IPVanish not connecting in 2021

IPVanish not connecting? Well, as with almost any VPN, it isn’t perfect, and every now and then, users run into connectivity issues.

Sometimes, the connectivity issues may be related to your location or ISP. In this case, you could have more luck with another similar service, such as NordVPN.

If you’re an IPVanish user and you can’t connect, don’t worry. This article will run through why you might be struggling to connect and how to work around the problem in 2021.

4 reasons why you can’t connect to IPVanish

IPVanish is well-thought-of in VPN circles, and it’s a hugely popular provider, so there are few chronic connection issues to worry about. Still, customers do sometimes struggle to get online. Here are 4 most common issues which come up when you can’t connect to IPVanish:

1. Basic internet connection problems. Much of the time, when IPVanish won’t connect, the VPN itself isn’t at fault. Instead, the user’s web connection is to blame. So try turning your router on and off, and disconnecting a couple of times. Then test the connection without IPVanish turned on.
2. IPVanish server problems. On its website, IPVanish admits that some customers encounter glitchy servers, and may need to try alternative locations to find the best connection. This is a feature of almost all VPNs, and definitely not specific to IPVanish.
3. Protocol problems. If it’s not the server or your web connection, the fault could lie in the protocol you are using to create the IPVanish VPN tunnel. See below for a quick guide to changing protocols.
4. DNS problems. As noted above, DNS issues can make websites totally inaccessible. In this case, you may need to use IPVanish to set up 3rd party DNS.

What to do when IPVanish won’t connect

1. How to change protocols on IPVanish

Sometimes, protocols are the prime reason for IPVanish not connecting. Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to switch between protocols via the IPVanish client. Here’s how it’s done for Windows users:

1. Open the IPVanish client and enter your login details
2. Click “Settings” under the cogwheel icon on the left
3. Choose the tab “Connection“
4. This menu will show a drop-down list of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and others. The protocol selection depends on your device and OS. Click on the toggle and scroll down the list to change your current selection

2. Change your computer’s User Account Control settings

User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows feature that regularly interrupts VPN connectivity and is easy to turn off. Here’s how to do that on Windows 10:

1. Click “Start” and type “Control Panel” to access this app
2. In the “Control Panel” search field at the top right corner, type “UAC” and click the result
3. On the “User Account Control Settings” screen, choose the option to “Never notify” and press OK
4. Restart Windows and try to log onto IPVanish

3. How to ping an IPVanish server

Another option is to find out whether your computer can communicate with IPVanish servers. If not, the problem probably lies with your connection. Here’s how to do so:

1. Head to the Windows Start Menu
2. Type “Command Prompt” and open it
3. At the prompt, type “ping” followed by the IP address of the server you’d like to connect to, i.e. “ping 123.123.123.123” and hit Enter

4. How to install TAP device

It’s pretty common to experience TAP driver issues that arise because of software conflicts or driver signing issues. One of the more popular cases is when you install multiple VPN tools, which in turn make multiple TAP driver installations. The quickest solution is this:

1. Open the IPVanish client and enter your login details
2. Click “Settings” under the cogwheel icon on the left
3. Choose the tab “Connection“
4. At the bottom, you’ll find “Install/Repair OpenVPN Driver” button. Click it
5. After the message about successful installation, restart IPVanish client and try again

If this didn’t help or if IPVanish was unable to reinstall the TAP drivers on its own, you can follow our advice on manually reinstalling TAP device.

Final thoughts

If you try a few servers and can’t log on, or none of the protocols works, double-check your time and date – and try turning your router on and off.

If none of that works, don’t give up hope. IPVanish has an excellent reputation for customer support, and you can get in touch with their team via their 24/7 live chat.

Above all, don’t panic if IPVanish won’t connect. In 99% of cases, there’s a simple technical fix that requires a few mouse clicks to execute – allowing everyone to enjoy privacy and security without stressing about how to get online.

Recommended reads:

IPVanish review

Alternative VPN services

If your patience ran out and you’d rather try your luck with a different service, here are a few well-established VPN recommendations:

NordVPN

NordVPN starts at $3.71/month and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. It works perfectly with streaming services like Netflix, has a huge 5500 server infrastructure, and is ridiculously fast with their proprietary WireGuard implementation. Plus, it has dedicated servers for torrenting or getting around online censorship. Furthermore, privacy is guaranteed with its independently-audited no-logs policy. You can protect up to six devices with NordVPNs top-notch security.

Try out NordVPN today!

Surfshark

If you want to secure as many devices as possible, Surfshark is the way to go. You can connect an unlimited number of devices and gain access to 3200 servers in 65 countries. Plus, it has the WireGuard tunneling protocol, a kill switch, and a malware blocker. Additionally, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a strong no-logs policy. All for only $2.49/month.

Surf the web safely with Surfshark!

VyprVPN

For the most bang for your buck, check out VyprVPN. For merely $1.66/month, you can secure yourself with a kill switch, the proprietary Chameleon protocol, or try out WireGuard for ridiculous speeds. With 700 servers in 70 countries, you’ll be safe from any online censorship and geo-restrictions. Additionally, VyprVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee and an independently-audited no-logs policy.

Get VyprVPN right now!

FAQ

Why is IPVanish not connecting on Fire Stick?

First, make sure that you are using at least a Second Generation Fire Stick. First Generation Fire Sticks are not supported by IPVanish.

Secondly, check your network connection. It’s recommended to have the connected device in the same room as your router.

Finally, if your network is working fine, clear the IPVanish cache and then restart your Fire Stick device.

Why can't IPVanish connect to a server?

First off, ensure that your internet is working properly with the VPN disconnected. Then, try connecting to a few different server locations. If that doesn’t work, try switching to a different tunneling protocol. If the issue persists, change your DNS server configuration. As a last resort, send your IPVanish diagnostics file to their support team.

How do I reset my IPVanish password?

Visit the official IPVanish website, click “Forgot password” at the bottom of the account page. You’ll be taken to password reset page. Enter the email address associated with your account and click the “Submit” button. You’ll receive an email with further instructions.