If you can’t connect to a VPN server using your iPhone, here are some steps that may help.
You might struggle to establish a connection with the VPN server for several reasons, such as an unsteady internet connection or technical difficulties from your provider. Luckily, implementing the troubleshooting steps below can resolve this issue swiftly.
Conduct Initial Verifications
The first step in troubleshooting is to carry out the following initial checks, which could promptly address the issue:
Close your VPN application forcefully and then restart it.
To eliminate any transient software problems, restart your iPhone.
Make sure that your iPhone is connected to the internet.
Conducting a ping test can help you ascertain the durability of your network connection. In case, the response time is excessively prolonged or during the assessment errors crop up, it implies that your internet may not be steady enough.
Only have one VPN application running simultaneously and ensure to close any other applications that may interrupt the VPN connection.
Ensure that the VPN application has been updated to its most recent version.
If the initial inspections prove futile, move on to the other solutions.
Explore different VPN applications
In case you can’t establish a connection with every available server across various countries, your VPN provider may be facing technical or backend problems. To eliminate the possibility of these issues, simply test another more dependable VPN application and connect to one of its servers instead.
In the event of a successful connection, your primary VPN provider may be responsible. While you wait for them to address the problem, you can continue utilizing the alternative application.
If you are unable to establish a VPN connection using another application, the problem may lie with either your iPhone’s settings or the configuration of the VPN. Therefore, proceed with implementing any remaining solutions.
Resetting the network settings of your iPhone
If the previous troubleshooting methods did not solve the problem, try resetting your iPhone’s network settings. This action will remove any stored data and cache related to networks on your device resulting in a solution for all issues with connectivity. In this regard, it may also address the VPN connection concern you are experiencing.
To accomplish this, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone> Reset and then choose ‘Reset Network Settings.’ After entering your device passcode to confirm the process, try reconnecting to the VPN again. This should provide you with successful connectivity on this occasion.
Make sure your internet service provider is not obstructing your connection
While it’s uncommon, your iPhone may fail to connect with the VPN due to limitations put forth by the ISP. In case resetting network settings isn’t effective, you must consider this as a probable cause.
The best way to test is by connecting either through a cellular network or another Wi-Fi connection and see if changing the internet provider resolves any existing issues.
In case you suspect your ISP, attempt using another VPN application to check if the service is still obstructed. Alternatively, contact your internet provider for assistance or consider switching to a different network supplier that does not enforce VPN restrictions.
Alter the VPN protocol
If manual protocol modification fails to solve the problem, undo the alteration and transition back to automatic.
VPN protocols are guidelines governing data encryption and transmission between your iPhone and the VPN server. The majority of VPN providers offer several protocol options that automatically connect to the most fitting one depending on its intended use case.
Although the default auto mode is usually ideal, it can sometimes malfunction and result in connection issues. If you have also been employing default auto settings for your VPN, consider manually alternating between available protocols instead. Depending on the specifics of your chosen VPN provider, modifying a protocol may require some exploration into the app’s preferences menu.
Access an Alternative Server
At times, if you can’t connect to VPN servers, your VPN service provider could encounter technical glitches with servers in a specific locality. Thus, if you are unable to establish a connection to the servers of your VPN provider situated within a particular nation, endeavor to connect using an alternative server that is accessible.
If your VPN app doesn’t provide access to multiple servers worldwide or you’re unable to connect with all available ones even on a free plan, it’s worth considering alternatives.
Conclusion
Experiencing difficulty establishing a VPN connection can be exasperating.
Nonetheless, you should now comprehend the reasons behind your iPhone’s inability to connect to a remote VPN server or can’t connect to VPN servers you may solve it by following the troubleshooting instructions mentioned earlier.
If none of these fixes proved effective for solving your problem, then consider reinstalling the VPN application or reaching out to your service provider’s customer support team.
