Struggling with your Surfshark VPN connected but no internet? I know how frustrating it can be when you see that “Connected” message, but your browser just stares back with a blank page or an error. It feels like your digital lifeline has been cut, and all those benefits of a secure, private connection are suddenly out of reach. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this, and it’s a pretty common hiccup that most VPN users encounter at some point. The good news is, for most people, it’s usually something we can fix together with a few straightforward steps. Our goal here is to get you back online securely, browsing, streaming, or working without a hitch. We’ll walk through everything from basic checks to more advanced fixes, ensuring you have all the tools to resolve that pesky “Surfshark connected but no internet” problem.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why Your VPN Connects But Has No Internet

Before we jump into fixing things, it helps to understand why this problem even happens. Think of your VPN as a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. When Surfshark says it’s “connected,” it means the tunnel itself is established between your device and the VPN server. However, if data isn’t flowing through that tunnel to the broader internet, or if something’s blocking it, you get that “no internet” message.

0.0

0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)

Excellent0%

Very good0%

Average0%

Poor0%

Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Amazon.com: Check Amazon for Troubleshooting: Surfshark VPN
Latest Discussions & Reviews:

There are a few usual suspects behind this common “VPN connected but no internet access” issue:

Basic Internet Glitches: Sometimes, it’s not even Surfshark’s fault. Your underlying internet connection might be having a moment, and the VPN is just reflecting that.
Server Overload or Issues: VPN servers can get crowded, or a specific server might be experiencing technical difficulties. Imagine too many cars trying to use the same tunnel at once.
Software Conflicts: Other applications on your device, like firewalls, antivirus programs, or even other VPN software, can clash with Surfshark, preventing traffic from passing through.
Outdated Software: An old version of the Surfshark app or your operating system might have bugs or compatibility issues that block your connection.
VPN Protocol Mismatches: Surfshark uses different “protocols” methods for creating the VPN tunnel. Sometimes, the selected protocol just doesn’t play nice with your network or the server.
DNS Problems: DNS Domain Name System is like the internet’s phone book. If your DNS settings are messed up or if the VPN isn’t correctly handling DNS requests, your browser won’t know where to go.
Network Restrictions: Your ISP, router, or local network like at a school or workplace might have firewalls or settings that specifically block VPN traffic.
Kill Switch Malfunctions: Surfshark’s Kill Switch feature is designed to cut your internet if the VPN drops, protecting your privacy. But sometimes, it can get a little overzealous and keep you offline even when the VPN seems connected.
IPv6 Interference: While Surfshark primarily uses IPv4, if your network is heavily reliant on IPv6 and it’s not handled correctly by the VPN, it can cause problems.

Understanding these potential causes helps us tackle the problem systematically. Now, let’s get into the actual fixes!

Does Surfshark VPN Keep Your Browsing History Private? Let’s Break It Down!

Essential First Steps When Surfshark Connects But No Internet

When you’re hit with that “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet” message, it’s easy to panic. But trust me, starting with these simple checks can often save you a lot of headache.

Check Your Base Internet Connection

This is always step one! Before blaming Surfshark, make sure your regular internet connection is actually working.

Disconnect Surfshark: Completely disconnect from the Surfshark app.
Test Your Internet: Open your web browser and try visiting a few websites, like google.com or a news site.
What if it’s not working? If your internet isn’t working even without Surfshark, then the problem isn’t the VPN. You’ll need to troubleshoot your router or contact your internet service provider ISP. A good quick check is to restart your router.

Restart Everything Router, Device, Surfshark App

This might sound like the oldest tech advice in the book, but seriously, it works wonders for so many issues, including “Surfshark connected but no internet.” It gives everything a fresh start and can clear out temporary glitches.

Restart Surfshark App: Close the Surfshark application completely and then open it again.
Restart Your Device: Reboot your computer, phone, or tablet. This clears system memory and refreshes network components.
Restart Your Router/Modem: Unplug your internet router and modem from power, wait about 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Give them a few minutes to fully boot up and establish a connection before trying Surfshark again.

Try a Different Surfshark Server Location

Think of Surfshark’s servers as different exits from that secure tunnel. If one exit is congested or having an issue, trying another can often get you through. This is one of the quickest and most effective fixes for “no internet when connected to VPN.” Getting Surfshark VPN in Bangladesh: Your Complete Guide to Online Freedom

Open Surfshark: Go to the server selection screen in the app.
Choose a New Server: Pick a server in a different city or even a different country. Try one that’s geographically closer to you first, as these often offer better speeds.
Try Static IP or MultiHop: If regular servers aren’t working, some users find success with Surfshark’s Static IP or MultiHop servers.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Surfshark Connectivity

If the basic steps didn’t do the trick, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and dig a bit deeper into why your “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet” problem persists.

Update Your Surfshark App and Operating System

Running outdated software is a common cause of connection issues, including “Surfshark VPN not connecting.” Developers are constantly releasing updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and adapt to new network restrictions.

Update Surfshark: Check your Surfshark app store Windows Store, macOS App Store, Google Play Store, Apple App Store or the Surfshark website for the latest version of the app. Make sure it’s up to date. Surfshark specifically mentions that their team works on bypassing network restrictions with every update.
Update Your Operating System: Ensure your device’s operating system Windows, macOS, Android, iOS is also updated to the latest version. Sometimes, OS updates include critical network fixes.

Change VPN Protocols

VPN protocols are the rules that determine how your VPN connection is established and maintained. Different protocols have different strengths in terms of speed, security, and ability to bypass restrictions. If you’re experiencing “Surfshark VPN connection error,” switching protocols can often resolve it. Master Surfshark VPN in Brazil: Speed, Security, and Unrestricted Access

Access Protocol Settings: In the Surfshark app, go to Settings -> VPN Settings -> Protocol.
Experiment with Protocols:
- OpenVPN UDP/TCP: This is often a go-to for stability and bypassing restrictions. Try both UDP and TCP.
- WireGuard: Generally faster and more modern, but might not be as good at bypassing certain network blocks.
- IKEv2: Often good for mobile devices and quick reconnection.
Test Each Protocol: Switch to one, connect, and see if your internet works. If not, try another.

Disable Interfering Applications Antivirus, Firewall, Other VPNs

Sometimes, other security software on your device can be too aggressive and mistake your VPN connection for a threat, blocking its access to the internet. This can lead to your “VPN connected but no internet access” problem.

Antivirus/Firewall: Temporarily disable your antivirus software and any third-party firewalls. If your internet starts working with Surfshark, you’ve found the culprit. You’ll then need to add Surfshark as an exception or whitelist it in your security software’s settings. Surfshark notes that their app makes minor connection setting modifications, which some antivirus software might flag.
Other VPNs: If you have any other VPN applications installed even if not currently running, they can cause conflicts. Uninstall them completely, then try Surfshark again.
Ad Blockers/Network Monitoring Tools: Some advanced ad blockers or network monitoring tools can also interfere. Try disabling them.

Turn Off the VPN Kill Switch

Surfshark’s Kill Switch is a great privacy feature, but sometimes it can act up. If it thinks your VPN connection is unstable, it might block your internet even if the VPN shows as “connected.”

Locate Kill Switch Settings: In the Surfshark app, go to Settings -> VPN Settings.
Toggle Off: Find the Kill Switch option and temporarily turn it off.
Test Connection: See if your internet access returns. If it does, there might be a glitch with the Kill Switch, or your connection is actually less stable than Surfshark reports, triggering the Kill Switch.

Clear DNS Cache and Flush DNS

DNS issues are a very common reason for “VPN connected but no internet.” Your computer stores a cache of DNS lookups to speed things up, but if this cache gets corrupted or has old information, it can prevent you from reaching websites even with an active VPN.

Clear Browser Cache/Cookies: Sometimes, your browser’s own cache and cookies can hold onto old location data, conflicting with your VPN. Clear them or try an incognito/private browser window.
Flush DNS Windows:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
3. You should see a message confirming the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
Flush DNS macOS:
1. Open Terminal Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache. sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Enter.
3. Enter your administrator password if prompted.
Restart Device: It’s a good idea to restart your device after flushing the DNS.

Change DNS Settings

If flushing the DNS cache doesn’t work, manually setting your DNS servers can often resolve “no internet when connected to VPN” problems. Your ISP’s default DNS servers might be slow, unreliable, or even block VPN traffic.

Surfshark DNS: Surfshark offers its own DNS servers, which can be configured directly in their app on some devices or manually on your system.
Public DNS Servers: You can try using popular, reliable public DNS servers like Google DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 or Cloudflare DNS 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
How to change DNS Windows:
1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
2. Click on your active network connection’s Properties.
3. Scroll down to “DNS server assignment” and click Edit.
4. Change it from “Automatic DHCP” to Manual.
5. Toggle on IPv4.
6. Enter your preferred DNS server addresses e.g., 8.8.8.8 for Preferred DNS, 8.8.4.4 for Alternate DNS.
7. Click Save.
How to change DNS macOS:
1. Go to System Settings > Network.
2. Select your active connection Wi-Fi or Ethernet and click Details.
3. Go to the DNS tab.
4. Click the + button to add new DNS servers e.g., 8.8.8.8. Remove any existing ones that might be causing issues.
5. Click OK and then Apply.
Restart Device: Restart your device after changing DNS settings.

Disable IPv6

Surfshark, like many VPNs, primarily uses IPv4 for its connections. If your network is heavily configured for IPv6, it can sometimes lead to connectivity conflicts or even IPv6 leaks when connected to the VPN, causing a “no internet” situation. Your Ultimate Guide to Surfshark VPN on Your Router and Android TV Box

Check for IPv6: You can visit a site like surfshark.com/whatismy to see if your network is using IPv6.
Disable IPv6 Windows:
1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
2. Right-click on your active network adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet and select Properties.
3. In the list, uncheck “Internet Protocol Version 6 TCP/IPv6.”
4. Click OK.
Disable IPv6 macOS:
1. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
2. Next to “Configure IPv6,” select Link-local only or Off from the dropdown menu.
Restart Device: Restart your device to ensure changes take effect.

Reset Network Settings

If you’ve tried everything else and your “Surfshark VPN not connecting” or “Surfshark connected but no internet” problem persists, a full network reset can often clear out deeply embedded configuration issues. Be aware that this will reset all your network adapters and settings, meaning you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and reconfigure any custom network setups.

Reset Network Windows:
1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
2. Click “Reset now” and confirm.
3. Your PC will restart.
Reset Network macOS: This is a bit more involved as there isn’t a single “network reset” button. You might need to manually remove network configurations. A simpler option might be to just reinstall the Surfshark app.
Reset Network Mobile – Android/iOS:
1. Android: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
2. iOS: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
After Reset: Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and then try connecting with Surfshark again.

Check for Router Interference VPN Passthrough, Port blocking

Sometimes, your router itself might be the one blocking your VPN connection, leading to a “no internet when connected to VPN” scenario. This is especially true if you’re using an older router or one with strict security settings.

VPN Passthrough: Log into your router’s admin panel usually via a web browser, check your router’s manual for the IP address and login credentials. Look for settings related to “VPN Passthrough” for protocols like PPTP, L2TP, IPSec and ensure they are enabled.
Firewall Settings: Check your router’s firewall settings. If there are any rules that might be blocking VPN traffic or specific ports Surfshark uses ports like 51820 for WireGuard, 1194 for OpenVPN, 500 for IKEv2, you might need to adjust them.
Restart Router: Even if you don’t change settings, a router restart can sometimes help.

Remove Browser Proxies or Try a Different Browser

Browser proxy settings can sometimes conflict with a VPN connection, causing your “VPN connected but cannot access internet” issue.

Disable Proxies Windows:
1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Ensure “Automatically detect settings” is on and “Use a proxy server” manual proxy setup is off.
Disable Proxies macOS:
1. Select your active connection and click Details.
2. Go to the Proxies tab.
3. Uncheck any proxy protocols that are enabled.
Try a Different Browser: Sometimes the issue is specific to your current browser. Try using a different browser e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Edge or an incognito/private window to see if the internet works there. If it does, the problem is likely with your browser’s extensions or settings.

Reinstall the Surfshark Application

If all else fails, a complete reinstall of the Surfshark app can often fix stubborn problems, especially if installation files were corrupted or system changes caused issues.

Uninstall Surfshark: Completely uninstall the Surfshark application from your device. Make sure to remove any leftover files or folders if prompted.
Restart Device: Reboot your device.
Download Fresh: Download the latest version of Surfshark from their official website or your device’s app store.
Reinstall: Install the app and try connecting again.

Mastering Black Ops 6 with Surfshark VPN: Your Guide to Easier Lobbies

When All Else Fails: Contact Surfshark Support

After trying all these troubleshooting steps, if you’re still facing the “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet” problem, it’s definitely time to reach out to Surfshark’s dedicated support team. They are equipped to handle more complex or specific issues that might be related to your account, a particular server, or unique network configurations.

How to Reach Them:
- Live Chat: Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support, which is usually the fastest way to get help.
- Email Support: For more detailed inquiries or if live chat isn’t suitable, you can send them an email.
- Help Center: Their comprehensive Help Center support.surfshark.com has a wealth of FAQs and troubleshooting guides that might offer a solution you missed.
What Information to Provide: To speed up the process, have the following details ready:
- Your device and OS: e.g., Windows 11, iPhone 15, macOS Sonoma.
- Surfshark app version: You can usually find this in the app’s settings or “About” section.
- The exact error message: If you’re seeing one.
- Steps you’ve already tried: List out the troubleshooting steps you’ve followed from this guide.
- Which servers/protocols you’ve tried.
- Your general location and the location you’re trying to connect to.

Their support team is generally quite responsive and can provide personalized guidance to get you back online. In some rare cases, if you’re in a heavily restricted network or country, they might recommend manual connection methods or alternative settings.

Tips for Maintaining a Stable Surfshark Connection

Once you’ve fixed your “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet” issue, you probably want to keep it that way! Here are some practical tips to help maintain a stable and reliable Surfshark connection:

How to Bypass VPN Blocks with Surfshark (and Why You’d Want To!)

Keep Your Software Updated: Make it a habit to regularly update your Surfshark app and your device’s operating system. As we’ve seen, outdated software is a frequent cause of connection hiccups.
Monitor Server Load: When choosing a server, pay attention to its load indicator in the Surfshark app. A less loaded server often means better speeds and more stable connections. If you’re using a server in a very popular location, it might get crowded, leading to slower speeds or disconnections.
Use Recommended Protocols: While it’s good to experiment for troubleshooting, once you find a protocol that works reliably for you like OpenVPN UDP or WireGuard, stick with it.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi Without VPN: Always use your VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. Not only does it protect your data, but connecting without it first and then enabling the VPN can sometimes cause temporary network confusion.
Keep Your System Clean: Regularly scan for malware and keep your device free of unnecessary programs, especially those that interfere with network settings or other VPNs.
Understand Your Network: If you often experience issues on a specific home network, consider checking your router’s firmware and settings. Some routers are more VPN-friendly than others.
Power Cycle Regularly: A simple restart of your router and device every now and then can prevent many minor network issues from escalating.
Be Mindful of Simultaneous Connections: While Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, having too many devices actively using the VPN on the same network can sometimes impact performance or stability if your local internet connection can’t handle the load.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet” problem again and enjoy a smoother, more secure online experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my VPN connected but no internet access?

This usually happens because while your device has established a secure connection to the VPN server the “connected” part, something is preventing your actual internet traffic from flowing through that connection to the wider internet. Common culprits include a poor underlying internet connection, overloaded VPN servers, conflicts with other software like firewalls or antivirus, incorrect VPN protocol settings, or issues with DNS resolution.

Why does my Surfshark VPN say no internet access?

If Surfshark says it’s connected but you have no internet access, it’s likely due to one of several reasons. It could be an outdated Surfshark app, a problem with the specific VPN server you’re trying to use, interference from your device’s firewall or antivirus, a misconfigured VPN protocol, or even a local network restriction. The Surfshark app might be successfully establishing the secure tunnel, but something is blocking the data from reaching its destination through that tunnel.

What Exactly is Surfshark VPN?

What causes Surfshark VPN connection error?

Surfshark VPN connection errors can stem from various sources. These often include an unstable base internet connection, a congested or malfunctioning VPN server, an outdated Surfshark application, conflicts with other VPN clients or security software, incorrect network settings like IPv6 being enabled, or specific network restrictions imposed by your ISP or router. Sometimes, the VPN protocol chosen might also not be compatible with your current network environment.

How do I fix Surfshark not connecting to the internet on Windows?

To fix Surfshark not connecting to the internet on Windows, start by checking your regular internet connection without the VPN. Then, try restarting the Surfshark app, your computer, and your router. Switch to a different Surfshark server and experiment with different VPN protocols OpenVPN UDP/TCP are often good choices. Make sure your Surfshark app is updated and temporarily disable your Windows Firewall or antivirus. You might also need to flush your DNS cache or reset your network settings in Windows.

Can Surfshark VPN be blocked by my ISP?

Yes, unfortunately, your Internet Service Provider ISP can sometimes block VPN connections. Some ISPs or network administrators implement deep packet inspection or other methods to detect and restrict VPN traffic, especially in regions with high internet censorship. If you suspect this is the case, trying different VPN protocols like OpenVPN TCP or Surfshark’s NoBorders mode, if available, switching servers, or even configuring manual connection methods might help bypass these restrictions.

Why is my internet slow when Surfshark is connected?

Slow internet speeds with Surfshark connected can be caused by several factors. The most common reasons include connecting to an overcrowded VPN server, choosing a server that’s geographically very far from you, using a VPN protocol that prioritizes security over speed, or having a slow underlying internet connection to begin with. Your device’s processing power and background applications consuming bandwidth can also contribute to reduced speeds. Try switching to a less crowded, closer server, or a faster protocol like WireGuard for potential improvement. Unlocking the Best Surfshark VPN Deals: Your Ultimate Guide

Partners

Troubleshooting: Surfshark VPN Connected but No Internet