In cases Proton VPN can’t connect, please refer to the following list of solutions. Most of the steps described here can be done without direct support from our support team, but in case you get stuck or don’t know how to handle certain things, we will be there for you.
Server downtimes
If you have connection problems with a single server or country, it’s quite likely a temporary problem or downtime, e.g. for maintenance. We work to ensure maximum server uptime. However once in a while a server may still go down unexpectedly. If the problem persists on all servers, please also check your firewall/ antivirus settings.
System and compatibility issues
Installation
- Make sure Proton VPN is properly installed and that you have granted permission to install the OpenVPN TAP adapter. For detailed instructions on how to install Proton VPN please visit this article.
System time
- If your system time is not set correctly, you might be unable to log into Proton VPN. If your system time is, for example, set to April, 1st, 2005, an SSL certificate from 2007 will be rejected and the connection will fail.
Reinstall Proton VPN
- Sometimes an operating system takes a wrong turn and slows down a program. please uninstall Proton VPN completely and re-install it. The following links have detailed instructions on how to uninstall and install Proton VPN.
Account Problems
Wrong credentials
- Please make sure that you typed your credentials correctly before attempting to connect. Learn more about locating your Proton VPN password.
Expired account
- If your subscription ran out, Proton VPN will not connect to the internet. Please make sure that you have a valid subscription or upgrade your account.
Not connected to the internet while attempting to connect Proton VPN
Please make sure that your internet connection is stable and uninterrupted. If you are using Wi-Fi, please try switching to a cable – Ethernet – connection instead.
Related questions
Does Proton VPN have bandwidth limit?
How to use content streaming services with Proton VPN?
