Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Connecting on Windows PC/Mac/iPhone - MiniTool (2024)

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By Vera | Follow |Last Updated

Is ExpressVPN not connecting on iPhone, Android phone, Mac, or Windows PC? What should you do if ExpressVPN won’t connect or work? Take it easy and go to find solutions from this post. Here, MiniTool collects multiple ways to solve this internet issue.

ExpressVPN Not Connecting to Internet

ExpressVPN is a VPN service that has gained much popularity due to its high speed, security, and powerful features. It can be used on various platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, etc. Although it is excellent, this doesn’t mean it is exempted from malfunctions and issues.

When using ExpressVPN, you may run into a situation – ExpressVPN not connecting. On the screen, you may see an error message like: “Not Connected” or “Unable to Connect”. Sometimes ExpressVPN gets stuck on the “connecting” state or takes a long time to connect. Even sometimes you encounter this situation – ExpressVPN connected but not working.

Well then, what should you do if ExpressVPN not working/connecting happens on your PC, Mac, or phone? Go to find some useful solutions here.

Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Connecting Mac, Windows, iPhone, & Android

Check Your Internet Connection

This is the first thing you should do. If there is no stable internet connection, ExpressVPN won’t connect or work properly. Just disable ExpressVPN and go to check the network by visiting a page in the web browser. If you can search the internet, try other methods.

Tips:

If you run into an internet issue on Windows, refer to this post - What To Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect To A Network Or WiFi.

Switch to Another Server Location

In some situations, servers in the network may encounter some technical issues. You can try to use another server location when you can’t connect to ExpressVPN. To do this thing:

  1. Launch ExpressVPN and sign in to this VPN service.
  2. Click the three-horizontal-lines menu and choose VPN Locations.
  3. Choose a server from Recommended or All Locations.

Alternatively, when seeing the error “Not Connected”, you can also enter the interface of choosing a server location by double-clicking the current server location.

Change ExpressVPN’s Protocol

When ExpressVPN not working or connecting happens, changing to another protocol may be useful to fix the issue, and here you can also have a shot.

  1. In ExpressVPN, click the menu icon to choose Options.
  2. Under the Protocol tab, choose another protocol although this VPN service recommends Automatic.
  3. Then click OK and connect to a server to see if ExpressVPN VPN can connect.

Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Connecting on Windows PC/Mac/iPhone - MiniTool (1)

Upgrade ExpressVPN to Its Latest Version

If you are running an old version of ExpressVPN, make sure you upgrade it to the latest version. Just go to visit the official website of ExpressVPN to download the installation file for your device and install it. Then, reconnect this VPN to a server to see if it can work. If the issue of ExpressVPN not connecting still appears, try another fix below.

Related post: ExpressVPN Download & Install for Windows/Mac/Chrome Browser

Disable Anti-Malware and Firewall

If you run anti-malware when using ExpressVPN, it may block the VPN connection. To make sure of a successful connection, you should disable this software. Also, disable the firewall.

On your mobile device, you can uninstall ExpressVPN, uninstall the antivirus program and reinstall ExpressVPN. If you are using a Windows PC, you can disable Windows Defender Firewall by following the post – How to Disable and Enable Windows Defender Firewall.

Send Diagnostic Information

If all of these ways cannot fix your issue, you can contact the support team. Just click the menu icon to choose Help & Support > Diagnostic Information. Then, click Contact Support, check the box of Include diagnostic information, type in the issue you are encountering, and click Send to Support.

Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Connecting on Windows PC/Mac/iPhone - MiniTool (2)

What Is Atlas VPN? How to Free Download Atlas VPN for Use?What is Atlas VPN? How to free download Atlas VPN for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, etc.? Go to find details from this post.Read More

Bottom Line

That’s the information about ExpressVPN not connecting to internet. If ExpressVPN won’t connect to a server, try these fixes mentioned above. Hope this post could help you. Of course, if you find some other useful solutions, welcome to share them with us.

About The Author

Position: Columnist

Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 7 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition management, PC data recovery, video conversion, as well as PC backup & restore, helping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare times, she likes shopping, playing games and reading some articles.

Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Connecting on Windows PC/Mac/iPhone - MiniTool (2024)

FAQs

Why is my ExpressVPN not connecting to my computer? ›

Check your VPN settings and open ports. Ensure your VPN settings are correctly configured and the ports open. Disable firewall or antivirus. Your firewall or antivirus software may be blocking your VPN connection.

Why is ExpressVPN not connecting on Iphone? ›

Reconnect to the server if the app disconnects

If your device's screen has been turned off for a while, the ExpressVPN app might disconnect. To connect again, open the app and connect to your preferred VPN server location. Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

Why is my ExpressVPN not connecting to the internet Mac? ›

Go to "System Preferences" on your Mac, then select "Security & Privacy." Under the "General" tab, make sure that the ExpressVPN app is allowed to run. If it's blocked, you'll need to click the "Open Anyway" button. e. Sometimes, specific servers might be temporarily down or experiencing issues.

Why is my computer not connecting to VPN? ›

If your VPN has its own program, quit the program and restart it to see if that resolves the issue. If the VPN is a browser plug-in, close your browser down and restart it. If restarting doesn't address the problem, try reinstalling the VPN as an additional measure.

How to solve VPN connection problems? ›

If your VPN is not connecting, you can try a few ways to fix the issue:
  1. Check your internet connection. ...
  2. Check your credentials. ...
  3. Check your VPN server status. ...
  4. Check your VPN protocol and ports. ...
  5. Look for VPN software issues. ...
  6. Check the firewall blocking. ...
  7. Restart your VPN app. ...
  8. Reinstall the latest version of your VPN app.

How do I get ExpressVPN to auto connect Windows? ›

You can configure whether ExpressVPN automatically connects after your PC starts up. , then click Options. In the General tab, check (or uncheck) the box for Launch ExpressVPN on Windows startup. You can also configure ExpressVPN to connect to the last used location when you launch the app.

Why is VPN not connecting on my iPhone? ›

Sometimes, a VPN profile may become corrupted or misconfigured, causing connectivity issues. Turn off your VPN app. Go to iPhone Settings and navigate to the General tab, then scroll down and tap on VPN & Device Management and remove all VPN profiles. Relaunch the VPN app and allow it to configure a new profile.

Why is ExpressVPN not activating? ›

If you are still unable to activate the ExpressVPN app after changing your DNS server, try connecting your device to another Wi-Fi network you haven't connected to before. If the same issue persists, please contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

How do I test my ExpressVPN connection? ›

Head to ExpressVPN's DNS leak test page. It will show you if you are connected to ExpressVPN, and it will list the IP addresses and countries of the servers you're connected to. If you are using ExpressVPN, only the ExpressVPN server should be listed.

Why am I unable to connect to internet on VPN? ›

To fix VPN connection problems, you can try restarting your VPN client, resetting your network settings, changing the VPN server location, checking for updates, and contacting your VPN provider's support team for assistance. If the issue persists, you may need to troubleshoot your network configuration or hardware.

Why is VPN not connecting on Mac? ›

Check firewall settings: Ensure that the firewall is not blocking the VPN connection. Make sure that the VPN ports are open and the firewall is configured to allow traffic to pass through. Restart network services: Try restarting the network services on the Macbook Pro.

How do I stop ExpressVPN from blocking my internet? ›

Troubleshooting steps
  1. Download the latest version of ExpressVPN.
  2. Connect to a different VPN server location.
  3. Change your VPN protocol.
  4. Add ExpressVPN as an exception to your antivirus or online security application.
  5. Disable your proxy settings.
  6. Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team.
Sep 5, 2023

Why is my ExpressVPN not connecting? ›

The likely causes for these issues include: The VPN server location you are trying to connect to is under maintenance. The VPN connection is blocked by your antivirus or online security application. Not using the latest version of the ExpressVPN app.

What is blocking my VPN connection? ›

VPNs typically get blocked due to government censorship, copyright concerns, streaming location restrictions, or school and workplace restrictions.

Why is always on VPN unable to connect? ›

This could be because one or more network devices, such as routers, firewalls, or the Network Address Translation (NAT) between your computer and the remote server isn't configured to allow VPN connections. Contact your administrator or your service provider to determine which device may be causing the problem.

How do I connect my ExpressVPN to my computer? ›

How to set up a Windows PC VPN
  1. Sign up for ExpressVPN. Visit the order page and select the option that's right for you. ...
  2. Download a Windows VPN app. You'll immediately be invited to download the app for the Windows device you're using. ...
  3. Connect to a VPN server location.

Why does my ExpressVPN keep disconnecting? ›

The likely causes for this include: Interference by internet service providers. Poor connectivity at the chosen VPN server location. Outgoing packet transmission interference from your antivirus or online security application.

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