NordVPN Not Connecting: How to Fix NordVPN Not Working?

The problem of NordVPN not connecting is atypical for this renowned VPN. While it’s very reliable, safe, and fast, some people reported the issue of NordVPN not working. To clarify, they refer to the VPN’s inability to connect to a server. While this is our favorite VPN, we also encountered this issue a few times.

So, what’s the problem? If NordVPN won’t connect, what should you do? We’ll answer both questions in this NordVPN Not Connecting troubleshoot guide. Before we do, we invite you to our NordVPN review if you’re interested in it. It has delivered significant improvements, and it now works even more reliably.

NordVPN Not Connecting: Effective Solutions

Trying to connect to a VPN, only for it to fail in the worst possible moment, is a cold shower. When NordVPN won’t connect, you’re left without encryption and online privacy that you’d otherwise enjoy. Luckily, NordVPN not working happens for trivial reasons, and in most cases, it’s extremely easy to fix. Here’s how.

1. Make Sure Your Network is Working Properly

The first thing to try is to make sure your network is working. When the VPN often refuses to connect, your network is at fault. An unstable WiFi connection can produce a problem because your WiFi or Ethernet connection must be impeccable for a stable VPN connection. What can you do? Well, you can:

• Restart your router. Unplug it from the socket, wait for 10-20 seconds, and plug it back in.
• Run the troubleshooter on your PC and see if it can resolve the problem.
• Contact your Internet Service Provider to find out if your network has issues.

If you did all of this and the problem of NordVPN not connecting persists, chances are the issue is on NordVPN’s end, specifically its VPN servers. We explain the problem in the next solution.

2. Switch to Another Server

The most basic fix is to switch to another server. Doing so can fix the following problems:

• NordVPN not connecting
• Slow or inconsistent speeds
• Frequent disconnects
• Inability to unblock streaming sites, and so on.

Switching to another server is the most sensible option. The server you’re using might be offline for maintenance, or it’s overloaded. Regardless, go for another server and see if you can make the service work. We also suggest using NordVPN’s dedicated servers, such as P2P servers or Onion over VPN servers.

Or if you’d rather boost your encryption, consider Double VPN servers. NordVPN also comes with obfuscated servers, both of which can be tested to see if they work. There are plenty of options in the app.

3. Use a Different Protocol

Still have the issue of NordVPN not working? You can connect via another tunneling protocol in that case. NordVPN offers NordLynx, OpenVPN, and NordWhisper protocols. Keeping the setting at Automatic is always great. However, if issues appear, consider NordLynx as its most reliable and stable protocol.

This modern protocol produces faster connections and offers better stability, which should remedy the problem. If you can’t use NordVPN in a censored country, switch to obfuscated servers or use OpenVPN TCP manually. This protocol helps to bypass firewall restrictions, and it’s superior in this regard.

4. Restart the NordVPN Client

If the simplest solutions fail, restarting NordVPN is always recommended. You can perform this solution on all your devices, be it macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, or iOS. Best of all, you don’t have to do anything manually. In NordVPN’s app, click the Question Mark icon to run NordVPN Diagnostics.

There, you’ll see the Reset App option. Click it, and NordVPN will execute the command right away. After it’s complete, NordVPN will log you out of the app, and you’ll have to log back in to use it. However, in most cases, the problem of NordVPN not connecting should no longer be there, based on our experience.

5. Update NordVPN’s Application

One of the biggest mistakes regarding the NordVPN not connecting issue is the inability to update the app. People often disable auto-updates, which prevents the VPN from receiving updates and upgrading to the latest version. The solution? Enable auto-updates and make sure each update is properly installed.

On desktop, go to Settings, select General, and toggle Allow Background Processes on. If you’re using the VPN on iOS or Android, you’ll typically get a notification when your app needs an update. If not, you can always go to your respective app store, find the VPN app, and update it manually.

6. Open the VPN-Specific Ports

VPNs take advantage of specific ports. For example, OpenVPN uses port 443 for TCP and 500 for UDP. NordVPN uses OpenVPN TCP, which means port 443 should be open. For NordLynx, its other protocol, you’ll need port 1194. In some cases, they can be blocked by your ISP or the firewall or closed by default.

Opening these ports allows the VPN connection to pass through, and thus, the provider to work without interruptions. We’ll demonstrate how to open them on Windows and Mac to fix NordVPN not working:

🖥️ Windows Computers & Laptops

• Open the Start menu.
• Search for Windows Defender Firewall and select the first option.
• Go to Advanced Settings and select Inbound Rules.
• Click on New Rule and select the Port option (under Program).
• Choose from UDP or TCP. If you can’t connect using OpenVPN TCP, select TCP. If you can’t connect using OpenVPN UDP, choose UDP instead.
• Type in the number of the port, which can be 443, 500, 1194, etc.
• Press Next and click on Allow the connection.
• Tick all three boxes (Domain, Private & Public) and press Next.
• Now, name your rule and click on Finish. The port should now be opened. To open more ports and fix NordVPN not connecting, perform this solution for each port.

🍏 macOS Computers & Laptops

• Open System Preferences.
• Click on Security and Privacy, go to Firewall, and select Firewall Options.
• Click on the + sign in the top-left corner.
• Select the application, in this case NordVPN, and press Add.
• The option Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections should be ON.
• Click OK, and you’re done.

7. Disable Your Firewall

Since we mentioned the firewall, it can also be a cause of NordVPN not working. The firewall can block the VPN connection, and by extension, make the service unusable. Even Windows Defender Firewall can do this, which is why it’s good to disable it at least temporarily. If this solves the issue, then the firewall is the culprit.

Instead of disabling it completely, which we don’t recommend for obvious reasons, add an exception for NordVPN. Make sure you add an exception in both inbound and outbound rules. This will allow NordVPN to send and receive traffic, which will easily fix NordVPN not connecting and make it work properly.

8. Use a Different DNS Address

Using another DNS server can yield great results if NordVPN can’t connect. The DNS server you’re using might be faulty, which produces connection problems and renders the VPN useless. This service allows you to use a custom DNS server in such cases, so here’s a guide on how to change your DNS:

• Open NordVPN’s Settings
• Click on Connection and Security.
• Select and enable the option Use Custom DNS.
• Enter the set of custom DNS addresses.

9. Reinstall NordVPN

If all the things we mentioned don’t cut it, reinstalling NordVPN can do the trick. This is easy. Uninstall the VPN from your PC and delete all settings and files related to it. Restart the PC and download the latest version of the service. Now, install it, sign in, and try to use it again. Mobile users won’t have to do much.

Uninstall the app, go to Google Play or Apple Store, and install it again. Run the app, sign in again, and see if it works. It’s a trivial fix, but the one that shows decent results if the problem is on the VPN’s end.

10. Get in Touch With NordVPN

Finally, you can always get in touch with NordVPN. The service offers a round-the-clock 24/7 live chat service that responds immediately. Therefore, don’t hesitate to contact them and see what they have to say. Knowing this team all too well, we can guarantee they’ll find the solution in a few or so minutes.

Visit NordVPN

Can’t Fix NordVPN Not Connecting? Try These Alternatives

If, after everything you tried, the problem of NordVPN not working isn’t gone, you can try a few alternatives. While these VPNs aren’t necessarily better, they might end up more dependable for your needs:

🔴 ExpressVPN: Best NordVPN Alternative

ExpressVPN is known for reliable performance and speeds nearly as fast as NordVPN. Its Lightway protocol proved to be extremely well-suited for all purposes. It works for streaming, torrenting, bypassing censorship, and even just surfing the web. The provider has servers in 105 countries, covering a wealth of locations.

While numbers-wise, it’s smaller, ExpressVPN’s 10 Gbps servers are still as capable. Besides, ExpressVPN is one of our favorite VPNs in 2026, with amazing features like Parental Control, Advanced Protection, and SmartDNS for streaming. Compared to NordVPN, it’s a bit easier to use, so it’s more suitable for beginners.

ExpressVPN is also a tad less expensive in 2026, but its renewal price is considerably higher, so it’s similar to NordVPN. The cheapest plan covers 10 devices, but if you upgrade, you can protect 14 at a time. Though NordVPN is superior with servers in 130 countries and its innovative and advanced features.

Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s easy to test them without a financial risk. If you face the issue of NordVPN not connecting, ExpressVPN should be able to pull you out of the mud.

Try ExpressVPN

🟡 CyberGhost: Cheaper NordVPN Alternative

CyberGhost’s low prices and second-to-none performance are one of the key features of this VPN. This provider offers WireGuard, which speeds up the connection and makes it work reliably. NordVPN’s connection issues are typical on Windows, while CyberGhost displays consistently good performance here.

In our NordVPN vs CyberGhost duel, CyberGhost lost, but offered 12,000+ servers, a bit more than NordVPN. Moreover, CyberGhost has dedicated streaming and torrenting servers for variety. Plus, there are NoSpy servers that it independently owns and operates. The VPN may not be very easy to use.

However, it still supports all platforms and includes decent privacy and security features. It’s a shame it’s limited to seven simultaneous connections. As a whole, CyberGhost will never beat NordVPN, but it’s close, especially in reliability and speed. Price-wise, it definitely beats it with its 2-year plans.

CyberGhost starts at only $2.19 per month, though it’s often $2.03, with a large 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans. If you’re interested, read our CyberGhost test for more information about it.

Try CyberGhost

Summary

NordVPN not connecting is a typical issue that can usually be fixed quickly. However, if you tried all fixes and none scratch your itch, it might be time to call it quits. Sometimes, the VPN you’ve chosen just isn’t for you, and that’s okay. Consider ExpressVPN or CyberGhost in this case, which may prove more reliable to you.

Before you choose an inferior VPN, try everything you can to fix NordVPN not working. In most cases, it’s enough to restart the app, but if that fails, reach customer support and see if it can help. If you really can’t get it to work, consider NordVPN alternatives. Sometimes, the VPN you want may not be destined for you.

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FAQs About NordVPN Not Connecting or Working

Why NordVPN won’t connect?

If NordVPN is frequently disconnecting, chances are your internet connection is unstable. However, it might be due to a faulty VPN server, firewall, antivirus software, and so on. You can apply the same fixes we mentioned in this specific case. Before you do, ensure your internet connection is stable and working.

Then, you can play with the servers and protocols, change your DNS address, enable mobile data on your phone, disable antivirus or firewall, and so on. That fixes NordVPN connection issues in most cases.

NordVPN not working with Netflix. What to do?

We have a separate guide on using NordVPN with Netflix. If it’s not working, though, you can always switch to another server, clear your browser data, and restart the VPN. For us, the solution that usually worked was clearing our browser data. After restarting the browser, the VPN worked with Netflix normally.

Can a free VPN replace NordVPN if it’s not working?

Yes, but we wouldn’t call this a replacement, as a free VPN can never truly replace a paid one. NordVPN is superior to any free service. It won’t limit your data and comes with top-of-the-line security/ and privacy features. Free providers are more prone to having issues due to overcrowding and data limits.

Plus, they won’t work for streaming, torrenting, or anything that consumes more bandwidth and requires a stronger connection. In short, you won’t find much luck in free VPNs.

NordVPN obfuscated servers not working. How to connect?

NordVPN’s obfuscated servers work only with OpenVPN TCP, so enable it manually within the app and try again. Alternatively, try an obfuscated server in another country because it may be the server’s fault.