The fastest way to check if your VPN is working

Open a browser and go to whatismyipaddress.com or ipleak.net. If your VPN is on, the IP address shown will belong to the VPN server's location, not your actual location. If it shows your real IP address or your actual city, your VPN is not working — either it disconnected or never connected in the first place.

Do this test twice: once with your VPN on, and once with it off. Write down both IP addresses. They should be completely different. If they are the same, your VPN software is running but not actually routing your traffic through the VPN tunnel.

This test takes 30 seconds and tells you whether the basic job — hiding your real IP — is happening. It does not tell you whether the VPN is leaking your data in other ways, but it is the first thing to check.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit whatismyipaddress.com with your VPN on and off; the IP addresses should be completely different.
  • If both show the same IP or your real location, your VPN is not routing traffic correctly.
  • Check your VPN app's connection status indicator — it should show "connected" and display the server location you selected.
  • DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks can happen even when your IP is hidden, so run a leak test at ipleak.net if you need stronger verification.
  • Restart your VPN app and reconnect if the IP test fails; if it still fails after restart, contact your VPN provider's support.

Check your VPN app's connection status

Before you test anything online, look at your VPN software itself. Most VPN apps show a large button or toggle that says "Connected" or "Disconnected". The app should also display which server you are connected to — usually a city name or country code.

If the button says "Disconnected" or shows a red indicator, your VPN is not active. Click the connect button. If it says "Connected" but the IP test above showed your real address, the app may be lying about its status — this happens occasionally with buggy software.

Some VPN apps also show connection speed, data usage, or a list of active protocols. These details do not matter for checking whether it works; the connection status is what matters.

Run a DNS leak test

Your IP address is only one piece of your identity online. Your computer also sends DNS requests — these are queries that translate website names into numbers. If your VPN is not handling DNS correctly, websites can see your real location even though your IP is hidden.

Go to ipleak.net and scroll down to the DNS Leak Test section. Click the button to run the test. The results will show which DNS servers are handling your requests. If you see your internet provider's name (like Comcast or Verizon) or your real city, you have a DNS leak.

A DNS leak does not mean your VPN is completely broken — your IP is still hidden — but it means your VPN is not protecting your browsing as much as it should. Contact your VPN provider and ask them how to fix DNS leaks in their app. Most have a setting to use their own DNS servers instead of your provider's.

Test for WebRTC leaks

WebRTC is a technology that lets websites make video calls and share data directly. Some browsers leak your real IP address through WebRTC even when your VPN is on. This is less common than DNS leaks, but it happens.

The same ipleak.net page tests for WebRTC leaks. Scroll to the WebRTC Leak Test section and run it. If it shows your real IP address or your real location, you have a WebRTC leak. Most VPN apps have a setting to disable WebRTC or block it at the browser level.

If you find a WebRTC leak, check your VPN app's settings for "WebRTC protection" or "leak protection". If your VPN does not have this setting, you can disable WebRTC in your browser instead — the steps differ by browser, but your VPN provider's support page usually explains how.

What to do if your VPN is not working

If the IP test shows your real address, restart your VPN app completely. Close it entirely (not just minimize it), wait 10 seconds, and open it again. Then connect and test again. Many VPN connection problems fix themselves after a restart.

If restarting does not work, check whether your internet connection itself is working. Open a website in your browser without the VPN on — if the website loads, your internet is fine. Then turn the VPN back on and try again.

If your VPN still will not connect after restart, check your VPN app for error messages. Common problems include expired login credentials, a server that is temporarily down, or a firewall blocking the VPN. Your VPN provider's support page usually lists solutions for each error message.

Difference between "connected" and "actually working"

A VPN app can show a green "Connected" button but still leak your real IP or DNS requests. This is why the online tests matter — they show what is actually happening to your traffic, not what the app claims is happening.

If your VPN shows "Connected" but the IP test reveals your real address, the app has a bug or a misconfiguration. This is rare with major VPN providers but does happen. Contact support and describe exactly what you found: "The app shows Connected, but whatismyipaddress.com shows my real IP."

The opposite can also happen: your VPN might disconnect without telling you. This is why checking the IP address regularly — especially before doing something sensitive — is a good habit if you rely on a VPN for privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my VPN show connected but the IP test shows my real address?

Your VPN app may have a bug, or your internet connection may have dropped and reconnected without the app noticing. Restart the app completely and test again. If it happens repeatedly, your VPN software may not be compatible with your operating system or network setup — contact your provider's support.

Is it normal to see a different IP address every time I test?

Yes. Many VPN providers rotate which server you connect through, or they assign different IP addresses to the same server over time. As long as the IP is not your real one and it matches the server location you selected, your VPN is working correctly.

What if ipleak.net shows my real location but a different IP address?

This usually means your VPN is routing traffic through a server in your actual country or region, even though you selected a different location. Check your VPN app to confirm which server you are connected to. If it shows the wrong server, disconnect and reconnect to the correct one.

Do I need to run these tests every time I use my VPN?

No. Run them once when you first set up your VPN to confirm it works. After that, check occasionally — maybe once a month — to catch unexpected disconnects. If you are doing something where privacy is critical, test before you start.

Can a VPN leak my data even if the IP test passes?

The IP test only checks one thing: whether your IP address is hidden. DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks can still happen. Run the full tests at ipleak.net to be thorough, especially if your VPN provider claims to protect against leaks.