Why Do Some Websites or Services Not Work While on VPN?
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) enhances privacy, security, and remote access, but sometimes, certain websites, apps, or services won’t work while connected to a VPN. This can be due to geo-blocking, firewall restrictions, DNS issues, or security policies.
🚀 Brought to you by Axio Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider in Scottsdale, Arizona. We help businesses implement and troubleshoot VPN solutions for secure remote access.
📌 Common Reasons Why Websites or Services Don’t Work on VPN
1. Websites Are Blocking VPN Traffic
✔ Some websites (e.g., Netflix, banking sites, government portals) actively block VPN connections to prevent fraud, geo-spoofing, or security risks.
✔ Streaming services detect shared VPN IP addresses and restrict access.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Try switching to a different VPN server or location.
✅ Use a VPN with dedicated IP addresses (some VPN providers offer private IPs).
✅ If using a work VPN, ask IT if there’s a whitelisted server for access.
✅ If a site detects your VPN, switching servers or IPs can often resolve the issue.
2. Split Tunneling Is Not Enabled
✔ Some VPNs route all traffic through the VPN, which can cause issues with local services (e.g., printer access, network drives, local apps).
✔ Split tunneling allows you to route only specific apps through the VPN while keeping regular traffic on your local network.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ If your VPN supports split tunneling, enable it in settings.
✅ Set trusted apps or websites to use your regular internet connection instead of the VPN.
✅ Split tunneling lets you access work resources via VPN while keeping personal browsing unaffected.
3. DNS Issues (Website Not Loading or Showing Errors)
✔ Some VPNs override your default DNS settings, which may cause certain websites to not resolve correctly.
✔ This can lead to “Page Not Found” or “DNS Server Not Responding” errors.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Try flushing your DNS cache:
Windows: Open Command Prompt and type:
ipconfig /flushdnsMac: Open Terminal and type:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder✅ Manually set your DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) in your network settings.
✅ Fixing DNS issues can help websites load properly while using a VPN.
4. Your VPN’s IP Address Is Blacklisted
✔ Some websites maintain a blacklist of VPN IP addresses, preventing access.
✔ This is common with online banking, e-commerce, and streaming services.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Disconnect and try a different VPN server.
✅ Contact your VPN provider and ask for a new IP address.
✅ If using a company VPN, your IT team may need to whitelist the website.
✅ Changing your VPN server can help bypass blacklisted IPs.
5. The Website Uses Region-Specific Restrictions
✔ Some websites only allow access from specific countries (e.g., banking portals, government websites, region-locked streaming services).
✔ If your VPN server is in a different country, you might be blocked from logging in.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Select a VPN server located in your home country.
✅ If the issue persists, try disabling the VPN temporarily to access the website.
✅ Region-restricted websites often require a VPN connection that matches your actual location.
6. Your Network or ISP Is Blocking VPN Traffic
✔ Some networks (e.g., corporate offices, hotels, public Wi-Fi, certain ISPs) block VPN usage for security or policy reasons.
✔ Firewalls restrict certain VPN protocols (OpenVPN UDP, WireGuard, etc.).
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ If possible, use a different internet connection (e.g., switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
✅ Try changing your VPN protocol from UDP to TCP (TCP is better for bypassing firewalls).
✅ If using a company VPN, ask IT to confirm firewall rules.
✅ Switching networks or VPN protocols can help if your ISP or network blocks VPN connections.
7. Web Browser Conflicts or Extensions Interfering
✔ Some browser extensions, ad blockers, or security plugins may interfere with VPN traffic.
✔ Cached website data can conflict with the VPN connection, causing sites to fail to load.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Try opening the website in Incognito Mode or a different browser.
✅ Disable ad blockers, proxy extensions, or security plugins temporarily.
✅ Clear your browser cache and cookies, then reload the page.
✅ Certain extensions and cached data can interfere with VPN-based access.
8. Your VPN Is Slowing Down Connections to Certain Sites
✔ VPN encryption and server distance can reduce speed, making some websites load slowly or time out.
✔ Some sites have anti-bot protections that slow down VPN-based traffic.
🔹 How to Fix:
✅ Try switching to a VPN server closer to your location.
✅ Enable split tunneling to bypass VPN for non-sensitive websites.
✅ Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for better stability.
✅ A slow VPN connection can make some sites appear broken—optimizing speed helps!
📌 When to Contact Your IT Team or VPN Provider
If specific work-related websites or services don’t work on VPN, your IT team or VPN provider can:
✔ Check firewall settings to allow access.
✔ Provide an alternative VPN profile or configuration.
✔ Whitelist critical business services to ensure they work with VPN.
✅ Reporting issues to IT or your VPN provider can help resolve persistent problems.
📌 How to Prevent Future VPN Access Issues
✔ Use split tunneling to separate work and personal traffic.
✔ Manually set your DNS to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for better website resolution.
✔ Switch VPN servers if a specific one is blocked.
✔ Check if the website has region restrictions before troubleshooting.
✔ Contact IT for firewall adjustments if work-related services fail.
✅ Following these best practices ensures a smooth VPN experience with fewer access issues.
💡 Axio Networks Pro Tip
For business users, implementing VPN optimization, firewall rule adjustments, and split tunneling configurations ensures seamless access to work-critical resources. Need expert VPN solutions? Axio Networks provides managed VPN setup and IT security services—contact us today! 🚀