why does my vpn keep disconnecting
With online businesses and internet users prioritizing internet security, many are now on the lookout for anonymity tools to keep their identities hidden and to keep themselves secure online. As a result of that, VPNs are gaining more popularity. Many use VPNs on their desktops, laptops, and mobile phones, as well. VPNs secure all these devices against cyber threats and surveillance of all kinds, including government surveillance. This is the reason why many wish to be connected to the VPN at all times. But the problem arises when the VPN disconnects frequently. When the VPN disconnects, it actually doesn’t serve the purpose for which it is meant.

While VPNs slow down internet connection speeds to a certain extent, losing your VPN connection will worsen things as it could result in information loss and your downloads could also fail. If you have always been asking yourself, “Why does my VPN keep disconnecting,” this article will help you understand why your VPN gets disconnected often and what you need to do to prevent it from disconnecting.

The following are a few reasons why a VPN disconnects often.

Antivirus/ Anti-spyware/ Firewall

If you have installed antivirus software in your system, it could be the reason why your VPN keeps disconnecting frequently. You can try disabling your antivirus, Firewall, or the anti-spyware program and connect to the VPN to check if your VPN connection still drops often. If the connection is stable, then you no longer have to worry about it. You just have to add your VPN as an exception while enabling your antivirus or other programs again. But if the problem still persists, you will need to look for a different solution.

Internet Connection

Before you check other things, try checking your internet connection. To check your internet speeds, disconnect the VPN and then check if your internet connection is stable. If your internet connection drops even after you disable your VPN, then the issue is not with the VPN but your internet connection. In this case, you will need to get in touch with your ISP to get your issue fixed.

Overcrowded Network

When you are connected to a network that is congested, for eg. public WiFi networks in coffee shops, airports, apartments, etc. your VPN connection is more likely to become unstable and it will get disconnected often. In order to prevent this from happening, you can connect to a network that is less crowded so that your VPN connection will be stable. Alternatively, you can switch to a different network to check if the issue still persists.

Location of the VPN Server

In some cases, you may have a strong VPN connection when you are connected to a server within your country. For eg., if you are in Canada and you try to connect to a Canadian server, your connection will be strong. But if you try to connect to a server in Australia and if your VPN connection drops very often, then the problem is with your VPN provider. If this happens, you will need to understand that it is high time you need to look for a better VPN provider.

If you would like to know more about trustworthy VPN services that will offer reliable connections, we recommend reading our article on Best VPN Services.

VPN Protocol

Try changing VPN protocols if changing servers doesn’t work as the VPN protocol you are connected to may be the reason why there are VPN disconnection issues. If you are connected to the L2TP protocol, you can try switching to the PPTP protocol to check whether your connection is stable. By switching between servers, you can figure out which protocol offers you a stable VPN connection.

Click here to know more about VPN protocols.

Version of the VPN Software/App

Using an older version of the VPN app could be the reason why your VPN is getting disconnected often. You can try installing the most recent version of the VPN software to check if the issue is resolved. Likewise, you can also try connecting the VPN on a different device to see if there are VPN disconnection issues. If the VPN works flawlessly on the other device, you can uninstall the VPN app and try installing it again.

DNS Settings

DNS settings could be the reason why your connection is getting disconnected often. If you are a Mac user you should also clear your DNS cache. Try changing your DNS settings to check if you are able to overcome VPN connection issues.

Go for a Different VPN Provider

If you have tried all the above and nothing worked, you will have to try a different VPN service. Likewise, you will face disconnection issues if you use a free VPN. You will experience slow speeds and your connection may not be stable. If you are using a free VPN, it is time to switch to a premium VPN service to keep your connection secure and stable. Free VPNs may not have a good server network as a result of which you will be forced to connect to an overcrowded server. Likewise, bandwidth and speed will be limited. You cannot expect a secure connection with a free VPN. For unlimited bandwidth, fast speeds, kill switch, top-notch security features, and secure connections, you will need a reliable VPN like the ones mentioned below.

Remember to look for the following features while choosing a VPN.

  • Good sever network
  • Strong encryption, preferably 256-bit encryption
  • Security features like DNS leak protection, kill switch, and DDoS protection
  • No-log policy
  • App availability
  • Device compatibility
  • Protocol options
  • Good number of simultaneous connections
  • Customer support
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Unblocking capabilities
Now, let’s see what are the top VPNs we would recommend when it comes to providing reliable connections.

Top VPNs that Offer Reliable VPN Connections

Summary

VPN disconnection issues could be frustrating. You will need to be aware of the reasons why VPN disconnects to make sure you do not lose your VPN connection and browse the web over an unsecure internet connection. We hope this article helped you understand why your VPN disconnects frequently and how to prevent your VPN from getting disconnected often.