People often use a virtual private network (VPN) to access websites that are not available in their location. However, if you find yourself facing issues with your VPN not working on Chrome, it can be really frustrating. The good news is that this guide provides several effective solutions to resolve the problem. Let’s dive in!

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is commonly used by users to keep their online activities private. When you connect through a VPN, it creates a secure tunnel between your device and the private server operated by the VPN service before directing your internet traffic to its intended destination.

By routing your data through this secure connection, a third party—such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP)—won’t be able to monitor or record what you do online. It also helps protect against hackers attempting to intercept your data during transmission.

Unfortunately, there are various reasons why a VPN might stop functioning properly—problems like unstable connections, security flaws, conflicts with browser extensions, antivirus software, or firewalls may all lead to disruptions. This article specifically focuses on resolving issues where the VPN doesn't work correctly on Google Chrome.

Solution 1. Use MiniTool System Booster to Fix Issues

Outdated cache, expired cookies, corrupted downloads, or internet-related problems could be behind the Chrome and VPN issue. For optimizing both system and browser performance, MiniTool System Booster is one of the best tools available.

This tool efficiently resolves internet connectivity problems and cleans out temporary files, caches, browsing history, downloaded images, and more from your browsers. Additionally, it enhances overall system performance by reducing startup time, freeing up memory, CPU, and disk space, removing unwanted software, defragmenting hard drives, etc.

Here's how you can use this PC optimization tool to fix Chrome and improve internet connectivity:

Step 1. Open MiniTool System Booster.

Step 2. From the main interface, click the drop-down menu under Performance Home and select Deepclean.

Step 3. Click on START CLEAN to initiate cleaning tasks on your computer.

To address the Chrome VPN issue, run the NetBooster feature to analyze and optimize your internet connection while boosting browsing speed.

Next, the Internet Cleanup process will begin automatically. You’ll need to close all running browsers first, as prompted. Once scanning completes, choose the cache files you want to remove and click CLEAN SELECTED.

After finishing these two steps, you can either continue with the remaining tasks depending on your system condition or skip them.

Solution 2. Disable or Uninstall Extensions on Chrome

Before the issue appeared, did you install any new extensions or add-ons on Chrome? If yes, they might be causing the conflict with your VPN. Here’s how to check and disable suspicious ones:

Step 1. Launch Chrome and click the three dots at the top-right corner > go to Extensions > Manage Extensions.

Step 2. Go to the extension management page and locate any problematic extensions. Then, disable them.

Once done, test whether the Chrome browser now works with your VPN. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 3. Switch to Cloudflare or Google DNS

If your browser is currently using your ISP's DNS or your VPN’s default DNS settings, switching to Cloudflare or Google DNS might help fix the Chrome and VPN issue. Here’s how:

Step 1. In Chrome, click the three-dot icon > choose Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to Privacy and security > Security > scroll down and click the dropdown under Select DNS provider > pick Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

Step 3. Restart the browser for the changes to take effect.

Solution 4. Turn Off QUIC Protocol in Chrome

QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connection) is a newer protocol that may not be fully compatible with some VPNs. Disabling it might help solve the issue when Chrome fails to work with your VPN. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Chrome and type chrome://flags into the address bar and press Enter.

Step 2. On the flags page, search for QUIC > look for Experimental QUIC protocol in the results > select Disabled from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. Restart Chrome so the changes apply.

Solution 5. Temporarily Turn Off Firewall & Antivirus

Your system’s firewall and antivirus programs are designed to block unauthorized access, but sometimes they mistakenly identify your VPN as a threat, which leads to Chrome not working with the VPN. To prevent this, you can either disable them temporarily or add the VPN to exceptions. Here's how:

#Add Your VPN to Exception List

Step 1. Search for Windows Security in the taskbar search box and open it.

Step 2. Go to Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.

Step 3. Click Change settings, locate Google Chrome, and enable both Private and Public checkboxes. Then click OK to save.

#Temporarily Disable Windows Defender

Step 1. In the Windows Security window, select Virus & threat protection and then click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.

Step 2. Toggle off Real-time protection.

Make sure to re-enable it once you're done using the VPN since real-time protection is crucial for keeping your system safe.

Final Words

This post has provided five practical ways to fix the problem of Chrome not working with a VPN. After trying these methods, your Chrome browser should function properly with your chosen VPN. It’s also worth noting that MiniTool System Booster does more than just fixing Chrome-related issues—it also improves your overall PC performance.

If you face any difficulties while using this tool, feel free to reach out to our support team via . We aim to respond as quickly as possible.

The above is the detailed content of Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix VPN Not Working on Chrome. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!