You fire up ExpressVPN, expecting that familiar green “connected” button, but instead you get stuck on a loading screen. Or maybe it connects for a few seconds before dropping out completely. Frustrating, right?
VPN issues can feel like hitting a brick wall, especially when you need secure browsing right now. Whether you’re trying to stream your favorite show, protect your data on public WiFi, or access work files remotely, a non-functional VPN throws a wrench in your plans. But here’s some relief: most ExpressVPN problems have straightforward fixes you can handle yourself in just a few minutes.
This guide walks you through exactly why ExpressVPN stops working and gives you practical steps to get back online. You’ll learn what’s happening behind the scenes, what typically causes these hiccups, and how to fix them without needing a computer science degree.
What’s Actually Happening When ExpressVPN Won’t Connect
ExpressVPN works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and one of their servers scattered across 105 countries. Think of it like a private underground pathway that keeps your internet traffic hidden from prying eyes. When this connection fails, your device can’t establish that secure pathway, leaving you stuck with either no internet at all or an unsecured connection that defeats the whole purpose of using a VPN.
Several things can interrupt this process. Your internet connection might be unstable, the VPN server you’re trying to reach could be overloaded or under maintenance, or your firewall might be blocking the connection thinking it’s a threat. Sometimes the VPN software itself gets corrupted or outdated, creating conflicts that prevent proper functioning.
If you ignore a malfunctioning VPN, you’re essentially browsing without protection. Your internet service provider can see every website you visit. Hackers on public networks can potentially intercept your data. Streaming services can detect your real location and block content. For remote workers, this means you might lose access to company resources that require VPN authentication.
The impact extends beyond just inconvenience. Banking transactions become riskier. Your browsing history becomes visible to third parties. Geo-restricted content stays locked. Plus, if you’re traveling internationally, you might lose access to services that are blocked in certain countries. Getting your VPN working again isn’t just about convenience; it’s about maintaining your digital privacy and access.
Express VPN Not Working: Likely Causes
Understanding what’s breaking your connection makes fixing it much easier. Here’s what typically goes wrong and why.
1. Internet Connection Problems
Your VPN needs a stable internet connection to function. If your base internet is shaky, ExpressVPN can’t build that secure tunnel. This happens more often than you’d think, especially if you’re switching between WiFi networks or dealing with spotty mobile data.
You might have internet that seems to work for basic browsing but isn’t stable enough for VPN protocols. These protocols require consistent communication between your device and the server. Even brief interruptions can cause the connection to fail completely.
Testing your base connection before troubleshooting the VPN saves you time. If websites load slowly or keep timing out without the VPN active, your internet itself is the culprit, not ExpressVPN.
2. Outdated VPN Software
ExpressVPN regularly updates its software to improve security, add new features, and fix bugs. Running an old version means you’re missing critical patches that could be causing your connection issues. Sometimes these updates adjust how the VPN communicates with servers, and outdated software simply can’t keep up.
Software companies often phase out support for older versions. If your ExpressVPN app hasn’t been updated in months, it might be trying to connect using protocols that servers no longer accept. This creates a mismatch that results in failed connections or frequent disconnects.
3. Firewall or Antivirus Interference
Your computer’s firewall acts like a security guard, deciding what traffic can enter and exit your system. Sometimes it gets overly protective and blocks VPN connections, mistaking them for suspicious activity. Antivirus software does the same thing, scanning outgoing connections and occasionally flagging VPN traffic as potentially harmful.
This happens because VPNs encrypt your data, making it unreadable to security software. Your firewall sees this encrypted traffic and thinks something’s wrong. The irony is that both your VPN and your firewall are trying to protect you, but they end up working against each other.
Different security programs have varying levels of aggression. Some play nicely with VPNs right out of the box. Others need manual configuration to allow VPN traffic through. If you recently installed new security software or it updated automatically, that timing might coincide with when your VPN stopped working.
4. Server Issues or Overload
ExpressVPN operates thousands of servers globally, but they’re not all available or functioning optimally at every moment. Servers go down for maintenance, get overloaded with too many users, or experience technical problems. If you’re trying to connect to a specific location and that server is having issues, your connection will fail.
Peak usage times can slow servers to a crawl. Think about it: millions of people might be trying to connect to the same popular server location simultaneously, especially servers in countries known for good streaming access. The server simply can’t handle everyone at once.
5. DNS Configuration Conflicts
Domain Name System (DNS) settings tell your device how to translate website names into numerical addresses computers understand. When you use ExpressVPN, it changes these settings to route through their secure DNS servers. But if your device or router has hardcoded DNS settings that conflict with ExpressVPN’s preferences, the connection gets confused and fails.
This particularly affects people who’ve manually changed DNS settings for faster browsing or to bypass certain restrictions. Those custom settings can clash with what ExpressVPN needs to function properly. Your device doesn’t know which DNS instructions to follow, so it follows neither, leaving you disconnected.
Express VPN Not Working: DIY Fixes
Let’s get your VPN back up and running. Try these solutions in order, testing your connection after each one.
1. Check Your Base Internet Connection
Before blaming ExpressVPN, make sure your internet actually works. Disconnect from the VPN completely and try loading a few different websites. Run a quick speed test to see if you’re getting reasonable speeds.
If websites won’t load or your connection is extremely slow, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears temporary glitches that accumulate over time. Wait a couple of minutes for everything to boot up properly before testing again.
Still having problems? Try connecting to a different WiFi network if available, or switch to mobile data temporarily. This tells you whether the issue is with your specific network or something else. If other networks work fine, you might need to contact your internet service provider about the original connection.
2. Switch VPN Server Locations
The server you’re trying to connect to might be having problems. Open ExpressVPN and manually select a different server location. Pick somewhere geographically close to you for better speeds.
ExpressVPN shows recommended locations based on speed and reliability. Use those suggestions rather than always connecting to the same server. If your usual server is in New York, try New Jersey or Washington DC instead. Same general area, but different hardware.
Once connected to a new server, test your connection thoroughly. If it works perfectly, you know the original server was the problem. You can try that server again later after it’s had time to recover or get fixed.
3. Update ExpressVPN to the Latest Version
Open your ExpressVPN app and look for an update option in the settings or help menu. On Windows or Mac, the app usually checks for updates automatically, but you can force a manual check. Download and install any available updates, then restart the app completely.
On mobile devices, head to your app store. Search for ExpressVPN and see if an update button appears instead of “Open.” Install it and give your phone a quick restart afterward.
Updates fix known bugs and improve compatibility with your operating system. That annoying connection problem might already have a solution built into the latest version. Keeping software updated is one of the easiest preventive measures you can take.
4. Change VPN Protocol
ExpressVPN supports multiple connection protocols, which are basically different methods of creating that secure tunnel. If one protocol isn’t working, another might succeed. Go into ExpressVPN settings and look for a protocol option. You’ll typically see choices like Automatic, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway.
Here’s how to switch protocols:
- Open ExpressVPN and click the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines)
- Select “Options” or “Settings”
- Find “Protocol” or “VPN Protocol”
- Change from “Automatic” to a specific protocol like Lightway or OpenVPN UDP
- Try connecting again
Start with Lightway if available, as it’s ExpressVPN’s newest protocol designed for speed and reliability. If that doesn’t work, try OpenVPN UDP, then OpenVPN TCP. Each protocol handles network conditions differently, so one might succeed where others fail.
5. Temporarily Disable Firewall or Antivirus
Your security software might be blocking ExpressVPN’s connection. Try temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus to see if that’s the issue. This is just for testing purposes; you’ll turn it back on in a minute.
On Windows, search for “Windows Defender Firewall” in the start menu, click “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off,” and disable it for private networks. On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, select the Firewall tab, and turn it off. Try connecting to ExpressVPN now.
If the VPN works with security software disabled, that confirms interference. Don’t leave your protection off permanently though. Instead, add ExpressVPN as an exception in your firewall or antivirus settings. Look for “allowed apps” or “exceptions” in your security software and add ExpressVPN to the list. Turn your protection back on and test again. This lets both programs run simultaneously without conflict.
6. Reinstall ExpressVPN Completely
Sometimes the software itself gets corrupted, and a fresh installation fixes everything. Completely uninstall ExpressVPN from your device first. On Windows, use “Add or Remove Programs” in settings. On Mac, drag the ExpressVPN app to the trash and empty it.
Follow these reinstallation steps:
- Download the latest version from ExpressVPN’s official website
- Run the installer and follow the prompts
- Log in with your account credentials
- Try connecting to a recommended server
This gives you a clean slate without any corrupted files or conflicting settings from previous installations. It takes just a few minutes but solves a surprising number of persistent problems.
7. Contact ExpressVPN Support
If you’ve tried everything and nothing works, it’s time to bring in the experts. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support through live chat on their website. They can run diagnostics, check if there are known issues affecting your area, or spot problems you might have missed.
Their support team can also access server-side information you can’t see. Maybe there’s maintenance scheduled, or your account has a specific issue that needs addressing. They’re trained to handle unusual situations and can provide solutions tailored to your exact setup. Don’t spend hours frustrated when professional help is just a chat message away.
Wrapping Up
ExpressVPN problems usually stem from a handful of common issues that you can fix yourself in minutes. Whether it’s your internet connection, outdated software, conflicting security programs, or server troubles, the solutions are straightforward once you know what to look for.
Start with the simplest fixes first: check your internet, switch servers, and update your app. Most connection problems resolve with these basic steps. If you need more intensive solutions like changing protocols or reinstalling, you’ll still have your VPN running again quickly. And remember, ExpressVPN’s support team is always available if you get stuck or encounter something unusual. Your secure, private internet access is too important to stay broken for long.