Surfshark Web content blocker on Windows

Web content blocker is a Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ feature that allows you to block access to your chosen website categories. These include, but are not limited to, adult, drug, gambling, and weapon websites.

NOTE: As long as the web content blocker feature is on, you cannot access any of the website categories you selected to block.

Set up and use the Surfshark web content blocker feature

1. Click the cogwheel on the bottom left of the Surfshark app to open the Settings.
2. Click Web content blocker.
   
   
   
    
3. Click Set up this device.
   
   
   
    
4. Type in the name of the device and click Next.
   
   
    
5. Check the checkbox next to the categories you want to block. Once you've done this, click Save.
   
   
    
6. Afterward, you will see a notification in the Surfshark app that the Web content blocker is now active.
   
   
   
    

Web content blocker troubleshooting on Windows

The web content blocker will not work if another VPN is active on your device

Disable any VPNs you may have and restart the web content blocker through the Surfshark app.



 

Network availability Issues

You can’t turn the Surfshark Web Content blocker feature on or off without an active internet connection. Therefore, it may not work if there are any underlying network connectivity issues.

What should you do if all websites stop loading?

1. Restart the Web content blocker by turning it off and on again.
2. Turn off any additional VPNs you might have enabled.
3. Restart the surfshark.service and the Surfshark app:
    
   1. Open the Task Manager by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC and choose Task Manager when the menu appears.
   2. Click “More details” to see all the hidden processes and apps.
   3. Look for the Surfshark app and click it to highlight it. Click “End task.” 
   4. Click the “Services” tab on the left side of the Windows Task Manager.
   5. Look for Surfshark.Service and right-click it.
   6. Select “Restart” in the context menu.
   7. Launch the Surfshark application.
       
4. If the Web content blocker is disabled and websites still do not load, follow these steps:
    
   1. Press Windows + S and search for “Control Panel/Network and Sharing Center/Change adapter settings.”
   2. Find active network adapters (not greyed out and without a red cross).
   3. Right-click on the adapter and select Properties.
   4. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click “Properties.”
      
      
      
      NOTE: If Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is unchecked, please check it to enable it, since Surfshark supports IPv4 and IPv4/IPv6 dual networks but not pure IPv6.
   5. Click the check next to “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and “Obtain an IP address automatically” to turn off any custom DNS servers and IP configuration that might interfere.
      
      
       
   6. Restart your computer and try to enable the Web content blocker feature.

Settings Synchronization Delay

The web content blocker settings on your device may not be immediately synchronized with the settings on the Surfshark web application. Synchronization can take up to an hour. Open the Surfshark app and the web content blocker settings screen to force synchronization.

Browser Caching

Due to browser caching, websites may not be blocked immediately after the web content blocker is enabled. The browser may still be displaying a cached version of the page. Check out our guide on how to clear your browser’s cache.