Proton VPN Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Proton VPN. Based on analysis of 15 signals.
Overall score: 71/100
Issues by Category
Proton VPN not connecting or stuck on Connecting
Connection failures, half-connects and drops are a recurring theme on r/ProtonVPN and in 1-2 star reviews. Proton's support points to blocked protocols, firewalls or antivirus (Avast is called out for breaking WireGuard), an expired paid plan, a wrong system clock or a server under maintenance.
Proton VPN Stealth not working in restrictive countries
Stealth is designed to get past VPN blocking and DPI, but security.org called it roughly a coin flip in restrictive countries, and a user on a university network reported Stealth stopped working on desktop. Proton adds alternative routing as a fallback.
Proton VPN not working with Netflix (proxy error)
Paid plans unblock Netflix and many other services in tests, but Netflix blocks individual server IPs, so you sometimes get the proxy error until you switch server, clear cookies or avoid Secure Core. Free servers are not built for streaming.
Why does Proton VPN renewal cost so much more?
The advertised VPN Plus deal is $2.99/month, billed $35.88 for the first 12 months, but it renews at $83.88 per year. Proton Unlimited goes from $77.88 for the first year to $119.88. Proton's terms say renewals are charged at the then-current price, not the price you first paid.
Why is Proton VPN so expensive month to month?
VPN Plus costs $9.99 a month if you pay monthly, and Proton Unlimited costs $12.99, so the low prices only apply to prepaid long terms. Security.org found Proton's long-term plans cost roughly 40-50% more than competing VPNs.
Proton VPN free servers slow at peak times
Proton's own speed guide says free servers get slower at busy times and suggests running large downloads or video calls during your region's quiet hours. Trustpilot and complaint-site users report slowdowns and more disconnects on the free tier, including after Proton added more free countries.
Why is Proton VPN so slow with Secure Core?
Regular connections lose little speed (security.org measured about an 8% download drop), but Secure Core routes through an extra server and tested about 35% slower. Stealth is slower than WireGuard too. Proton's own speed guide says to turn off Secure Core unless you need it.
Proton VPN free plan limits: one device, no country choice
The free plan has unlimited data and no ads but covers one device and picks a random server in about 10 countries. You can only press Change server and must wait before changing again. Streaming-optimised servers, P2P/torrenting and Secure Core are paid-only.
Proton VPN causes constant Google CAPTCHAs
Privacy Guides forum users who moved between VPNs report noticeably more CAPTCHAs and blocks on Proton than on Mullvad or NordVPN, likely because many users share the same IPs. Proton's own help page admits VPN users see more CAPTCHAs and suggests low-load servers and not switching servers often.
Proton VPN refund taking too long
Proton's terms promise a full refund only if you cancel and ask within 30 days of the first purchase, one refund per user, processed within 30 days. Cash and bank transfer payments are not refundable. Some Trustpilot reviewers say their refund was slow or not processed, while others report quick refunds.
Proton VPN has no 24/7 live chat
Live chat is only for paying users and runs roughly 9 AM to midnight CET; free users get email and the help center. Reviewers including Comparitech and Money.com mention slow responses and support centred on European working hours.
Is Proton leaving Switzerland? Surveillance law uncertainty
In 2025 Switzerland proposed surveillance rule changes that would require VPN and messaging providers to identify users and keep data. Proton CEO Andy Yen said the company would leave if it passed, and Proton began moving some infrastructure (starting with Lumo) and building facilities in Norway, saying it is not fully exiting.
Proton CEO political post backlash
In January 2025 CEO Andy Yen's post praising the Republican Party caused backlash, and Proton deleted posts before calling it a miscommunication and restating its political neutrality. Some privacy-community users said they would leave Proton over it; Proton said it does not comply with US subpoenas.
Proton VPN port forwarding changes every reconnect
Port forwarding works only on P2P servers in the Windows, macOS (early access) and Linux apps, not on mobile. The forwarded port usually changes when you reconnect, so torrent users must update qBittorrent each time or script it. Reddit and Lemmy users name this as a reason to switch providers.
Proton VPN keeps disconnecting on Android
Proton says phone makers like Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Huawei kill background apps aggressively, which drops the VPN. TechRadar reported Proton blaming an Android 16 bug for disconnects after app updates, with no full fix from Google at the time.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Proton VPN.
Shocked by the second-year renewal
Users who bought VPN Plus at $35.88 for the first year are charged $83.88 at renewal, and the 30-day refund window only covers the first purchase.
Free plan too slow for daily use
Free users hit slow or unstable servers in the evenings and cannot pick a country, then upgrade or leave.
CAPTCHA fatigue
Constant Google CAPTCHAs and site blocks make browsing with the VPN on annoying enough that some users switch to providers with less-shared IPs.
Torrent setup keeps breaking
Seeders find the forwarded port changes every reconnect, so their client goes unreachable until they update it manually or script it.
Waiting on support or a refund
Users with problems outside European hours, or on the free plan, wait for email replies; some report refunds taking longer than expected.
Locked out of Windows by the advanced kill switch
With advanced kill switch on, internet is blocked until the VPN connects, which can prevent signing in to a Microsoft account after a password change or major Windows update.
When Proton VPN Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Proton VPN fails or underperforms.
School, office or hotel Wi-Fi that blocks VPNs
WireGuard and OpenVPN get blocked, so the app hangs on Connecting until you switch to Stealth or Smart Protocol.
Countries with heavy censorship
Stealth and alternative routing help but are not reliable against every DPI filter, according to reviewers.
Free plan during peak hours
Crowded free servers slow down in the evening and you can only switch to another random free server after a cooldown.
Secure Core for everyday browsing
Routing through two servers costs about a third of your speed; fine for sensitive work, frustrating for streaming or gaming.
Android phones with aggressive battery saving
Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Huawei battery managers close the app in the background and the VPN drops.
Torrenting with port forwarding
The forwarded port changes on reconnect, and port forwarding does not work with moderate (type 2) NAT or on mobile apps.
Third-party antivirus on Windows
Avast and similar suites can make WireGuard connections unstable or stop Proton VPN connecting at all until an exception is added.