VPN (Virtual Private Network) helps to protect your data from hackers. Many users report that their VPN is not working. This can be because of Firewall blocks, Outdated cached DNS data, and software incompatibility. You can refer this guide to manually set up or configure a VPN on Windows 11. This tutorial will help you to fix Windows 11 VPN not working.

Here are some reasons why VPN is not working in Windows 11:

  1. Drivers: The system has problematic or corrupted network device drivers
  2. Windows Firewall: It fully blocks the VPN client network causing your VPN connection to fail.
  3. Third-party Apps: Third-party can interfere with VPN clients, causing VPN connection problems.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working

Method 1: Update Windows

Regular Updates to Windows 11 will fix all the issues. If you are facing issues with VPN, then update your Windows.

1. Open the Settings App and go to “Windows Update”.

2. Now, click on “Check for updates“.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Windows Update

3. If update is available then Windows will download and install the new updates.

4. Restart your PC and then check whether your VPN is working or not.

Method 2: Flush your DNS Cache

Flushing the DNS Cache will remove out-of-date or corrupt DNS settings and can help you to fix your issue. Consider the below steps to flush DNS Cache:

1. Open Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.

2. Copy and paste the below command one by one in the sequence it’s shown:

ipconfig /release

Command a1

 

ipconfig/ flushdns

Command a2

ipconfig /renew

Command a3

netsh int ip reset

Command a4

4. Now, message will appear to restart the PC. No need to do.

5. Now, type the below command and hit Enter.

netsh winsock reset

Command a5

6. Restart your PC to apply the changes. Try VPN. If not working, move to the next solution.

Method 3: Fix Windows 11 VPN not working by Reinstalling WAN Miniport Drivers

WAN Miniport Drivers are the software drivers that are used for making network connections or connections to VPN servers. Re-install the WAN Miniport Drivers to solve your problem.

1. Press the Windows Key + X and select “Device Manager”.

Device Manager 1

2. Expand the Network Adapters.

3. Now, right-click on “WAN Miniport (IP)” and select Uninstall Device.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Uninstall the WAN MiniPort Driver

4. Also, un-install WAN MiniPort (IPv6) and WAN MiniPort (PPTP).

5. Restart your PC and it will re-install these drivers. Check whether VPN is working or not.

Method 4: Re-install your VPN

Another reason can be some of the corrupted VPN files or accidently deleted files. Un-install and then re-install the VPN provider which will restore all the necessary files for your VPN. Follow the below steps to do so:

1. Open the Settings App and go to Apps.

2. Now, click on “Installed Apps”.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Uninstall VPN

3. Find the VPN provider’s app. Click on three dots (…).

4. Select Uninstall.

5. Once the app is fully un-installed, download it again from the VPN’s official website and then re-install it.

6. Now, check whether VPN is working or not.

Method 5: Disable IPv6

IPv6 offers benefits over IPv4 but can cause some issues. Disable the IPv6 can help you to solve your problem.

1. Open “View network connections” from the Search menu.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Disable IPv6

2. Now, right-click on “Proton/VPN” and select Properties.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Disable IPv6 1

3. Here, uncheck the “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” box.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Disable IPv6 2

4. Click OK.

Method 6: Disable Proxy Server Settings

A Proxy Server is a gateway between you and the Internet. Some VPN providers comes with Proxy Server functionality. Disable the Proxy Server to solve the issue. Follow the below steps to disable the Proxy Server Settings:

1. Open the Proxy Settings using Search menu.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Proxy Settings

2. Go to Manual Proxy Setup.

If “Use a Proxy Server” is on then click Edit.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Proxy Settings 1

3. Turn off the “Use a Proxy Server”.

4. Click Save and restart your PC. Now, again try your VPN.

Method 7: Disable Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall protects PC and Local Network from malware attacks. Temporarily disable the Windows Firewall to resolve the issue. Follow the steps to disable the Windows Firewall:

1. Open “Windows Defender Firewall” using Search menu.

2. In the left panel, click on “Turn Windows defender Firewall On or Off”.

Windows Defender Firewall

3. Now, check the “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” box.

Windows Defender Firewall 1

4. Click OK.

5. Close the Windows Defender Firewall Window and restart your PC to apply the settings.

Now, try the VPN. If not working, then try the next solution.

Method 8: Change Windows Firewall Settings

Windows Firewall is used to protect your PC from unauthorized network traffic, reducing the risk of problems from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Sometimes your firewall may block your VPN from connecting successfully.

Follow the below steps to configure the firewall to add VPN to authorized list of apps that are allowed to connect through it:

1. Open “Firewall & network protection” from Search menu.

2. Now, click on “Allow an app through the firewall”.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Network Firewall

3. Click on “Change Settings”.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Network Firewall 1

4. Now, click on “Allow another app..”.

5. Click Browse.

Fix: Windows 11 VPN not working - Network Firewall 2

6. Navigate to the location of your VPN app and click Open.

7. Now, click on “Add” to allow VPN through the Windows Firewall.

8. Close the Window and restart your PC to apply the settings you made. Try VPN.

Method 9: Configure UDP (User Datagram Protocol) Encapsulation

Your PC might not able to make an L2TP/IPSec connection to the VPN Server. reconfiguring UDP encapsulation in the Registry Editor can solve this problem. Follow the below steps to configure UDP Encapsulation:

1. Press the Windows Key + R. Type regedit.exe and click OK.

2. Navigate the following path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PolicyAgent

3. Right-click on “PolicyAgent” and select New => DWORD(32-bit) value.

Type “AssumeUDPEncapsulationContextOnSendRule” and press Enter.

UDP Registry Editor

Registry key is created.

4. Now, double-click on “AssumeUDPEncapsulationContextOnSendRule“.

5. Here, set the value to 2 and click OK.

UDP Encapsulation Registry Editor

6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC to apply the settings. Try your VPN again.

All the above solutions will help you to resolve the issue.

That’s It!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *