In this guide, you'll learn how to fix internet connection problems that happen when you connect to Surfshark VPN.
Try other locations
Sometimes, a specific server location might be experiencing issues or be overloaded. Try connecting to a few different server locations to see if the problem persists.
Change the connection protocol
Certain VPN protocols can be blocked by your network or ISP, leading to connectivity problems. Switching to a different protocol can often resolve this. Experiment with a few to see which one works best.
To change the VPN protocol, follow these steps:
- Open the Surfshark application.
- Click on Settings.
- Click on VPN Settings.
- Find the Protocol section. Here, you will find all available protocols.
Learn more what protocols you can use with Surfshark.
Disable possibly interfering apps
Other software on your device can clash with SurfsharkVPN and cause connection issues.
- Your antivirus program might be flagging your VPN as a threat. Try adding the SurfsharkVPN app as an exception in your antivirus settings. Most antivirus software has a section for exclusions or whitelisting.
- If you have other VPN applications or system-wide ad blockers installed directly on your device, they can interfere. Temporarily disable or even uninstall them to see if it resolves the issue.
Disable IPv6
At the moment, Surfshark does not support the IPv6 protocol. In some situations, having IPv6 enabled on your network can complicate connections to VPN servers. Disabling it may improve your overall connectivity experience.
Select your device from the list below for detailed instructions on how to disable IPv6:
Note: while it's not possible to disable IPv6 on an iOS device, you can turn it off on your router via the admin panel or by contacting your internet service provider.
Update or reinstall the application
Ensure your Surfshark application is up to date, as an outdated version may lead to connection difficulties. Our team constantly bypasses various network restrictions with each release, so be sure to update your app.
If the application is indeed the newest released version, try to fully reinstall the Surfshark application.
Select your device from the list below for detailed instructions on how to reinstall the Surfshark application:
Reboot your device
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary network issues or software conflicts. Turn your device off completely, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. Once it's fully booted, try connecting to the VPN again.