The simplest way to check if your VPN is working

The fastest check is to visit a website that shows your IP address before and after turning on your VPN. Open your browser, go to whatismyipaddress.com, and write down the IP address shown. Then turn on your VPN, refresh the page, and check again. If the IP address changed, your VPN is working — the website now sees the VPN server's address instead of your real one.

If the IP address stayed the same, your VPN is not routing your traffic. This usually means the VPN app did not actually connect, even though it may show a "connected" status. Close the app completely, restart it, and try the check again. If it still shows your real IP, there is a problem with the connection itself.

This test tells you whether the VPN is masking your location. It does not tell you whether the connection is encrypted or whether data is leaking in other ways — those require different checks — but it answers the most basic question: is the VPN doing its main job right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit whatismyipaddress.com before and after turning on your VPN to see if your IP address changed, which means the VPN is routing your traffic.
  • A VPN that shows "connected" but does not change your IP address is not actually working and needs to be restarted or reinstalled.
  • Check your VPN's settings to make sure it is set to connect automatically or to stay connected if the connection drops, because some apps disconnect without warning.
  • DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks can expose your real location even when your IP address is masked, and you can test for these with specialized leak-checking websites.
  • If your VPN works on one device but not another, the problem is usually the app itself or the device's network settings, not your account.

Why your VPN might show connected but not actually be working

Many VPN apps display a "connected" status even when the connection has failed silently. This happens because the app shows the last known state rather than checking the connection in real time. You may have connected successfully an hour ago, then lost the connection when your network switched from WiFi to mobile data, and the app never told you.

The most common cause is a network interruption. If your WiFi drops for a few seconds, some VPN apps do not automatically reconnect — they just sit in "connected" mode while your traffic goes unprotected. Check your VPN's settings for an option called kill switch, auto-reconnect, or always on. Turn it on. This forces the app to either stay connected or block all internet traffic until it reconnects, so you are never exposed without knowing it.

Another reason is that the VPN server itself may have gone down. If you have been connected to the same server for hours, try manually switching to a different server in your VPN app. Then check whatismyipaddress.com again. If the new server works, the old one was the problem. If neither works, restart the app and your device.

Testing for DNS and WebRTC leaks

Your IP address can be masked while other information still leaks out. A DNS leak happens when your device asks for a website's address using your real internet provider's servers instead of the VPN's encrypted servers. A WebRTC leak happens when your browser reveals your real IP address through a technical feature called WebRTC, even though the VPN is active.

To check for DNS leaks, visit dnsleaktest.com while your VPN is connected. The site will show you which DNS servers are handling your requests. If you see your internet provider's name or your real location, you have a DNS leak. Most VPN apps have a setting to use the VPN's own DNS servers instead — look in settings for "DNS" or "privacy" and make sure it is turned on.

To check for WebRTC leaks, visit browserleaks.com and scroll to the WebRTC section. If your real IP address appears there while your VPN is on, you have a WebRTC leak. In most browsers, you can disable WebRTC in settings, though the steps differ by browser. Firefox users can type about:config in the address bar, search for "media.peerconnection.enabled", and set it to false. Chrome users have fewer built-in options and may need a browser extension to block WebRTC.

Checking your VPN on different devices and networks

If your VPN works on your phone but not your laptop, the problem is not your account or your internet connection — it is the app on that specific device. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the VPN app on the device where it is not working. If that does not fix it, check whether your device's firewall or antivirus software is blocking the VPN. Some security programs treat VPN connections as suspicious and prevent them from starting.

If your VPN does not work on any device when you are on a particular WiFi network — such as at work or school — the network itself may be blocking VPN connections. Many organizations filter traffic to prevent VPN use. You can confirm this by switching to a different network, such as mobile data, and checking whether the VPN connects. If it does, the first network is the problem, and you will need to contact that network's administrator or use a different network.

When you travel to a different country, some VPN servers may be blocked by that country's internet provider. If your VPN suddenly stops working after you arrive somewhere new, try switching to a different server location within your VPN app. If no servers work, contact your VPN provider's support — they can tell you whether that country blocks their service and whether they have workarounds.

What to do if your VPN fails the IP address test

Start by closing the VPN app completely. On Windows, right-click the app in the taskbar and select "Close window". On Mac, click the app name in the menu bar and select "Quit". On phones, swipe up from the bottom (iPhone) or press the back button repeatedly (Android) to close it fully. Then wait 10 seconds and open the app again.

If restarting does not work, check that you are actually logged in. Some VPN apps disconnect you automatically after a period of time or if you have not used them in a while. Open the app and look for a login button or an account section. If you see a login screen, enter your credentials again. If you are already logged in but still not connected, try logging out and logging back in.

If the app still will not connect after restarting and logging back in, uninstall it completely and reinstall it from the official source — the app store for your device or the VPN provider's website. Do not read from a third-party site, as that version may be outdated or modified. After reinstalling, log in and try to connect again, then run the IP address check.

Understanding what a working VPN should look like

A working VPN should show a different IP address every time you check it on whatismyipaddress.com, and that address should belong to the VPN server location you selected, not your real location. If you selected a server in the United Kingdom, the IP address should show a UK location. If you selected one in Japan, it should show Japan. If the location does not match the server you chose, the VPN is not routing through that server — try reconnecting or selecting a different one.

A working VPN should also maintain the same IP address across multiple checks on the same day, as long as you stay connected to the same server. If the IP address changes every time you refresh the page, the VPN is disconnecting and reconnecting constantly, which suggests a network problem or an issue with the VPN app's stability. Contact your VPN provider if this happens repeatedly.

Finally, a working VPN should not noticeably slow down your internet. You may see a small speed reduction — usually 10 to 30 percent — because the VPN adds a step to your connection. If your internet becomes unusable, try switching to a different server. Some servers are overloaded and slow. If all servers are slow, the problem may be your internet connection itself, not the VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check if my VPN is working without visiting a website?

Not reliably. The only way to know whether your real IP address is hidden is to see what information websites receive about you, which requires visiting a website that shows that information. Your VPN app's "connected" status is not enough — many apps show connected when they are not actually routing traffic.

What if whatismyipaddress.com shows my real IP even though my VPN says it is connected?

Close the VPN app completely and restart it. If the IP address is still real after restarting, log out and log back in. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app. If the problem continues, contact your VPN provider — there may be an issue with your account or the servers.

Is it normal for my IP address to change when I switch between VPN servers?

Yes, completely normal. Each VPN server has its own IP address. When you switch servers, you get a new IP address that belongs to that server's location. This is how you know the VPN is actually routing through the server you selected.

Do I need to check my VPN every day to make sure it is working?

No. Once you have confirmed it works, you only need to check again if you suspect a problem — such as if your internet suddenly feels slower or if you notice your real location appearing in a website. If your VPN has a kill switch enabled, it will protect you even if it disconnects without warning.

What should I do if my VPN works at home but not at a coffee shop or library?

The WiFi network is likely blocking VPN connections. Try switching to mobile data to confirm the VPN works on that network. If it does, the coffee shop or library is the problem. You can ask the staff whether they allow VPNs, but many public networks block them intentionally.