that you need to be aware of and make sure that your internet service provider isn’t imposing any limits on your account. As previously stated, when your device is connected to a VPN, it is being transmitted data to the server, which is somewhere else. This means that content is being cached on the device so that it can be more readily available to everyone using the service. Since the device is also sharing its IP address with another device, this can confuse both devices and cause issues with connecting and using the service. To avoid this issue, make sure that your internet service provider isn’t imposing any limits on the number of devices you can connect to your account and that you’re not sharing your IP address with other devices. If you are, then you should consider getting a dedicated IP address rather than a shared one.

Reduced Compression

Data compression isn’t always a good thing, and when it comes to VPNs, it’s not always desirable. The reason being that you’re often trading off a little bit of quality for better speeds. However, sometimes this is exactly what you need to keep your VPN connection unblocked. Some VPNs are equipped with optional data compression, which is great if you’re experiencing throttled speeds or intermittent connection problems. If your device is physically connected to only one network and you have a perfect VPN connection, then you might not need to worry about this issue. But if you’re experiencing problems, then you should consider whether or not you want to enable this feature on your VPN.

Limited Server Pools

Some internet service providers have limited server pools, which means that they have a set number of servers that they will allow you to connect to. If your device is connected to multiple networks, then it’s possible that the server pool at your work network is limited while the one at your personal network is not. If this is the case, then you will not be able to connect to the VPN using the service, since your device will be unable to find a server that is unblocked by your corporate firewall. To avoid this issue, make sure that your internet service provider doesn’t have any limits on the number of servers that you can connect to and that your device is physically connected to only one network.

Increased Cost

Using a VPN has definite advantages, but there’s also the cost that you need to consider. Most VPNs are quite affordable, but if you’re finding yourself spending a lot of money on data plans, then you might want to consider an all-public-WiFi solution or buying more data from your internet service provider.

Remember that the more devices you connect to your VPN, the higher the cost will be. If you are, then you might want to consider getting a dedicated IP address rather than a shared one, as shared IP addresses can get very expensive when you have multiple devices connecting to the service. If connecting multiple devices is critical for your business, then you might want to look at paid VPN services that operate on a subscription basis. These solutions offer a stable and secure connection, along with the flexibility to install and use the service on any device.

Closed Networks

If you’re using a VPN to connect to a closed network (e.g., a local Wi-Fi hotspot at an airport or office building), then you will not be able to connect to the VPN due to the firewall that is likely blocking the connection. To connect to these networks, you will need to find a way to get around the firewall (e.g., using a different device or software on your current one).

VPNs are a great way to connect to the internet when you’re traveling, but there are a few things that you need to be aware of. First off, make sure that your VPN server is accepting connections from other devices and that you’re not configured to allow any IP leaks. If you are, then you should update your security settings and revoke the previous permissions. Additionally, make sure that your internet service provider isn’t imposing any limits on the number of devices you can connect to your account, and that you’re not sharing your IP address with other devices. If you are, then you should consider getting a dedicated IP address rather than a shared one.

Hopefully, this article has helped answer some of your questions about why your VPN keeps disconnecting. It’s a common issue, but it can be fixed! If you’re still having issues, then contact your internet service provider or read our article on how to fix VPN problems. Good luck out there.