How to test if your VPN is Working in 2026? | Test VPN with 7 EASY steps!

Even after years of using a bunch of different VPNs, I always test whether a new VPN works when connecting to an unsafe network. I don’t want my IP leaking, and neither do you. In this article , I’m going to show you how to test VPN connection and seven steps to fixing any issues you might be having with it.

Testing for IP Leaks

The most common VPN issue is easily IP leaking. Let me show you how to test VPN apps for IP leaks. Let’s say I’m wiring up a VPN disappointment like Hola VPN. My next step would be to go to a website like ipleak.net. On this page, I can see what my current IP address looks like for any third party.

Checking Your IP Address

Now, I’ll just remember this IP address, disable my failure of a VPN, and reload the page. Yep, still the same IP address because this actually is my real IP address. Predictably, Hola VPN didn’t do anything to hide it, which just means that VPN is not working at all. This website should always show a different IP address once you’re connected to a VPN, since IP masking is the VPN’s main priority.

Step 0: Choose a Reliable VPN

Honestly, if you want to avoid connection issues like this, Step 0 is to invest in a good one, a VPN that is. I’ve been using industry-proven providers like NordVPN and Surfshark for ages, and they’ve just been working great. If you want to skip all the troubleshooting, and just get a VPN that works, just check the link in the description, and it’s also going to grant you an exclusive YouTube discount.

Read More: Proton VPN Worth It in 2025? Privacy and Performance

Seven Steps to Fix VPN Issues

Now, that said, after you test VPN connection, you can still use the following seven steps to ensure the IP leak or any other issueස

Step 1: Check for VPN Updates

First of all, you should always check for updates of your VPN apps, because if there are any problems with the app, devs are guaranteed to fix them soon, really. Let’s be real, though. If you are using a good VPN, just enable automatic update check. That’s what I do to spare myself the trouble. Most providers maintain the same structure in their apps, just keep an eye out.

Step 2: Switch Servers or Protocols

The second step is more manual. If you are connected to a VPN, and your IP is leaking, try switching to a different server or just use a different tunneling protocol. It’s a simple fix. Switching servers is a matter of just reconnecting. Now, as for tunneling protocols, most modern VPNs provide a choice of either OpenVPN or WireGuard, plus older options like IKEv2. Are VPNs safe to use with older protocols? I’d say safe enough, but I still recommend relying on newer, more secure protocols.

Step 3: Check Your Network

To be clear, even though I use NordVPN for this example, this issue has never occurred to me with NordVPN, thanks to the Kill Switch and other security features that eliminate this factor. Step 3 is to check your network. If you’re connecting to a restricted network in a school, office, or a public café, a normal VPN connection might be blacklisted by the organization that owns the network. In that case, you should either use a different network or utilize features that hide VPN from third parties. For instance, NordVPN obfuscation servers exist exactly for this purpose.

Step 4: Resolve Software Conflicts

Step 4 is a bit complicated. Sometimes there’s other software like other VPNs, antiviruses, and even built-in firewalls that may create conflicts with your VPN app. You will have to either disable them or fix the conflicts. This is not easy, especially if you have no idea where to start. Since this is a very personalized issue, I recommend you contact a specialist that can help you there.

Step 5: Reinstall the VPN App

Now, Step 5, way more mundane, and you might have heard a variation of that from a local tech support guy. But instead of turning a VPN off and then on again, my advice is to cleanly just reinstall the app. The clean part is important. Sometimes, leftover files are exactly the cause of disruption, you’ll have to use a third-party app like Revo Uninstaller to make sure the new installation is completely fresh.

Step 6: Change Your DNS

Now, we’re getting to more technical steps with Step 6, as it’s all about changing your DNS. I’m not going to go in-depth about what DNS is and how it works. Just follow the steps you see on the screen right now, or just simply use the guide from the provider’s website. Most VPNs have those. For example, these steps I’m showing you are from a NordVPN DNS change guide. Just keep in mind that using a custom DNS like Cloudflare could interfere with streaming or torrenting.

Step 7: Contact Customer Support

I hope that by now your issue is fixed because Step 7 is pure desperation. It’s about reaching out to a customer support team, and yeah, nobody likes that. I’m lucky enough NordVPN does have a 24/7 live chat, I don’t have to wait long for help to come. But if your VPN’s customer support can only be contacted with an e-mail, it could take multiple days to fix just one issue. Yikes.

Why Choose NordVPN or Surfshark?

As you might have noticed, these seven steps by itself are a pain to do. Instead, I recommend pivoting back to the Step 0 that I mentioned in the beginning. With a strong VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark, you’re not going to have to deal with IP leaks at all. Besides, both come with thousands of servers and some of the fastest performance on the market. It’s just more than enough to have top-of-the-line streaming and torrenting experience, at least in my experience.

Unique Features of NordVPN and Surfshark

But of course, I’m not easily swayed by raw numbers alone. These providers managed to catch my attention through advanced, unique features for instance, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro is a great ad blocker with anti-malware capacity, and Meshnet is a powerful replacement for apps like Hamachi or Radmin, providing me with encrypted LAN connections. Even that pails in comparison to Surfshark, though, since this is the only VPN I’ve encountered to offer a built-in antivirus. Plus, it’s been officially recognized by independent researchers as a proper anti-malware solution.

Get Started with a Reliable VPN

If you’d like to try these providers for yourself and see if you find features that make them worthwhile to you, just check the link in the description or these QR codes. All deals there contain exclusive YouTube discounts, you’re going to save money as well.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know which VPN to use and what steps to follow to avoid VPN connection issues such as IP leaks, let me know if you have any more questions. Additionally, you can learn more about top VPN providers and which VPN is best for you in this article.