Mullvad VPN Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Mullvad VPN. Based on analysis of 14 signals.
Overall score: 72/100
Issues by Category
Mullvad stuck on connecting or blocking internet
Because the kill switch is always on, a failed tunnel leaves the app showing 'Blocking internet' and nothing loads. Reddit threads trace it to ISPs or mobile networks blocking WireGuard ports, a single bad server or stale keys, and fixes are switching location, changing the port or anti-censorship mode, or logging out and back in.
Mullvad not working with Netflix and streaming sites
Mullvad doesn't optimize servers for streaming. Top10VPN's August 2026 tests found it blocked on US and UK Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ (UK) and ITVX, and Security.org saw Netflix and Disney+ work only intermittently. People who buy it for streaming are the most common group to regret it.
Small server network compared to big VPNs
Top10VPN counts 674 servers in 50 countries, most of them rented and heavily concentrated in Europe, versus 100+ countries for ExpressVPN. Users far from Europe or North America get fewer nearby options.
Only 5 devices per Mullvad account
Each account is limited to 5 devices and Mullvad says it cannot add more. Rivals like Surfshark allow unlimited devices for less on long plans, so families and people with many devices hit the 'too many devices' screen and have to log one out.
Mullvad refund not possible for cash or crypto
The 14-day money-back guarantee excludes cash, cryptocurrency and vouchers, and App Store purchases go through Apple. Users who chose the most anonymous payment options therefore can't get money back, and Trustpilot reviewers report declined cards and payments without a credited account.
Is Mullvad expensive? No long-term discount
Mullvad charges €5 a month whether you buy one month, a year or a decade, and explicitly runs no sales. That's fair and has no renewal hikes, but it costs more than the intro prices of NordVPN or Surfshark on 2-year deals, and Comparitech calls it a touch expensive given the small network and no streaming.
Mullvad has no live chat support
Support is email only (support@mullvadvpn.net) plus the in-app problem report. Reviewers got useful answers in hours, but Trustpilot complaints from users abroad and in censored countries describe little practical help when they can't connect.
Users left Mullvad over co-founder's political donation
In June 2026 it emerged that co-founder Daniel Berntsson personally donated 5 million SEK to Sweden's populist Örebro Party. Mullvad distanced itself, offered refunds to customers who leave over it, and the Tor Project paused co-branding; Trustpilot and forum users cite it as a reason to cancel.
Google CAPTCHAs and website blocks on Mullvad
Mullvad's own FAQ says CAPTCHAs are common on Cloudflare-protected sites, and r/mullvadvpn users report Google 'unusual traffic' checks. Some home routers (ASUS AiProtection, TP-Link HomeCare, Verizon Fios parental controls) even flag Mullvad as malicious and block it.
Mullvad is too technical for beginners
Reviewers mention a steeper learning curve: split tunneling needs manual setup (and Full Disk Access on macOS), there is no Fire TV app, Smart DNS or Chrome extension, and anti-censorship, MTU and port options are left for the user to tune. Trustpilot reviewers call the interface hard to navigate.
Mullvad removed port forwarding
Mullvad stopped creating new forwarded ports on May 29, 2023 and deleted existing ones on July 1, 2023, citing abuse. Torrenters and self-hosters still list this as their main reason for leaving, usually for Proton VPN or other providers that still offer it.
Mullvad OpenVPN stopped working in 2026
Mullvad removed OpenVPN from its desktop app in version 2025.14 and shut down its OpenVPN servers on January 15, 2026. Routers, NAS boxes and third-party clients configured with OpenVPN files stopped connecting overnight and have to be reconfigured with WireGuard.
Mullvad Android leak on Android 16
In May 2026 Mullvad disclosed an Android 16 bug that lets any app send some traffic outside the VPN even with Always-on VPN and 'Block connections without VPN' enabled. It affects every Android VPN, Google closed the report as won't fix, and the only workaround is an ADB command. Top10VPN advises avoiding sensitive Android use until it's fixed.
Why is Mullvad so slow on some servers?
Tests show small losses nearby (6% local, 15% global for Top10VPN), but speed drops on distant servers, and DAITA, Multihop and obfuscation all cost speed. Security.org measured Multihop roughly halving throughput, and Mullvad's own guide tells users to switch provider or city and turn these features off.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Mullvad VPN.
Bought it for streaming
Users expect Netflix or BBC iPlayer to work like on NordVPN and find most libraries blocked.
Torrent setup broke without port forwarding
Seeders and self-hosters lose incoming connections and switch to Proton VPN or PIA.
Router config died on January 15, 2026
OpenVPN-based router and NAS setups stopped connecting and had to be rebuilt with WireGuard.
Paid with crypto or cash, then wanted a refund
The anonymous payment methods are exactly the ones excluded from the 14-day guarantee.
Ran out of device slots
A household of phones, laptops and a TV quickly hits the 5-device cap.
Left over the founder's political donation
Some long-time users cancelled after the 2026 Örebro Party donation news despite liking the product.
When Mullvad VPN Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Mullvad VPN fails or underperforms.
Streaming foreign Netflix libraries
Most Mullvad IPs are detected, so you see the proxy error or a home library.
Networks that block WireGuard ports
Hotel, school or mobile networks can leave the app stuck connecting with internet blocked until you change port or enable UDP-over-TCP/QUIC obfuscation.
Old routers and third-party OpenVPN clients
Anything still using OpenVPN configs stopped working after January 15, 2026.
Using DAITA or Multihop for everyday browsing
Extra padding and a second hop can halve speed and raise latency.
Printing or casting on the local network
Printers, NAS shares and Chromecasts are unreachable until Local network sharing is enabled.
Sensitive use on Android 16
An OS-level QUIC bug can leak some traffic outside any VPN tunnel unless you apply an ADB workaround.
Heavy Google and Cloudflare use
Shared exit IPs trigger CAPTCHAs and 'unusual traffic' pages.