Struggling to get your Surfshark VPN to connect can be super frustrating, especially when you’re just trying to browse privately or access content from another region. Trust me, we’ve all been there! The good news is that most of the time, the problem isn’t a huge deal, and there are some straightforward steps you can take to get things running smoothly again. If your Surfshark VPN is giving you a “connection error,” “unable to connect,” or “not connecting” message, don’t sweat it. Usually, it boils down to things like your internet connection, a server glitch, outdated software, or other apps on your device getting in the way. We’ll walk you through everything, from the quickest fixes to more in-depth solutions, so you can get back to safe and uninterrupted online activity. Think of this as your personal troubleshooting guide to kick those connection woes to the curb.

Table of Contents

Common Reasons Your Surfshark VPN Won’t Connect

Before we jump into fixing things, it’s really helpful to understand why your Surfshark VPN might be acting up. Knowing the root cause can save you a lot of time. Here are the usual suspects when your Surfshark VPN is unable to connect:

Your Internet Connection is Playing Tricks: This might sound obvious, but a shaky or non-existent internet connection is often the main culprit. Your VPN needs a stable internet base to build its secure tunnel. If your regular internet isn’t working, Surfshark won’t either.
Server Shenanigans: Sometimes, the issue isn’t on your end at all. VPN servers can get overcrowded, go down for maintenance, or just experience technical glitches. With over 3200 servers in 100 countries, Surfshark has a massive network. But even with such a large infrastructure, individual servers can have temporary hiccups.
Outdated App or Software: Just like any other app, your Surfshark VPN client needs to be kept up-to-date. Older versions might have bugs or not be compatible with the latest network security changes, leading to connectivity problems.
Interfering Apps Antivirus, Firewalls, Other VPNs: This is a big one! Security software like antiviruses or firewalls even Windows Defender! can sometimes mistakenly flag your VPN as a threat and block its connection. Also, if you have other VPNs or network-modifying tools installed, they can conflict with Surfshark and prevent it from connecting.
VPN Protocol Problems: Surfshark uses different VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Sometimes, a specific protocol might be struggling to get through network restrictions on your local network.
IPv6 Enabled: Here’s a technical one: Surfshark primarily works with IPv4. If your device has IPv6 enabled, it can sometimes cause a “Surfshark VPN connection error” or prevent it from connecting properly.
DNS Issues: Problems with your Domain Name System DNS settings can also mess with your VPN’s ability to connect or resolve website addresses. This might show up as a “Server IP address could not be found” error.
Network Restrictions Especially in Certain Regions: In some countries or on certain highly restricted networks like at work or school, VPN traffic might be actively blocked or throttled, making it hard for Surfshark to establish a connection.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide for Surfshark VPN Connectivity

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and get your Surfshark VPN back in action. We’ll start with the simplest fixes and move to the more involved ones. Remember to try one step at a time and then test if Surfshark connects.

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Check Your Internet Connection First

Seriously, don’t skip this! Before you dive into complex VPN settings, make sure your basic internet is working.

Disconnect Surfshark: If it’s trying to connect, disconnect it completely.
Open a Browser: Try to visit a few websites without the VPN. Do they load?
Run a Speed Test: Websites like Speedtest.net can give you a quick check of your connection’s health.
Restart Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This often clears up minor network glitches.
Try a Different Network: If possible, try connecting to Surfshark on a different network – maybe your phone’s mobile hotspot, a friend’s Wi-Fi, or a wired Ethernet connection. If it works on another network, then the issue is likely with your primary network’s settings or restrictions.

Restart Everything

This is the classic tech support advice for a reason – it often works!

Restart the Surfshark App: Close the app completely and open it again.
Restart Your Device: Give your computer, phone, or tablet a full reboot. This can clear temporary system glitches that might be blocking the VPN.

Switch Servers and Protocols

Sometimes a specific server or the way Surfshark tries to connect its protocol can be the issue.

Try a Different Server Location: Open your Surfshark app and try connecting to a different server. If you were trying to connect to a server in New York, try one in Dallas, or even a completely different country like Canada or the UK. Servers can get overcrowded or experience temporary issues.
Change VPN Protocols: This is a powerful troubleshooting step.
- Open the Surfshark app.
- Go to Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol.
- Try OpenVPN UDP: This protocol is often recommended for bypassing network restrictions and generally offers good speed and stability. If that doesn’t work, try OpenVPN TCP, which is more stable but might be a bit slower.
- Try WireGuard: Known for its speed, WireGuard is a great all-around option.
- Try IKEv2: This protocol is generally fast and secure, and it’s particularly good for mobile devices because it handles network changes well.
- Experiment with each available protocol and see if any of them establish a connection.

Update Your Surfshark App

An outdated app can definitely lead to a “Surfshark VPN not connecting” error. Developers are constantly pushing updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and adapt to new network conditions.

Check for Updates in the App: Many Surfshark apps have an “Update” or “Check for Updates” option in their settings.
Reinstall for Latest Version: If you can’t find an update option or suspect your app is significantly outdated, reinstalling is a surefire way to get the latest version.
- For Windows: Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program, find Surfshark, and uninstall it. Remember to look for and uninstall any Surfshark TUN or TAP adapters if they’re there. Then download the latest version from the official Surfshark website.
- For Android: Long-press the app icon, select “Uninstall,” then download it again from the Google Play Store or Surfshark’s website.
- For iOS: Long-press the app icon, tap “Remove App,” then reinstall from the App Store.
- For macOS: You might need to drag the app to the Trash, then download the latest version from the Surfshark website.

Disable Interfering Software

Antivirus programs, firewalls, and even other VPNs can get in the way of Surfshark making a connection. Unlocking Twitter (X) with Surfshark VPN: Your Ultimate Guide to Privacy and Freedom

Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall: Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software or firewall and then attempt to connect Surfshark. If it connects, you’ve found your culprit! You’ll then need to add Surfshark to your security software’s exception or whitelist.
- Windows Defender: For Windows users, make sure Windows Defender isn’t blocking Surfshark. You can add an exclusion for the Surfshark application.
Uninstall Other VPNs/Network Tools: If you have any other VPN applications or proxy tools installed, uninstall them. They can create conflicting network configurations.
Check Ad-Blockers Especially Browser Extensions: Some ad-blocker extensions or even Surfshark’s own CleanWeb feature especially older versions or if it’s conflicting with other blockers can sometimes interfere with VPN connections or specific websites when the VPN is active. Try disabling them temporarily, particularly for browser extension issues. If CleanWeb is causing issues, you can disable it in Surfshark’s settings.

Turn Off IPv6

Many VPNs, including Surfshark, primarily use IPv4. Having IPv6 enabled on your device can sometimes cause connection issues.

You’ll need to go into your device’s network settings to disable IPv6. The steps vary by operating system e.g., in Windows, it’s usually under Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings > Properties of your connection.

Clear DNS Cache and Adjust DNS Settings

DNS issues can lead to “Server IP address could not be found” errors, even if your VPN seems connected.

Flush DNS Cache:
- Windows: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns then press Enter.
- macOS: Open Terminal and type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache. sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder then press Enter you’ll need your password.
Custom DNS Settings: You can try configuring your DNS settings manually to a public DNS server like Google DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 or Cloudflare DNS 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 in your device’s network adapter settings. This can sometimes help bypass ISP-level DNS blocking.

Reinstall Surfshark The Clean Slate Approach

If you’ve tried everything above and your Surfshark VPN still won’t connect, a complete reinstall can often fix deeply rooted software issues.

Follow the specific uninstallation steps for your operating system Windows, Android, iOS, macOS to ensure you remove all traces of the app. Then, download the latest version from the official Surfshark website and install it freshly.

Reset Network Settings

This is a more drastic step but can resolve persistent network configuration conflicts that affect VPN connectivity.

Android: Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
iOS: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Note: This will reset all your Wi-Fi passwords and mobile data settings, so be prepared to re-enter them.

Consider Manual Setup

For users in highly restricted networks or countries where VPN usage is heavily monitored, connecting with the standard app might be challenging. Surfshark offers manual setup guides using OpenVPN or WireGuard configurations. This bypasses the app’s standard connection methods and can sometimes be more effective. How to Get Surfshark VPN Working on Your Samsung Smart TV (The Real Talk Guide)

You’ll typically download configuration files from your Surfshark account page and use a third-party OpenVPN client or WireGuard application. This is a bit more technical, so check Surfshark’s official support guides for detailed instructions if you think this applies to your situation.

Contact Surfshark Support

If you’ve gone through all these steps and your Surfshark VPN is still unable to connect, it’s time to reach out to the experts. Surfshark has a 24/7 live chat and email support. They can provide personalized troubleshooting, check for server-side issues, or offer specific configurations for your device and network.

Visit their website, access the Help Center, or use the Live Chat option. When you contact them, be ready to explain what you’ve tried so far – it helps them narrow down the problem quickly!

What If Surfshark Connects but There’s No Internet?

Sometimes, your Surfshark app might show “Connected,” but then you can’t access any websites or services. This is often referred to as “Surfshark VPN connected but no internet.” Here’s what to check:

Check for IP/DNS Leaks: Even if it says connected, your real IP or DNS might be leaking, meaning the VPN isn’t truly protecting you or routing traffic correctly. Use Surfshark’s own IP leak test page or a third-party tool like whatismyipaddress.com to verify your IP address matches the VPN server location. Also, check for DNS leaks. If there’s a leak, try switching servers or protocols again.
Kill Switch Activation: Surfshark has a Kill Switch feature that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly. While great for security, it can sometimes get stuck or misbehave, making it seem like you have no internet even when connected. Try temporarily disabling the Kill Switch in Surfshark settings to see if that resolves the “no internet” issue.
DNS Problems Again: Even if connected, DNS issues can prevent websites from resolving. Try flushing your DNS cache or setting custom DNS servers as mentioned above.
Specific Server Overload: A server might be “connected” but so overloaded or experiencing issues that it can’t handle traffic effectively. Switch to a different server.
Conflicting Software: Double-check that no other software is interfering. This can include firewalls that block internet traffic while the VPN is active.

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Troubleshooting Surfshark Browser Extensions

If your Surfshark browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge is unable to connect or causing issues, here are a few things to consider:

Check the Main App: First, ensure your main Surfshark desktop or mobile app is not running simultaneously with conflicting settings, or that the extension is properly linked to your account.
Disable Other Extensions: Other browser extensions, especially ad-blockers or security tools, can conflict with the Surfshark extension. Try disabling them one by one to see if the issue resolves.
Disable CleanWeb within the Extension: Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature which blocks ads and trackers can sometimes interfere, especially if you have other ad-blockers active. Try turning off CleanWeb within the Surfshark extension settings and see if that helps.
Try a Different Browser: If you’re having trouble with Chrome, try the extension on Firefox or Edge to see if the problem is browser-specific.
Reinstall the Extension: Remove the Surfshark extension from your browser and then reinstall it from your browser’s official store. This ensures you have the latest version and a clean installation.
Reinstall the Browser: As a last resort, if issues persist only with extensions, reinstalling the web browser itself can sometimes fix deeper conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Surfshark VPN connection error” mean?

A “Surfshark VPN connection error” generally means that the Surfshark application is unable to establish a secure tunnel to its servers. This can happen for various reasons, including unstable internet, server issues, outdated app versions, or interference from other software on your device.

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Why is my Surfshark VPN not connecting on my phone Android/iOS?

If Surfshark isn’t connecting on your phone, common causes include an unstable mobile data or Wi-Fi connection, an outdated app, or conflicting settings. Try restarting the app and your phone, switching to a different server or protocol IKEv2 is often good for mobile, checking your network settings, and ensuring no other VPN profiles are active. Reinstalling the app from your device’s app store can also help.

How do I reset my Surfshark VPN app?

To effectively “reset” your Surfshark VPN app, the simplest and most thorough method is to uninstall it completely and then reinstall the latest version. This ensures all old configurations and potential bugs are removed. For Windows, use “Uninstall a program” in Control Panel. For Android/iOS, long-press the app icon and choose to remove/uninstall it.

Can my antivirus or firewall block Surfshark?

Yes, absolutely! Antivirus programs and firewalls are designed to protect your device, but they can sometimes be overly cautious and block legitimate applications like VPNs. They might see Surfshark’s network modifications as a security threat. Temporarily disabling your antivirus/firewall to test, and then adding Surfshark to its exception list, is a common fix.

What VPN protocol should I use if Surfshark is unable to connect?

If you’re facing connection issues, it’s a good idea to experiment with different protocols. OpenVPN UDP is often recommended as a robust option for bypassing network restrictions. If that doesn’t work, try WireGuard for speed or IKEv2 for stability, especially on mobile devices. You can change protocols in the Surfshark app’s settings under “VPN Settings”.

How can I check if my Surfshark VPN is actually working?

After connecting to Surfshark, you can verify it’s working by performing an IP leak test or a DNS leak test. Visit Surfshark’s official IP leak test page or a reliable third-party site like whatismyipaddress.com. Your displayed IP address and location should match the Surfshark server you connected to, not your actual physical location. If it does, your VPN is functioning correctly. Surfshark vpn tiers

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Stuck with Surfshark? Here’s How to Fix Your VPN When It Won’t Connect