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How to fix unstable connection issues on Linux

Updated:

In this tutorial, you will learn what might be the reason for connectivity issues on your Linux machine and how to fix them.

We will cover the following steps:

  1. Try other server locations
  2. Try a different protocol
  3. Disable potentially interfering apps
  4. Change the default DNS on your Linux
  5. Remove potential safety controls from your router
  6. Disable the IPv6

Try other server locations

For various reasons, like server load or technical issues on the server, one location might provide a more stable connection than others. Connect to a different country to see if that makes a difference.

Try a different protocol

You will find different protocols available on the Surfshark client for Linux. If you have noticed stability issues when using the UDP protocol, try switching to the other one and checking if that helps.

Disable potentially interfering apps

Some apps might have taken over network controls on your device. This can sometimes interfere with Surfshark (or any other VPN) connection. 

This applies to anti-virus software, other VPNs, firewalls, and file-sharing apps. If you have any of those, try disabling them. Then reboot your device and see if the connection gets any better.

Change the default DNS on your Linux

If your PC is using a DNS from your Internet Service Provider, that might be the reason why you experience connectivity issues. Changing your default DNS to Surfshark DNS is worth taking a shot. See how to configure custom DNS on a Linux device.

Use the following DNS addresses:
DNS 1: 162.252.172.57
DNS 2: 149.154.159.92

Remove potential safety controls from your router

Some Internet Providers tend to provide their routers with parental/security controls enabled by default. Try disabling them with the following steps:

  1. Log in to your router.
  2. Look for the security (or similar) tab.
  3. Check if there are some security features or parental controls enabled. If yes, disable them.
  4. Also, you may want to change the default DNS to OpenDNS or any other that you prefer.

Here are Surfshark's DNS addresses:

DNS 1: 162.252.172.57
DNS 2: 149.154.159.92

Disable IPv6

IPv6 is a networking system that some internet networks might have. Surfshark does not support IPv6 at the moment, so if you have it on your network, connectivity issues may arise. 

See if you have IPv6 on your network, and if you need to, read how to disable IPv6 on your Linux device.



 

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