I can't connect to Surfshark

Updated: December 11, 2023 14:49

In this article, we will examine the most common issues you may encounter when connecting to Surfshark and how to solve them.

We will go through these solutions:

Test different networks
Change the connection protocol
Disable possibly interfering apps
Update the Surfshark app

Test different networks

First of all, check if you can connect your device to the VPN on other networks. Try all the possible options: Wi-Fi, Ethernet (if possible), and mobile hotspots. If you need a guide, here’s our article on how to use a mobile hotspot.

If you cannot connect to any of these, the connection may be blocked by something. In this case, make sure to check if the IPv6 protocol is not enabled on your network, as it may cause various connection issues. You can learn more in our article Does Surfshark support IPv6?

Change the connection protocol

Go to the Surfshark application and click on Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol.

Here, you will find all of the available protocols, including OpenVPN UDP/TCP and WireGuard.

NOTE: This does not apply to all router setups or Linux devices, but we still recommend trying what is available.

Disable possibly interfering apps

Your antivirus program or a different VPN application is another thing that may be blocking your connection.

Make sure that your antivirus is disabled and any other VPN application that may be installed is removed.

Update the Surfshark app

You may have an outdated Surfshark application. As various network restrictions are always created, our team is working on bypassing them in every single update.

Updating your app will help solve this issue if this is the root cause of connectivity issues.