Internet not working after disconnecting VPN on Windows PC

Some users reported that the internet stopped working on their computers whenever they disconnected it from the VPN connection. This problem usually occurs due to a corrupt network driver or incorrect VPN settings. If the internet is not working after disconnecting the VPN on your Windows 11/10 system, use the fixes provided in this article.

Internet not working after disconnecting the VPN in Windows 11/10

Use these fixes if the internet is not working after disconnecting the VPN on your Windows 11/10 computer:

1. Check your VPN settings
2. Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter
3. Reset the TCP/IP and flush the DNS cache
4. Change the TCP/IPv4 settings
5. Change the DNS server
6. Reinstall the network adapter
7. Reset your network
8. Contact your VPN service provider

All these fixes are explained below in detail:

1] Check your VPN settings

This is the first thing you should do. Check your VPN settings for the Kill Switch feature. A VPN Kill Switch is an advanced security feature that prevents accidental exposure of digital data. It blocks internet access when a VPN connection drops. Disable the Kill Switch if it is active. Refer to the support website of your VPN service provider for the instructions to disable it.

2] Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter

The next step is to run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter. It is an automated tool designed to resolve network issues on a Windows computer. Open Windows 11 Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot. You will find this troubleshooter there. Alternatively, you can also run it through the Get Help app.

3] Reset the TCP/IP and flush the DNS cache

If the issue persists, reset the TCP/IP. Resetting the Internet Protocol helps fix internet connectivity issues on a Windows computer. If this does not help, flush the DNS cache. To complete these actions, you have to execute the required commands in the Administrator Command Prompt window. If you do not want to execute the commands, you can use our FixWin 11 utility which provides a one-click solution to all PC problems.

4] Change the TCP/IPv4 settings

If the issue persists, change your TCP/IPv4 settings. Go through the following instructions:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Set the View by mode to Category.
3. Now, select Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click your Internet connection.
5. Now, click Properties.
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
7. Select the following options and click OK to save changes.
   • Obtain IP address automatically
   • Obtain DNS server address automatically

5] Change the DNS server

If the above fix does not work, change the DNS server and use Google Public DNS or Cloudflare Public DNS. For this, open the Internet Protocol Version 4 properties by following the same steps described in the above fix and select the Use the following DNS server addresses option.

Now, use the following DNS addresses for the Google Public DNS:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

The following DNS addresses are the Public DNS addresses of Cloudflare:

• Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1

6] Reinstall the network adapter

Internet issues also occur due to the corrupt network adapter on a Windows computer. In such cases, reinstalling the Network adapter fixes the issue.

Use the following instructions:

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters branch.
3. Right-click on your network adapter driver and select Uninstall device.
4. Restart your computer or perform a scan for hardware changes to reinstall the Network adapter driver.

If this does not work, download the latest version of your Network driver from the official website of your computer manufacturer and install it manually.

7] Reset your network

The last resort is to reset your network. A Network Reset on Windows 11 reinstalls the Network adapters and resets the networking components to their default values. This step helps fix network-related issues. Before proceeding, I recommend you save all your pending work because Windows 11 will restart automatically during the Network Reset.

8] Contact your VPN service provider

If the issue persists, contact your VPN service provider. They can better assist you in resolving the issue.

Read: Internet gets disconnected when VPN connects

What happens when you disconnect from a VPN?

A VPN masks your original IP address by routing your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote VPN server. If you disconnect from a VPN server your real IP address will be exposed. Moreover, your internet traffic will no longer be encrypted, as a VPN makes your internet connection secure by encrypting it.

Can a VPN cause internet issues?

A VPN secures an internet connection by masking the IP address and encrypting it. Since your internet traffic has to pass through an additional VPN server and the process of encryption and decryption takes place to secure your internet traffic, a VPN connection slows down the internet. In some cases, a VPN connection can cause other internet issues.

Read next: VPN is not working in Windows.