Proton VPN Not Connecting

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Try a different server

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   1. Connect to another server or country
   2. If you need one specific server, check the Proton VPN status page and wait for it to come back
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Change the VPN protocol

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   1. Open Settings and find Protocol (Settings > Connection > Protocol on Android)
   2. Choose Smart Protocol so the app cycles through WireGuard, OpenVPN and Stealth automatically
   3. If your network blocks VPNs, choose Stealth; on Windows also try WireGuard or OpenVPN in TCP mode
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Allow Proton VPN through your firewall and antivirus

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   1. Temporarily turn off your firewall and try to connect
   2. If it works, turn the firewall back on and allow the Proton VPN app for both incoming and outgoing connections
   3. Add Proton VPN as an exception in third-party antivirus such as Avast
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Turn on alternative routing

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   1. In the app settings, enable Alternative routing
   2. This sends the app's connection to Proton through third-party networks that may not be blocked
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Check your plan and the system clock

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   1. Sign in at account.protonvpn.com and confirm your paid plan is active; an expired plan drops to free servers only
   2. Windows 11: Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time, set time automatically
   3. macOS: System Settings > General > Date and Time
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. 6. Turn off the Windows proxy

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   1. Windows 11: Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy > Manual proxy setup > Edit, switch Use a proxy Off
   2. In Firefox: Settings > Network Settings > Settings, choose No proxy
   3. Check with your admin first on work or school PCs
   Did this fix it? Yes No

7. 7. Rule out your network

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   1. Move closer to the router or use Ethernet
   2. Restart the router (off for at least 10 seconds) and the PC
   3. Try a phone hotspot; if Proton VPN works there, the problem is your ISP or Wi-Fi network
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The app stays on Connecting, times out, fails on every server, or connects and drops straight away.

Why it happens

• Server offline for maintenance or retired
• VPN protocol blocked by the network (school, office, ISP)
• Firewall or antivirus blocking Proton VPN (Avast is known to break WireGuard)
• Paid plan expired, so only free servers are available
• System date and time are wrong
• System or browser proxy settings interfering (Windows)
• Weak Wi-Fi or ISP problem

This guide also covers

• proton vpn not connecting
• proton vpn stuck on connecting
• proton vpn won't connect
• proton vpn not working
• proton vpn connection failed

The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

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

Other Proton VPN errors

• Why Is Proton VPN So Slow?
• Proton VPN Not Working With Netflix
• Proton VPN Keeps Disconnecting on Android
• No Internet After Disconnecting Proton VPN
• Proton VPN Port Forwarding Not Working
• Proton VPN Getting CAPTCHAs and Blocked Websites
• Proton VPN Login Not Working
• Proton VPN Blocked on School or Work Wi-Fi