Why is your VPN not showing up in your network connections?

Have you recently installed a VPN app or set it up manually but it’s not showing up in your network connections? Several factors can cause this, with different reasons and fixes for both Windows and MacOS.

1 You have not configured the VPN correctly

When you install popular VPN apps like NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark and enable the VPN, the app will automatically adjust your network settings and allow you to connect with just one click. If the VPN doesn’t show up in your network connections, or you’re manually setting up a corporate VPN that doesn’t show up, it’s possible that the VPN wasn’t configured correctly.

To rule this out, manually go through the VPN setup process again on Windows or macOS, making sure you’ve entered the correct server address, account name, password, VPN type, and other details. Double-check each item carefully for errors. If misconfiguration caused the problem, manually reconfiguring the VPN should fix it.

2 Problems with your VPN provider

When troubleshooting VPN problems, check if your VPN provider is experiencing downtime due to maintenance or technical issues. Check the status page or support channels for updates. If everything seems normal, visit your VPN provider’s official forum (or DownDetector) to see if other users are encountering the same problem.

If so, the problem probably lies with the provider’s backend. In that case, you’ll have to wait for your provider to sort it out. After the repair, your VPN should reappear in your network connections. However, if there is no mention of an outage and no reports from other users, the problem is probably only on your end. In this case, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

3 A problem with the VPN app or your subscription

The problem may also be caused by a problem with the VPN application or your subscription status. To ensure that the VPN app is not the culprit, install all available updates as outdated versions may contain bugs. Then check your security and privacy settings to verify that the VPN app has the necessary permissions to access and control network settings on Windows or macOS.

Next, log in to the VPN provider’s website and confirm that your subscription has not expired. If your VPN plan limits the number of connected devices, check that you have not exceeded this limit by disconnecting from other devices. VPN providers can also suspend accounts due to payment issues, so make sure everything is in order before proceeding.

4 The firewall blocked the VPN connection

Firewalls regulate incoming and outgoing network traffic and can sometimes block a VPN connection, preventing it from working properly. To rule out this problem, you can whitelist the VPN in your Windows firewall settings to ensure it won’t be blocked or restricted. Make sure both public and private connections are enabled.

On macOS, go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and toggle the switch next to it Firewall. Click next Optionsadd a VPN app by clicking on the plus icon and select Allow all incoming connections. Save the changes and restart the device. If you use a third-party antivirus software, whitelist the VPN in this app.

5 VPN/Internet uses an unusual protocol

VPNs rely on specific protocols to encrypt and transfer data. If your VPN or internet connection uses an unusual protocol that your network or device doesn’t support, it can cause problems. OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard are secure protocols, while L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP are less secure and should be avoided.

To rule this out, select one of the secure protocols in your VPN app and update this change in the manual VPN configuration as mentioned earlier. Although less likely, using outdated Internet protocols could also lead to problems. If your setup uses something older than WPA2, please update your router settings to WPA2 or WPA3 to secure your connection.

Also check that your router is not blocking the VPN protocol in use, which can be verified in the Firewall or VPN Passthrough sections. If so, configure your router to allow the protocol.

6 Administrator permission is required

To properly integrate with your operating system, your VPN needs permissions to access system files, modify network settings, install necessary drivers, and interact with firewalls or security policies. These changes require administrator permissions. Without these rights, the VPN may not be configured properly, causing the visibility issue you are having.

If you are logged in with a standard account, switch to an administrator account. When installing the VPN, run the setup file as an administrator – right-click on the file and select Run as administratorbecause it is often required. On macOS, you must enter an administrator password when prompted.

If the VPN asks for permission to modify firewall or network settings, be sure to approve those actions.

7 Conflict with other VPN connections or clients

If you have multiple VPN applications or configurations installed, your primary VPN connection may not appear in the network settings. These applications or configurations may conflict when trying to control network settings, routing, or DNS management. Each VPN also installs its own drivers, which can cause conflicts.

To resolve this issue, uninstall unused VPN applications or manually remove their configurations from the network settings. If you want to keep them for later use, turn off their auto-connect settings and allow only your primary VPN to connect at startup. Also check Task Manager or Activity Monitor for running VPN apps and turn off any others that may be running.

8 Possible corruption of system files and drivers

Corrupt system files can also prevent your VPN from showing up in network connections. To fix it on Windows, run an SFC scan to fix the files. If that doesn’t help, repair the Windows image using DISM. In macOS, fix disk permissions: open Disk Utility, select your disk and click FIRST AID KITand follow the instructions on the screen. Then reboot your device.

Outdated network drivers can also cause VPN problems. On Windows, download the latest drivers from the provider’s website, then go to Device Manager and search Network adaptersand manually install the drivers. In macOS, you should be able to easily remove driver conflicts and ensure that all system components, including network drivers, are up to date.

9 Reset the network settings and check the necessary services

Misconfigured network settings or inconsistencies in your VPN connection can also cause the problem you are experiencing. To resolve this issue, try resetting your network settings in Windows and macOS. This will clear all saved network connections. You can then set up your VPN connection from scratch.

On Windows, check that essential VPN services such as VPN Auto Connection Manager and the IKE and AuthIP IPsec keying modules are enabled. Open it Services application, right-click each service and select Start or Restart. Although there is no direct option in macOS, restarting the device will ensure that all necessary services work properly.

Hopefully, the above troubleshooting steps will help you resolve the issue. If none of these solutions work, the last resort should be to contact the VPN provider’s customer support and report the problem. Alternatively, try temporarily switching to a different VPN provider to see if that fixes the problem.