PIA Not Connecting

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Connect to a different, nearby server

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open the PIA app and click the region selector
   2. 02Pick a nearby server or 'Choose Automatically'
   3. 03Reconnect
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Change protocol and port

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   1. 01Go to Settings > Protocols
   2. 02Switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN
   3. 03For OpenVPN, try UDP first, then TCP on restrictive networks
   4. 04Change Remote Port, reconnect after each change, and stop when it connects
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Whitelist PIA in firewall and antivirus

   Copy steps
   1. 01Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus to test
   2. 02If PIA connects, add it to exceptions (Windows: Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings > Add or Remove Exclusions)
   3. 03Re-enable protection
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Close other VPN apps

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   1. 01Quit any other VPN or network optimizer
   2. 02Check the system tray/menu bar for leftover processes
   3. 03On macOS remove old profiles in System Settings > VPN
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Flush DNS and reset network stack

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   1. 01Windows: run Command Prompt as administrator, then 'ipconfig /flushdns' and 'netsh winsock reset', restart
   2. 02macOS: run 'sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder', restart
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. FIX 6Update or reinstall the app

   Copy steps
   1. 01Update PIA to the latest version
   2. 02If a new release broke it, uninstall, restart and reinstall
   3. 03On Windows check the PIA service is running
   Did this fix it? Yes No

7. FIX 7Try Multi-Hop on restrictive networks

   Copy steps
   1. 01Go to Settings > Multi-Hop
   2. 02Enable Shadowsocks obfuscation if the VPN is blocked
   3. 03Only use where VPN use is allowed
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The app stays on 'Connecting', times out, or connects and drops straight away, on one server or all of them.

Why it happens

• C-01Current protocol or port blocked by the network
• C-02Firewall or antivirus blocking PIA
• C-03Overloaded or offline server
• C-04Another VPN or network optimizer running
• C-05Outdated app or corrupted network adapter/DNS cache
• C-06Expired subscription or wrong credentials

// this guide also covers

• pia not connecting
• private internet access won't connect
• pia stuck on connecting
• pia vpn not working

The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

• NordVPN Not Connecting (NordVPN)
• Surfshark Not Connecting (Surfshark)
• ExpressVPN Unable to Connect / Stuck on Connecting (ExpressVPN)
• Mullvad VPN Not Connecting or Stuck on Connecting (Mullvad VPN)
• Proton VPN Not Connecting (Proton VPN)

Other Private Internet Access errors

• PIA Not Working With Netflix
• Why Is PIA So Slow?
• Connected to PIA but No Internet
• PIA Keeps Disconnecting
• PIA Authentication Failed Error
• PIA Websites Blocked and Google CAPTCHAs
• PIA Not Working With BBC iPlayer or Disney+
• PIA Port Forwarding Not Working