There are many reasons why the VPN doesn’t work, and they may be related to external constraints, malfunctions on the side of the provider or the user. But you still need to use VPNs to access Mason Slots or other websites that aren’t available in your country. Here are the main problems you can face.
The Problem Is on the Side of the VPN Provider
Usually, the malfunctions at major service providers are known rather quickly, and within a few minutes you can find on the Internet the first angry messages from users who could not connect to the usual service.
The best place to look for such feedback is on the Downdetector website, where thousands of all kinds of services are monitored in real time, and their users promptly respond to the slightest malfunction.
Problem on the Side of the Internet Service Provider
A particular developer’s VPN, or all similar applications, may be restricted by your ISP. The owners of some public WiFi networks block the use of VPNs.
In this case, it’s recommended to enable mobile data transfer (share the Internet with your smartphone by activating the access point in the settings), try different ways to use the service or switch to another ISP.
Router Doesn’t Support VPN
Some router models don’t support the protocols that are required for certain VPN clients. Few users are aware of this and, accordingly, can not work proactively – even before buying to check the necessary information in the technical specifications of the router.
In this case, you either need to replace it or find a way to fix the problem yourself. If there is a solution, it’s highly likely to be described in thematic forums or in communities where advanced users often respond faster than technical support.
Overloaded Server
Even with free VPNs, you can usually choose from several servers. If the current one does not work or works very slowly, just reconnect. The unavailability of a particular server can be explained by an influx of users, a temporary outage or technical problems.
An Error in the App
VPN services experience crashes, hackers find vulnerabilities and exploit them, and because of this, developers periodically release updates. If the app on your device hasn’t been updated to the latest version, it may work intermittently. In some cases, older versions of the software simply cease to be supported, so it becomes impossible even to run a VPN.
To update the app on your computer, it’s best to download the new version from the official website, and on your mobile device – download updates via Google Play or App Store. On your smartphone or tablet, you may need to reinstall it, but only after completely uninstalling the app.
Outdated Network Drivers
A TAP adapter, a special driver for connecting the VPN-client to the servers, may have problems that prevent a stable VPN connection. In this case, you need to update the network adapter drivers to the current version in the “Device Manager”.
Your Device Is Blocking the VPN
It’s good if the task for which you’re enabling the VPN can be done from both your computer and mobile device. Then you can try connecting from your laptop instead of your smartphone or vice versa. This way you’ll know for sure that the service you need is working, the network settings are OK, and it’s your device that’s the problem.
VPN Isn’t Available in Your Region
VPN work can be blocked by the regulator from the outside, or the creators of the service themselves stopped working and generally provide services in your country or region. In this case, the only correct way out would be to switch to another application – their choice is huge, although the number of free services is constantly decreasing.
The Speed of Data Transfer Via VPN Is Limited
This usually happens with free VPN-clients, which not only limit the width of the data transfer channel but are also insecure. The first problem can be solved by purchasing a paid service or by using more affordable methods – for example, using an Ethernet cable to connect between the router and the end device instead of a WiFi connection.
