How to Check if Your VPN Is Working

November 26, 2025 By Nick Anderson No Comments 6 minutes

By shrouding a user’s web traffic signals, VPNs essentially hide their IP address and obfuscate all online traffic from it. Aside from creating privacy for web users, they have also added benefits like making it possible to unlock content, sites, and various services from other regions. This means geo restrictions can be bypassed, and users can open up an entire world of services they may ordinarily have been precluded from.

This can all be done while protecting users from prying eyes, scammers, and online snoopers. However, in order to enjoy all these benefits, VPNs have to be working at all times. If a signal is lost or a VPN stops working for whatever reason, all its benefits essentially fall away. To combat this, here are some valuable insights and tips on how to know if your VPN is working.  

Note: To see if your VPN is working, check if your IP address changes, test for any DNS leaks, and make sure your connection stays safe. FastestVPN makes these checks easy, helping you stay protected and private whenever you go online.

Testing Your VPN on Safe Sites

One of the quickest and easiest ways to know if your VPN is working is to test it on safe sites. Many fit this description. Examples like WhatIsMyIP or IPLocation help confirm your IP address, but can also confirm if your visible location has changed. This is a crucial way to determine if your VPN is working, as VPNs hide signals by rerouting your web traffic through other servers in different locations. 

You can also try out some entertainment sites that are usually georestricted. Popular options include e-commerce sites or streaming services. Many VPN users change their location in order to access Netflix content from markets like the US, since this comes with more movies to choose from than most other places. Another popular category of online entertainment for VPN users is online casinos.  

According to eSportsInsider’s analysis, in places like Thailand or Korea, accessing casino sites via a casino VPN is popular since regions like these heavily restrict or completely ban locals from gambling. To combat this, regions like these now even have a new genre of online casinos aimed at their markets, known as Bypass Sites. These are basically online casinos that can be accessed by using safe bypass methods, including VPNs. Many sites like these are safe to use, and experts recommend using a professional iGaming review site to find one.  

If you are able to access a site from a usually geo-restricted region, this is also a clear indication that your VPN service is working as it should. If you are confirming your VPN service by checking IP addresses, some users prefer running these checks using different servers. This is to monitor how the results change. For example, using a server in Toronto will give you a Canadian IP address.   

DNS leak tests are another check that can be done. These confirm if your device is correctly sending data outside of the VPN tunnel. There are a few safe sites that can be used to do this check. DNSLeakTest or IPLeak are prominent examples and provide simple tools for this purpose that even beginner VPN users should have no trouble using. If these servers match the VPN provider, this indicates that the connection is secure. However, if your home provider shows up, it can indicate that your VPN is not working correctly.   

A further check involves DNS leak tests. These tests confirm whether your device is sending any data outside the VPN tunnel. Safe sites such as DNSLeakTest or IPLeak offer simple tools for this. Click the test button and wait for the results. If the DNS servers shown match the VPN provider, the connection is secure. If your home provider appears, the VPN might not be running correctly. 

Checking for VPN Drops While Browsing

A VPN can slip offline without warning. A quick browser refresh helps catch these drops. Load a site that shows your IP address. If the location returns to your real one, the VPN is inactive. Some VPN apps send alerts when this happens, though not all do. A manual check can save you from browsing unprotected, or you can check on add-on services like password managers to see if they are still active. 

Long sessions create more chances for drops. Many people keep a tab open with an IP checker during streaming or gaming sessions. A glance every so often confirms everything stays active. A drop that lasts seconds might still reveal personal details. Regular checks protect against this. 

Another useful move is to open different types of sites to see whether any block your connection. Some government sites reject VPN traffic. Some streaming services do the same. If these pages load without complaint, the VPN might be off. A working VPN usually triggers messages on such sites. These signs help you spot issues quickly. 

Some browsers allow extensions that indicate changes in network routing. While not perfect, these alerts can offer quick hints. If the extension shows shifts that do not match your chosen server, something might be wrong. Closing the browser, reconnecting to the VPN, and opening a new session can fix the issue. 

Mobile devices can behave differently from laptops. In some cases, apps can block or override VPN settings. Short tests on both Wi Fi and mobile data help confirm the connection stays active in different situations. Many people rely on their phones for travel. A quick check before logging into public Wi Fi networks prevents surprises. 

Situations Where a VPN Might Fail Without Warning

There are times when a VPN fails quietly. Routers can reset during the night. Power cuts can force devices back onto standard connections. Software updates can interrupt an active session. These moments create gaps where your real IP becomes visible. 

Running a few manual tests in the morning helps catch these shifts. A brief visit to an IP verification site can reveal whether the VPN loads on startup. People who leave their computers on for long periods benefit from this habit. 

Public Wi Fi networks can block some VPN protocols. This can cause the app to show a connection even though the traffic is not routed correctly. A quick IP check solves this problem. Some users switch to mobile data in these cases for extra security. 

Conclusion

Checking whether a VPN is working takes only a few minutes. Simple tests on safe sites help confirm your visible location, DNS details, and connection strength. A few clever habits protect you from drops and sudden changes. These steps offer a safer browsing experience and help you feel more confident before using services that require privacy.