What to Do If Your OpenVPN Connection Keeps Dropping
A VPN connection that keeps disconnecting can be frustrating and disruptive, especially if you rely on OpenVPN for secure remote work or business applications. Frequent drops can be caused by network instability, firewall settings, or VPN server issues. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix OpenVPN connection drops.
🚀 Brought to you by Axio Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider in Scottsdale, Arizona. We help businesses implement secure and stable VPN solutions for remote work and cybersecurity.
📌 Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection
✔ If your internet is unstable or slow, your VPN will disconnect frequently.
✔ Run a speed test at Speedtest.net to check for issues.
✔ Try browsing the web without the VPN to see if your connection is dropping.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Switch from Wi-Fi to a wired (Ethernet) connection for a more stable connection.
✅ Restart your modem and router to refresh the network.
✅ If using Wi-Fi, move closer to the router to improve signal strength.
✅ A stable internet connection is required for a reliable VPN connection!
📌 Step 2: Restart OpenVPN and Your Device
✔ Close OpenVPN Connect completely.
✔ Restart your computer or device.
✔ Reopen OpenVPN Connect and try reconnecting.
✅ A fresh restart can clear connection issues and fix minor software glitches!
📌 Step 3: Change VPN Servers or Locations
✔ If your VPN provider offers multiple server locations, try connecting to a different one.
✔ Some VPN servers may be overloaded, causing slow speeds and disconnections.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Open OpenVPN Connect, go to your server list, and select a different VPN server.
✅ If your company has backup VPN profiles, try importing a different configuration file.
✅ Switching servers can improve stability if the current one is overloaded or experiencing issues!
📌 Step 4: Enable OpenVPN Keep-Alive Settings
✔ OpenVPN has a built-in Keep-Alive feature to prevent dropped connections.
✔ If your VPN connection times out too quickly, enabling Keep-Alive can improve stability.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Open your OpenVPN configuration file (.ovpn) in a text editor.
✅ Add or modify these lines:
keepalive 10 60
reneg-sec 0✅ Save the file and re-import it into OpenVPN Connect.
✅ This helps maintain the VPN session even if there’s temporary packet loss!
📌 Step 5: Check for Firewall or Security Software Blocking OpenVPN
✔ Firewalls and antivirus programs can sometimes block OpenVPN traffic, causing disconnects.
✔ Some networks (hotels, public Wi-Fi, corporate networks) may also restrict VPN connections.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Add OpenVPN Connect to your firewall’s “Allowed Apps” list.
✅ If using Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus, disable VPN blocking settings.
✅ Try changing your VPN protocol from UDP to TCP (see Step 6).
✅ Allowing OpenVPN through security software ensures uninterrupted connectivity!
📌 Step 6: Switch from UDP to TCP Protocol
✔ OpenVPN uses UDP by default, which is faster but less reliable on unstable networks.
✔ Switching to TCP (a more stable protocol) can reduce VPN drops.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Open your .ovpn configuration file and look for this line:
proto udp✅ Change it to:
proto tcp✅ Save the file and re-import it into OpenVPN Connect.
✅ TCP is more reliable for VPN connections, especially on weak or congested networks!
📌 Step 7: Adjust OpenVPN MTU Settings (For Unstable Networks)
✔ If your VPN disconnects due to packet loss, adjusting the MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) can improve stability.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Open your OpenVPN configuration file and add this line:
mssfix 1400✅ Save and re-import the configuration file.
✅ Lowering the MTU can prevent packet fragmentation and improve connection stability!
📌 Step 8: Contact Your IT Team or VPN Provider
✔ If none of these fixes work, the issue may be on the VPN server-side.
✔ Your IT team or VPN provider can check server logs and firewall settings.
✅ Provide details about the issue, including error messages, frequency of drops, and troubleshooting steps you’ve tried.
📌 Prevent Future OpenVPN Disconnects
✔ Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for a more stable experience.
✔ Enable auto-reconnect in OpenVPN settings to automatically restore the connection.
✔ Keep OpenVPN Connect updated to avoid bugs and security issues.
✔ Use a VPN-friendly router with built-in OpenVPN support for better performance.
✅ A well-configured VPN setup ensures secure and stable remote access!
💡 Axio Networks Pro Tip
For business users, implementing redundant VPN servers, split tunneling, and network monitoring helps prevent VPN disconnections and optimize performance. Need expert VPN solutions? Axio Networks provides managed VPN setup and IT security services—contact us today! 🚀