How to Know If Your VPN Is Actually Working
You paid for a VPN subscription, clicked "connect," and saw the little green checkmark. But is your real IP address actually hidden? Are you truly anonymous online? Here's how to verify.
The Quick Test
Visit our IP checker while connected to your VPN. If it shows a different IP address and location than your actual home address, your VPN is working.
Pro Tip: Disconnect your VPN and check your IP again. Note the difference. Then reconnect and verify the IP changed back.
Common VPN Leaks to Watch For
- DNS Leaks: Your DNS requests bypass the VPN tunnel
- WebRTC Leaks: Browser technology can expose your real IP
- IPv6 Leaks: Some VPNs don't protect IPv6 traffic
- Kill Switch Failures: If VPN disconnects, traffic may continue unprotected
What to Do If Your VPN Isn't Working
- Try a different VPN server location
- Enable the kill switch in your VPN settings
- Check for split tunneling settings
- Update your VPN app to the latest version
- Contact your VPN provider's support