ExpressVPN Not Working- Easy Troubleshooting Tips for 2024

If you're in a country with strict internet censorship or manually configuring ExpressVPN configurations, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for prompt help. If you can connect to the VPN but encounter issues accessing specific apps, websites, or online services, you can follow this troubleshooting guide.

ExpressVPN-not-working

Has ExpressVPN been breached or not working? The ExpressVPN not working error you are facing may be due to several potential reasons, including server maintenance, interference from antivirus or security software, or using an outdated app version.

If you’re going through a similar problem, you’ve landed at the right place. This guide holds the solutions for every issue related to ExpressVPN not working that we have encountered so far, because of which you cannot carry on with your activities. In this guide, we will provide you with 8 Quick Ways to Fix ExpressVPN Not Working.

ExpressVPN is one of the highly-rated and best VPN brands with a huge base of loyal customers. ExpressVPN cost provides the full value for money by giving quality premium features to the users. But even the most well-designed computer software can break sometimes and give an annoying error message.

There are few likely causes for ExpressVPN to not work. These include: The VPN server you desire to connect to is under maintenance, your VPN connection is being blocked by antivirus, you’re using an outdated version of the ExpressVPN app, there’s traffic overload on your VPN server and more.

Recently Reported Issue: App stuck on macOS Catalina

Recently, a new issue was reported when ExpressVPN doesn’t work on macOS Catalina. A vulnerability causes the ExpressVPN app to freeze, and it gets stuck halfway when establishing a connection. Not sure how to navigate your way out of this? No worries. Read on!

Solution:

If you face this issue, check for updates on your ExpressVPN macOS app. If the update is not showing up, go to the official website of ExpressVPN and manually download the newest version. Maybe ExpressVPN stopped working because your app is outdated. Follow these steps to get the ExpressVPN app working on your Mac device:

  1. Go to Applications –> Find ExpressVPN and move it to the bin.
  2. Go to Finder –> search ExpressVPN and delete any associated app you find in your system.
  3. Go to ExpressVPN’s official site, and download the latest version of the app.

After installing the ExpressVPN app on your device, you can enter your username and password to complete the ExpressVPN login process and securely connect to the internet.

Therefore, reinstalling the updated version of the ExpressVPN app on your Mac device will clear the problem right away. Also, try to update your macOS to the latest version to fix the issue of ExpressVPN Mac not working.

If you find ExpressVPN not working for you, here are a few tips you can try to quickly fix the problem yourself before reaching out to customer support.


8 Quick Ways to Fix ExpressVPN Not Working

There can be multiple reasons why ExpressVPN may not be working for you. Below, you will find some of the most common causes of why is ExpressVPN not working and their solutions. The most logical method for going about these troubleshooting steps is to apply one solution at a time and then check if your problem is fixed.

  1. Check internet connectivity
  2. Change ExpressVPN server locations
  3. Update ExpressVPN app
  4. Change VPN protocol on ExpressVPN
  5. Disable firewall/anti-malware
  6. Flush the DNS
  7. Reduce the simultaneous usage of ExpressVPN
  8. Contact ExpressVPN support with diagnostic information

1. Check internet connectivity

If you’re connected to ExpressVPN, but still ExpressVPN not connecting to the internet, so in that case, try disabling ExpressVPN and check if your internet connection starts working. But if your internet connection is the culprit, try this:

  • Unplug the cable from your router, wait a minute, and then plug it back in.
  • Now, visit Speedtest and run a quick test.
  • Call your internet service provider if still your ExpressVPN service is unreachable to you.

2. Change ExpressVPN server locations

The first thing you should do is try to change your server locations. ExpressVPN offers over 3000 servers in 105 locations, so you have a lot of options to choose from. Sometimes, there could be technical issues that make you wonder Why does ExpressVPN not work anymore. It is just because the server you trying to connect is under maintenance.

ExpressVPN-US-Homepage-Explainatory-Server-image.

ExpressVPN’s US servers are fast and efficient and unblock most streaming sites easily.

Follow the steps given below to connect to an ExpressVPN server.

1. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account.

2. Click on the hamburger icon (≡) and select VPN Locations.

change-expressvpn-server-location

3. You can choose a server from the Recommended or All Locations tabs.

choose-server-through-recommended-or-all-locations

4. Choose your preferred server and select. We chose the United States – New Jersey server.

connect-to-your-preferred-server

5. Click on Connect, and within seconds, we were connected to the New Jersey server.

easily-connected-to-expressvpn

Now you may try connecting to different ExpressVPN server locations. If the issue is server-specific, you should be able to use ExpressVPN with other servers. Also, note that ExpressVPN torrenting can be used on all servers, but it will automatically redirect you to different server locations where it’s safe to download P2P files.

According to our extensive ExpressVPN speed tests, its servers consistently deliver excellent speeds. You should be able to receive high speeds even on remotely located servers, but for the best performance, it is better to choose servers located closer to your physical location.


3. Update ExpressVPN app

If you’re using an older version of ExpressVPN, you should get the latest version. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  • Uninstall your existing ExpressVPN app.
  • Visit ExpressVPN’s website and download the latest ExpressVPN app.
  • Install the app on your device and sign in to your account.

Since outdated app versions are no longer officially supported, they tend to develop bugs and connection errors and cause Express VPN problems. Moreover, it is risky from a security point of view to run these apps. Outdated apps are also the primary cause of ExpressVPN not working in China. So it is important to ensure that you are always running the latest version of ExpressVPN for stable performance and security.


4. Change the VPN protocol on ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN uses OpenVPN UDP as the default protocol. This protocol combination offers the best balance of speed and security.

However, the UDP protocol is blocked in some countries such as the Middle East. You can try changing protocols, one by one, until you find the one that works for you.

Here’s how you can change protocols in the ExpressVPN Windows app:

  • Click on the hamburger icon (≡) to open the menu. Then choose ‘Options.’

Change-ExpressVPN-protocols

  • Click on ‘Protocol’ and choose one from the available options.

 

ExpressVPN protocols on Windows in Canada

  • You should try connecting to the VPN again after changing the protocol, one by one:
    • OpenVPN TCP –> L2TP

5. Disable firewall/anti-malware

Some firewalls and anti-malware software can block VPN connection ports. To test if your connectivity issues are being caused by a firewall or other similar protective programs, you will have to disable all of these programs and try connecting to an ExpressVPN server again.

If you are now able to connect to ExpresVPN after disabling this security software, then you will have to make an exception for ExpressVPN in the program that’s blocking it. The easiest way to do that is to follow these steps:

  • Uninstall the ExpressVPN app.
  • Uninstall the program blocking ExpressVPN.
  • Reinstall ExpressVPN.
  • Reinstall the program blocking ExpressVPN.

This should fix the problem of ExpressVPN not connecting or getting denied access from a firewall/antimalware.


6. Flush the DNS

Oftentimes, your system is unable to communicate because of ExpressVPN DNS issues, so you will not be able to access the internet. If you face an ExpressVPN not working Windows 10 error, you’ll need to flush your DNS settings. Here’s how you can flush DNS on a Windows computer:

  • Hit the Windows key, search for ‘Command Prompt’, and hit Enter.
  • Now, type ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ —> Enter.
  • Type ‘ipconfig /registerdns’ –> Enter.
  • Type ‘ipconfig /release’ –> Enter.
  • Type ‘ipconfig /renew’ –> Enter.
  • Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ –> Enter.
  • Finally, restart your computer –> connect to ExpressVPN > check if you can access the internet.

7. Reduce the simultaneous usage of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN doesn’t work if you have exceeded the simultaneous connection limit. The provider supports 8 multi-logins which means you can use the same ExpressVPN subscription to connect to 8 different devices at the same time.

Since ExpressVPN supports Fire Stick, and Roku, with several routers, ExpressVPN Kodi also works great together. other than the common platforms of Windows, Mac, etc, make sure that you aren’t already connected to 5 devices when you’re experiencing connectivity issues on ExpressVPN (might involve reducing the number of friends you have shared your ExpressVPN account credentials with).


8. Contact ExpressVPN support with diagnostic information

The ExpressVPN app contains a built-in diagnostic tool to help developers (or even anyone tech-savvy enough) troubleshoot problems. You can generate this diagnostic report and send it to the customer support of ExpressVPN so they can figure out exactly what the problem is and offer a solution.

To obtain the diagnostic report and send it to ExpressVPN customer support, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Hamburger icon (≡) –> Help & Support –> Diagnostic Information

navigate-to-diagnostic-information

2. Click the Contact Support button in the diagnostic file that opens next.

3. Check the box “Include diagnostic information,” describe your issue with as many specific details as possible and click Send to Support.


Fixes for ExpressVPN Not Working in Specific Situations

People often find themselves facing ExpressVPN not working on iPhones. You may also find a similar error with Disney Plus not working with ExpressVPN or might find your ExpressVPN not working with YouTube TV. So, here are some services, devices, and platforms that ExpressVPN is often reported to exhibit problems with and their quick fixes. Chances are a single solution may work for most platforms, so you may want to try the following solutions for a platform that’s not mentioned below:

Why is ExpressVPN not working with the Router? Issues

ExpressVPN may not be working with routers because of connectivity issues. ExpressVPN offers firmware for certain brands and models of routers to facilitate easy connectivity. You can learn about configuring a VPN on a router in our guide for ExpressVPN Router Setup.

If you have ExpressVPN connected but no internet, and are unable to connect after successfully installing and configuring the ExpressVPN firmware, try removing all cables running between your computer, modem, router, and any other devices, turn off the router for 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Also, make sure you are using the latest version of ExpressVPN.


Why is my ExpressVPN not working on Android?

Your ExpressVPN on Android may not work if you have other VPN apps or profiles installed on your device. These can interfere with ExpressVPN’s functionality. To resolve this, it’s recommended to remove any other VPN apps or profiles. You can do this by going to Settings > Wi-Fi & internet > VPN.

Other possible reasons why your ExpressVPN on Android may not work include that the VPN server location you’re trying to connect to is undergoing maintenance, your antivirus or online security application is blocking the VPN connection, or you are not using the latest version of the ExpressVPN app. In particularly severe cases the result of this might be that Express VPN won’t open at all.

Another reason your ExpressVPN app may not work on Android devices because your device might be interfering with your connection to ExpressVPN. Several factors can prevent the ExpressVPN app from establishing a secure internet connection.

Here are two common culprits to look out for if you are unable to connect to ExpressVPN on your Android device :

1. Other VPN apps and their profiles installed on your device can interfere with ExpressVPN and prevent it from working properly. To remove a VPN profile from your Android device, follow these steps:

  • Settings –> Wi-Fi & internet –> VPN.
  • Tap on the gear icon next to all the other VPN apps on your device.
  • Tap on Forget VPN one by one.

2. The battery optimization feature on Huawei and Samsung phones can often prevent ExpressVPN from establishing a connection as a result of which Express VPN does not work. Here’s how to disable the battery optimization option:

  • ‘Settings’ –> ‘Apps & notifications’.
  • ‘Advanced’ –> ‘Special app access’.
  • ‘Battery optimization’ —> ‘All apps’.
  • Tap on the ExpressVPN app.
  • Finally, tap on ‘Don’t optimize‘ –> ‘Done’.

Also, make sure to download the latest ExpressVPN update and contact ExpressVPN support if the issue persists.


Is Netflix blocking ExpressVPN?

No, Netflix can’t block all of ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers. To resolve this, select a different server in the same or nearby location, then reload Netflix or restart the app – this should solve the issue.

For instance, ExpressVPN’s New York server is one of the most used servers of the VPN provider; as a result, with many people connecting simultaneously using the same server, Netflix must’ve blocked the IP address.

Why is ExpressVPN not working with Netflix? When you face the error with ExpressVPN Netflix not working, the first thing to try is to change your server location. If that doesn’t work, you should contact customer support with your ExpressVPN complaints. These guys always have updated information about servers that are currently working with Netflix and can direct you to the right server location.

If you’re an iOS user and ExpressVPN is not working on your iPhone, then it’s been reported on ExpressVPN not working Reddit, that changing the VPN protocol to IKEv2 helps unblock US Netflix. ExpressVPN offers this protocol only for iOS devices, so you can change the VPN protocol to make it work with Netflix.

Nonetheless, you can use ExpressVPN with Netflix, and users generally won’t experience any hurdles when using it to stream their favorite content.


Why is ExpressVPN not working on BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN may not work with BBC iPlayer for several reasons. It’s possible that BBC iPlayer has blocked the VPN’s IP addresses. Incorrect VPN configuration could also be the issue. Additionally, server-related problems with the VPN might cause this.

Here are the potential reasons that can block ExpressVPN from unblocking BBC iPlayer:

  • BBC iPlayer blacklists the server that you’re using.
  • Cookies on your device are giving away your actual location to BBC iPlayer.
  • Your IP address is leaking.

When the VPN connection is established with a UK VPN server location, you can get diagnostic information by checking for potential IP or DNS leaks before accessing BBC iPlayer. If your IP is leaking, it means your IP address has not been changed to the UK (or the VPN server you are connected to).

Furthermore, you can always switch to another UK server to get a new IP address. Just because BBC blocked one IP address doesn’t mean it has banned every single IP address coming from ExpressVPN. In fact, we tried several times, and every time we connected ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer in USA and it worked successfully.


Why is my ExpressVPN not working with Amazon Prime?

If your ExpressVPN is not working correctly with Amazon Prime, it’s often due to the streaming platform blocking your VPN server’s IP address or if you haven’t adjusted your account’s country settings. To resolve this issue, a straightforward solution is to change your account’s country and utilize a top-tier VPN designed for use with Prime Video.

Has it ever happened to you that Express VPN stopped working suddenly with Amazon Prime? There are a few other potential reasons for this as well, such as that the VPN server may be overcrowded or blocked by Amazon Prime, your browser’s cookies might be disclosing your true location, or the DNS entries saved on your device could be causing disruptions in the VPN connection.

Another possibility for your ExpressVPN may not be working with Amazon Prime because the streaming site’s VPN blocking techniques surpass the unblocking ability of the VPN. That’s why you may try switching to another server and getting a new IP address to see if it resolves the issue.

On the other hand, you may reach out to ExpressVPN’s customer support to help you find the most effective servers for unblocking Amazon Prime with ExpressVPN.


Why is ExpressVPN Hulu not working?

ExpressVPN may not work with Hulu because of your browser’s cache. Your real IP address might be stored in your browser’s cache, which Hulu could detect, leading to content access issues. In such cases, Hulu might block your access to its content library.

To address this, you can try clearing your cache and cookies or utilizing incognito mode. Another possibility is that Hulu has specifically blocked the ExpressVPN server you’re using, as Hulu maintains a record of VPN servers, it identifies and consistently blocks them from accessing its content.

Hulu may not be working with ExpressVPN because some of its IPs may have been blacklisted by the streaming service because Hulu can only broadcast its content locally, only in the United States.

Some ExpressVPN servers work better with Hulu than others. The last time we checked, New Jersey 3 and Denver server locations, and we were amazed by the results that ExpressVPN worked with Hulu.

However, the ability of VPN servers to work with different streaming platforms keeps changing over time. Contact customer support to learn which server location will work best for your needs.


ExpressVPN Alternatives

Tried all the methods above and still not getting anywhere. Maybe it’s time to try a different VPN and cancel your ExpressVPN subscription. For instance, here’s how ExpressVPN compares to Surfshark and NordVPN, two other premium VPNs:

VPNs ExpressVPN surfshark logo nordvpn-logo
Price $6.67/mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free $2.49/mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee $3.99/mo - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend
Servers 3000 servers in 105 countries 3200+ servers in 100+ countries 6000 servers in 61 countries
Customer Support 24/7 live chat & email 24/7 live chat & email 24/7 live chat & email
Logging Policy Zero Logs Zero Logs Zero Logs
Jurisdiction The British Virgin Islands The Netherlands Panama
Netflix unblocking Strong Strong Strong
Free Trial ExpressVPN free trial Surfshark free trial NordVPN free trial
Refund 30 days money-back guarantee 30 days money-back guarantee 30 days money-back guarantee
Reviews ExpressVPN review Surfshark review NordVPN review
Website ExpressVPN Surfshark NordVPN

FAQs – ExpressVPN Not Working

If you find your VPN connection is active but your internet isn’t working, this issue can be attributed to a few common factors. It might be due to poor connectivity at the selected VPN server location, interference by your internet service provider affecting specific VPN protocols, or even interference caused by your antivirus or online security application’s handling of outgoing data packets. These are some potential causes to investigate when troubleshooting the “ExpressVPN unable to connect internet traffic is blocked” error.

Yes, ExpressVPN is still working and remains committed to providing a secure VPN connection. It achieves this through techniques like IP masking with its extensive server network across the globe and by employing industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data and privacy.

ExpressVPN may not work with Netflix due to Netflix blocking the IP address of the VPN server. For instance, when you choose the United States, ExpressVPN might connect you to New York, and if that IP address is blocked by Netflix, it can result in an issue.

Utilize ExpressVPN’s IP Address Checker to verify your IP address. When you have successfully connected, the displayed IP address will correspond to the location you are connected to through the VPN. Additionally, you will receive a confirmation message stating that “Your IP address is protected.

ExpressVPN may not be working on LAN/Ethernet to watch Netflix because you possibly need to reconfigure your ExpressVPN settings. To do that, check your split tunneling option and block the app settings that aren’t favorable to streaming Netflix.

To fix ExpressVPN not working with Firestick, you can try the following steps:

  • Update ExpressVPN and ensure you have the latest version installed.
  • Restart your Firestick by unplugging it and plugging it back in.
  • Clear the cache and data of the ExpressVPN app in the Firestick settings.
  • If the problem persists, consider changing the VPN server location or reinstalling the ExpressVPN app.


Conclusion

ExpressVPN is probably the most popular VPN brand in the market. Yet, even this VPN isn’t immune to errors and annoying bugs. If you’re an ExpressVPN user, try the methods mentioned above to resolve the issues you may be facing.

If all else fails, you can always go with a better alternative; however, we’re sure ExpressVPN won’t let you down. So make sure you get rid of ExpressVPN not working by trying the fixes we’ve suggested. If you face any issues, feel free to reach out to us.