First, find which layer is failing
NordVPN's general article sends you to the troubleshooting page for the way you connect, so first decide whether the problem is the device app or a router tunnel. [12] Use this table, then follow the matching section in order and check after each step.
| What you see | Likely layer | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| App says connected, pages time out | App, server or DNS | Device-app steps below [1][2] |
| Pages load with VPN paused, fail with it on | DNS or Real-time protection | Custom DNS off, DNS leak test [2] |
| New hotel Wi-Fi, nothing loads at all | Captive portal blocked by Kill Switch | Captive portal steps [5] |
| Every device behind the router is offline | Router tunnel or router kill switch | GL.iNet steps [7] |
| Only fails in some countries or campuses | VPN blocking | NordWhisper and obfuscated servers [6] |
Device app: NordVPN's documented order
NordVPN's Windows article lists these steps, testing in an incognito window after each: if you used Secure my connection, manually connect to several specific countries instead; update the app from the cogwheel menu; make sure NordVPN is on your antivirus exclusions list; set the protocol to Auto (Recommended) under Connection; pause Real-time protection for a set time; restart the device. [1]
The last step is a network reset from the app's diagnostics. NordVPN warns that it also resets saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, VPN and APN settings, so note your Wi-Fi passwords first. [1] Its extra tips are to restart the router, check for other VPNs running on the computer, and see whether other devices on the same network have the problem; if they do, try a different network. [1]
Connected, but websites or apps fail
When the tunnel is up but sites fail, NordVPN's steps are: pause the VPN and check the site loads without it; run a DNS leak test and look for the message that you are connected to NordVPN; if it is missing, turn off Custom DNS in the app and on your router. Then connect to a different server location, and temporarily turn off Real-time protection features one at a time (on Linux, nordvpn set protection off). [2]
Further tips from the same article: try all connection protocols, clear the browser cache or use a private window, reinstall the app, try another browser, and add NordVPN to your antivirus exclusions. As a stopgap, split tunneling in the browser extension can exclude one site. [2]
NordVPN's DNS servers are 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100. The apps use them automatically while connected; enter them by hand only in a third-party client or if app DNS setup is the problem. [3]
Kill switch and hotel login pages
A kill switch that is doing its job looks exactly like no internet. On Windows, Internet Kill Switch cuts the connection when you are disconnected from NordVPN servers; on Android, Kill Switch blocks all internet when there is no VPN connection; on Linux, the client disables system-wide internet if the VPN breaks or you disconnect, and nordvpn set killswitch off turns it off. [4]
For hotel, airport and cruise Wi-Fi, NordVPN's captive portal steps are: turn off Auto-connect (on Windows, under Settings, Connection and security), turn off Kill Switch and disconnect, join the Wi-Fi and finish the login in a browser, confirm the internet works, then reconnect and re-enable Kill Switch. If the portal will not appear, visit a plain http address such as example.com, because https sites will not trigger the redirect, or forget and rejoin the network. [5]
If the portal loads but the VPN still will not connect afterwards, the network may be blocking VPNs. NordVPN's order there is NordWhisper, Obfuscated servers, OpenVPN TCP, network reset, then manual IKEv2. [6]
GL.iNet router: fixes that differ from the app
On GL.iNet firmware 4.7 and earlier, Block Non-VPN Traffic (called Kill Switch in some versions) blocks every device on the router when the VPN is disabled or disconnected; turn it off under VPN, VPN Dashboard, VPN Client, Global Options. On 4.8 and later, each tunnel has a Tunnel Kill Switch that is on by default, set from the gear icon next to the tunnel, and Policy Mode has an Enhanced Kill Switch tied to All Other Traffic. [7]
If the tunnel never comes up, recheck the login. GL.iNet's NordVPN WireGuard preset uses an access token from your Nord Account, shown only once, so generate a new one if you are unsure it was copied correctly. [8] NordVPN's OpenVPN route needs its service credentials from the manual setup page, not your account password. [9] Obfuscated servers are no longer reachable through manual OpenVPN, so do not expect them on the router. [11]
Avoid stacking the NordVPN app on a laptop on top of a router that already runs a NordVPN tunnel. NordVPN's own tips include checking for other VPNs running on the computer. [1] It also limits a single server to five devices, each on a different protocol, which a doubled setup can run into. [10]
Checklist
Work down the list and test after each line.
- Pause NordVPN: does the site load? If not, the network itself is the problem.
- Connect to a specific country instead of the quick-connect option.
- Set protocol to Auto, then try each protocol.
- Turn off Custom DNS in the app and the router; run a DNS leak test.
- Pause Real-time protection features one at a time.
- On new Wi-Fi: Auto-connect and Kill Switch off, log in, then reconnect.
- On a GL.iNet router: check Block Non-VPN Traffic or the Tunnel Kill Switch, and regenerate the access token if the tunnel will not start.
- Do not run the app and a router tunnel at the same time on one device.
Questions before you decide
Why does NordVPN say connected but no websites load?
NordVPN's support article says to pause the VPN and check whether the site loads without it, then run a DNS leak test. If the result does not show you connected to NordVPN, turn off Custom DNS in the app and on your router. Next steps are another server location and temporarily turning off Real-time protection features one at a time.
Which DNS servers should I use with NordVPN?
NordVPN lists 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100. Its apps switch to these automatically while connected; you only enter them by hand in third-party clients such as a generic OpenVPN client, or if DNS setup in the app is causing problems.
Why can't I reach the hotel login page with NordVPN on?
NordVPN says Kill Switch blocks all non-VPN traffic, which is what stops the captive portal from appearing, and Auto-connect also prevents the portal from loading. Turn off Auto-connect and Kill Switch, disconnect, log in to the Wi-Fi, confirm the internet works, then reconnect and turn Kill Switch back on.
My GL.iNet router lost internet when the NordVPN tunnel dropped. Why?
GL.iNet says that with Block Non-VPN Traffic enabled (firmware 4.7 and earlier), all devices on the router lose internet whenever the VPN is disabled or disconnected. On 4.8 and later a Tunnel Kill Switch is on by default for each tunnel and is set from the tunnel's options.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- NordVPN Support: My internet disconnects when using a VPN on Windows Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: I can't access websites, or apps are not working with NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: What are NordVPN DNS server addresses? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: NordVPN Kill Switch - how does it work? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How to log in to a captive portal Wi-Fi network while using NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: Troubleshooting VPN connection in a country with internet restrictions Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet docs: Block Non-VPN Traffic Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet docs: WireGuard Client Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: GL.iNet setup with NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: How many devices can I use with NordVPN? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: NordVPN Obfuscated Servers are getting an upgrade - what changed? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordVPN Support: My internet disconnects when using NordVPN Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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