Surfshark Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Surfshark. Based on analysis of 12 signals.
Overall score: 69/100
Issues by Category
Surfshark renewal price much higher than the price you signed up at
The advertised $1.78-$4.18/month only applies to the first 27-month term. Plans then renew yearly at $79 (Starter), $99 (One) or $119 (One+) before tax; Tom's Guide calculated renewal increases of around 230% for Starter and One and 149% for One+. Users who paid ~$2/month report being charged $80+ for 12 months without realising.
Surfshark auto-renewed without warning and won't refund
About half of recent 1-star Trustpilot reviews are about refunds refused or past the window. Surfshark's policy excludes renewed subscriptions from the 30-day guarantee, and its renewal reminder email is not sent for 1-month plans, so users who miss the email are charged with no refund route.
Surfshark One+ price raised twice in early 2026
Pricing trackers recorded a 7% One+ increase in January 2026 and a 19% jump to $4.99/month on the 2-year deal in March, before a later cut to $4.18. One was also raised from $2.29 to $2.49 in February. Intro prices change often, so the deal you see this month may not be the one you get next month.
Surfshark monthly plan is expensive
Paying month to month costs $15.45 (Starter) to around $20.85 (One+), roughly 8-10x the 2-year rate. Reviewers call the monthly Starter price one of the worst values among VPNs, which pushes buyers into long upfront commitments.
Antivirus and identity extras inflate the price
One and One+ bundle antivirus, alerts and Incogni data removal, which raise the price over VPN-only rivals, and some extras such as identity theft coverage are US-only (excluding New York) while Incogni covers only the US, UK, EU, Switzerland and Canada.
Surfshark keeps disconnecting
Reddit and Trustpilot users report connections dropping after 20 minutes or so, games and Steam disconnecting, and the client sometimes not warning that the tunnel is down. Surfshark staff's standard answer is to switch server and change the protocol to WireGuard.
Surfshark not connecting or stuck on connecting
The app hangs on 'Connecting' or fails immediately on some networks. Surfshark's help center lists blocked protocols, IPv6 (which Surfshark does not support), antivirus or other VPN apps and outdated app versions as the causes, so this is common enough to have per-platform guides.
Surfshark not working with Netflix (proxy error)
Netflix and other streaming services intermittently detect Surfshark and show the proxy/unblocker error (m7111-5059) or keep loading. Reviewers say libraries in the US, UK and Japan usually work, but only on some servers, and Surfshark's own help center has a dedicated multi-step fix guide.
Websites and Google show CAPTCHAs or block Surfshark
Users report many more Cloudflare and Google CAPTCHAs and outright blocks on Surfshark IPs, with one long-time Reddit user saying it got noticeably worse within weeks. Blocked websites and streaming services appear in roughly a third of recent 1-star Trustpilot reviews.
Hard to find how to cancel Surfshark
Cancelling auto-renewal and asking for a refund are separate steps, and the method depends on where you paid (website, App Store, Google Play or Amazon). Surfshark's own guide routes web customers through live chat for a cancellation link, which users find confusing.
Why is Surfshark so slow?
Speeds drop sharply on distant or busy servers and on the Automatic protocol setting; reviewers note Surfshark trails NordVPN slightly and struggles with latency. Surfshark's own fix is to pick a nearby server manually and force WireGuard.
Surfshark customer service unhelpful on refunds
Nine of twenty recent 1-star Trustpilot reviews describe support as slow, scripted or unhelpful, mostly in refund and cancellation disputes; one complains support has shifted to AI. Live chat starts with a bot (Sharkbot), and one 2026 review says email is the default channel.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Surfshark.
Surprise renewal charge after two cheap years
Users who paid around $2/month forget the term end date and are charged $79-$119 for a year, then learn renewals don't qualify for the money-back guarantee.
Refund refused just after day 30
Buyers try it, find streaming or connection problems, and ask for a refund a few days too late or after a renewal.
Paying for bundle extras you don't use
One and One+ buyers realise the antivirus, alerts or Incogni either overlap with tools they already have or don't cover their country.
Streaming worked at first, then stopped
Netflix or other services start showing proxy errors on servers that used to work, and users cycle through servers to find a working one.
More CAPTCHAs and blocked sites than expected
Everyday browsing gets slower because Google and Cloudflare challenge Surfshark IPs, so users disconnect the VPN or switch providers.
When Surfshark Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Surfshark fails or underperforms.
Restrictive networks (office, school, hotel, some countries)
WireGuard or default ports are blocked, so the app stays on Connecting until you switch to OpenVPN or set up a manual connection.
Networks with IPv6 enabled
Surfshark doesn't support IPv6, which can stop connections or leak traffic until IPv6 is disabled on the device or router.
Streaming on smart TVs and consoles
Netflix proxy errors, NW-2-5 and endless loading show up, and fixes require changing DNS on the TV or router.
Antivirus or another VPN installed
Windows Defender, third-party antivirus or a second VPN/proxy app blocks the tunnel or fights for the route.
Using the 'Fastest server' button on a long-distance connection
Automatic server and protocol choices can land on slow or busy servers; manual nearby servers on WireGuard are faster.
Laptop waking from sleep
The VPN reconnects badly after sleep or hibernation and the kill switch keeps internet blocked until the app or computer is restarted.