Cannot connect to a VPN server location

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The troubleshooting steps below are for users who cannot connect to an ExpressVPN server location.

Note: If you can connect to a server location but cannot access certain websites or online servers, please contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for direct assistance.

If the ExpressVPN application is running properly, but you still cannot connect to our VPN gateway, ExpressVPN will display the following error message:

For Windows and Mac

connection failed on expressvpn 5.x for mac

For Android

android-connection-failed

For iOS

ipad-not-connected

For Windows (version 3.x)

sorry, we were unable to connect

Troubleshooting steps

After each step, check if the problem is resolved.

You can also contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

  1. Make sure your internet connection is active
  2. Try connecting to another ExpressVPN Location
  3. Try disabling your firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program
  4. Download the latest version of ExpressVPN
  5. Try changing the protocol
  6. Send in your ExpressVPN log file or diagnostics
  7. Resolve your log file errors
  8. If you run into the Android Tun Missing Driver error…
  9. Cannot connect on router

Make sure your internet connection is active

To test whether your internet connection is active, disconnect from ExpressVPN and try to access a website regularly.

If you are able to access the internet while disconnected from ExpressVPN, move on to the next step.

If you are unable to access the internet even when disconnected from ExpressVPN, you will need to check your internet connection. For Windows users, please perform the following checks too.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Try connecting to another ExpressVPN Location

If you can access the internet when disconnected from ExpressVPN but cannot connect to an ExpressVPN server location, choose a different server location from the list of locations.

You can also consult this guide to choosing the best server location for your needs.

Connect to a different server location for…

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Try disabling your firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program

Your VPN connection might be blocked by a firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program.

To test this, disable these programs and see if you can connect to an ExpressVPN server location. If you are able to connect, do one of the following:

  • If you know how to configure the program that’s blocking the connection, configure it to allow ExpressVPN. Depending on the program, you may need to change the security level from High to Medium, grant an exception to ExpressVPN or to UDP ports 1194-1204, or set it to Trust ExpressVPN. Consult the instructions for your own firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program for details.
  • If you have the option to reinstall the program that’s blocking your VPN connection, installing it after ExpressVPN is already installed should get it to allow ExpressVPN to connect. Do the following:
    1. Uninstall ExpressVPN
    2. Uninstall the program that’s blocking the VPN connection
    3. Install ExpressVPN
    4. Install the program that’s blocking the VPN connection

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Download the latest version of ExpressVPN

  1. Quit the version of ExpressVPN you are running
  2. Uninstall your app
    1. Uninstall instructions for ExpressVPN Windows App
    2. Uninstall instructions for ExpressVPN Mac App
    3. Uninstall instructions for ExpressVPN Linux App
    4. Uninstall instructions for ExpressVPN iOS App
    5. Uninstall instructions for ExpressVPN Android App
  3. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account
  4. Select Set Up ExpressVPN
  5. Find and download the latest version of the ExpressVPN app for your device
  6. Set up your ExpressVPN app
    1. Setup instructions for ExpressVPN Windows App
    2. Setup instructions for ExpressVPN Mac App
    3. Setup instructions for ExpressVPN Linux App
    4. Setup instructions for ExpressVPN iOS App
    5. Setup instructions for ExpressVPN Android App
  7. Connect to a VPN server location
    1. Connection instructions for ExpressVPN Windows App
    2. Connection instructions for ExpressVPN Mac app
    3. Connection instructions for ExpressVPN Linux app
    4. Connection instructions for ExpressVPN iOS app
    5. Connection instructions for ExpressVPN Android app

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Try changing the protocol

Important: Before changing the protocol, try restarting your computer or mobile device and then reconnecting to ExpressVPN.

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server.

By default, ExpressVPN uses the UDP protocol, which is often blocked in some countries, especially in the Middle East. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option.

If you need to change protocols, please choose the protocols in the following order:

  1. Auto
  2. IKEv2 (on iOS)
  3. OpenVPN TCP
  4. SSTP (on Windows)
  5. L2TP
  6. PPTP

Note: PPTP and L2TP-IPsec provide weak security benefits and should only be used for anonymization or for changing locations.

Note: ExpressVPN does not recommend using L2TP or PPTP unless absolutely necessary. These protocols offer only minimal security.

How to change the protocol for the…

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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 Change the protocol for the ExpressVPN Windows App 3.x:

Click Options.

mainmenu

Under “Change Protocol,” choose the protocol you want to use, then click Back to locations list.

protocols

Back to Try changing the protocol
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Send in your ExpressVPN log file or diagnostics

Your ExpressVPN log file or diagnostics keeps a record that shows what might be causing your connection to fail.

Save the log file or diagnostics and email it as an attachment to the ExpressVPN Support Team at support@expressvpn.zendesk.com.

For ExpressVPN 6.x

To save your diagnostics, click the hamburger menu (≡) > Diagnostics > Save to File.

mac diagnostics

For ExpressVPN 5.x

To save your diagnostics, click the ellipsis (…) > Diagnostics > Save Diagnostics.

save diagnostics

For ExpressVPN 4.x

In the ExpressVPN window, click Save Log.

view log connected

For ExpressVPN 3.x

In the ExpressVPN window, click Save Log.

view log connected

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Resolve your log file errors

Are you tech-savvy? Find out what the error messages mean and resolve the issue yourself.

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If you run into the Android Tun Missing Driver error…

If the ExpressVPN app is working on your Android device but you encounter the Android Tun Missing Driver error, learn how to resolve the Android Tun Missing Driving error.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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Cannot connect on router

If you have problems with your router or with the ExpressVPN app for routers, it is best to contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat.

This is because of the huge variation in router models and firmware.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team via live chat for immediate assistance.

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