Why Does NordVPN Keep Disconnecting? How To Solve The Issue

Why Does NordVPN Keep Disconnecting? VPNs can experience technical difficulties, resulting in a slow, unstable internet connection due to frequent disconnections.

Although most top-tier VPNs feature a kill switch to safeguard your data, the slow speeds and constant on/off will cause frustration.

This problem can occur due to several reasons.

We’ll explain why your NordVPN keeps disconnecting, plus the remedies to fix the issues. Let’s get right into it!

Table of Contents

Reasons For Constant VPN Disconnection

The primary reasons for the VPN connection issues include the following.

High Latency

Slow internet speeds are an issue, but high latency causes more problems. The NordVPN app and other VPN providers use encrypted tunneling technology to transfer data between your device and the VPN server.

An internet speed test on a smartphone showing the ping (latency) and speeds

An internet speed test on a smartphone showing the ping (latency) and speeds

The two devices must maintain a continuous connection, and your end device must send a message to the remote server every 10 seconds to check the connection status.

If it does not receive a response in 120 seconds or less, the VPN tunnel closes, disconnecting the client device.

So you should do a speed test to check your internet connection’s latency (ping).

Network Connection Issues

Internet connections rely on several devices and services that form a long chain to the ISP and other players. So any failure along the chain can create an unreliable connection.

For instance, Wi-Fi network, broadband, modem, or router issues can disrupt the connection.

If your wireless router or mobile data connection has weak signals, the NordVPN connection can drop.

An internet modem

An internet modem

Also, the likelihood of connection issues increases if the network has multiple shared users and lacks enough bandwidth to support the internet traffic.

In such cases, the VPN client will try to connect to the server automatically after it gets enough bandwidth, which makes it appear as if the VPN connects/disconnects randomly.

NordVPN Connection Limit Reached

NordVPN has a connection limit of six devices per account. So if you try to add a seventh device, you might experience disconnection issues or failure to connect.

Therefore, consider installing the VPN software on your router if you have multiple devices.

This setup will cover all your devices, leaving you with an extra five logins for your mobile devices for safe browsing when away from home.

A smartphone running VPN software

A smartphone running VPN software

Internet Service Provider Blocking VPN Traffic

Some internet service providers block VPN traffic because they need to track, monitor, and save user browsing habits and internet histories to sell to marketers.

VPN services deny them this data, resulting in traffic blocking.

Also, some governments impose strict laws and regulations on VPN usage to monitor their citizens, so they might force the ISP operating in their territories to block VPN traffic.

An infographic showing how VPNs work

An infographic showing how VPNs work

You can bypass these blockages by activating the obfuscation feature in the VPN settings to disguise your encrypted VPN traffic as regular HTTPS communication.

Firewall/Antivirus Software Conflict

VPNs can also experience issues due to conflicts with other applications like antivirus and firewall software. These two can prevent your VPN from connecting to the internet and disable the kill switch.

Firewalls are particularly notorious with VPNs because they can do the following.

  • Cut long-running connections with a single IP address
  • Flag select IP ranges
  • Block all VPN ports
  • Deep packet inspection to terminate any link with a VPN protocol

Other previously installed VPNs can also affect the performance of NordVPN. So uninstall them, then check if you get a stable connection.

An infographic showing how firewalls create safe operating zones for personal devices

An infographic showing how firewalls create safe operating zones for personal devices

Congested NordVPN Server

Although the NordVPN network consists of thousands of servers in 60 countries, overcrowding can occur in a single server, causing a drop in speed and connections.

The solution is to select a different server location to see if the issue disappears.

Low Power Mode on Battery-Powered Devices

Devices running on battery power can deprioritize and limit an application’s access to the processor when in low-power mode.

VPN applications usually run in the background, making them prime candidates for deprioritization when devices implement battery-saving measures. So you might experience intermittent server connections until you plug in the charger.

How To Stop The VPN Disconnection Issue

Since the problem could be due to any of the factors described above, the solutions are equally as many. Here’s what you should try.

Change The VPN Settings

The first place to check for troubleshooting purposes is the NordVPN app. This software has multiple configuration options, and you should look at the following.

VPN Server

Changing from an overcrowded server to one with few users will not only give you a reliable connection, but you’ll also get faster speeds.

While making the change, connect to the server nearest your physical location to get the most reliable connection.

VPN Protocol

The other fix involves changing the VPN connection protocol. These protocols are rules for creating and defining the encryption tunnel.

NordVPN provides a secure and reliable protocol by default using the auto(recommended) setting.

But you can alter these settings for better reliability. For instance, there is an option between OpenVPN TCP and OpenVPN UDP protocols. The former offers better reliability because it features built-in error checking.

TCP vs. UDP

TCP vs. UDP

DNS Server

DNS servers convert web domain names to IP addresses. VPN service providers usually offer DNS leak protection using independent DNS servers to keep your ISP from seeing your DNS requests.

NordVPN has a custom DNS server setting you can use to create a more stable connection.

A DNS server

A DNS server

Disable Multi-Hop

Multi-hop or double VPN is an advanced security feature that routes the encrypted internet traffic through two servers. Although the longer route enhances security and privacy, it reduces reliability and speed. 

So, disable the feature, but reactivate it when handling sensitive information or when at high risk of targeted attacks.

Enable the Obfuscation Feature

If your ISP or government blocks VPN traffic, enable obfuscation to operate in stealth mode and maintain an active connection.

A smartphone running a VPN in Russia

A smartphone running a VPN in Russia

Disable Trusted Networks

NordVPN has a trusted network feature that functions as an exception list. It automatically disconnects the VPN when you use a network on the safe list, which can cause some instability.

Reset NordVPN

You can make a mess while altering the NordVPN settings, and the only way out of it is to reset the app to default settings, then start afresh. Also, you can try reinstalling the NordVPN software to eliminate any prior installation bugs.

Fix Incorrect Network Settings

If the problem is not with the NordVPN app, try to fix the network settings using these tips. 

Connect to a Different Network

In most cases, VPNs fail to work due to zero internet access or a poor internet connection. So try connecting to a different network, such as a mobile carrier data connection or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi.

Alternatively, you can switch to an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, especially if browsing while far from the router.

A person connecting an ethernet cable to a computer

A person connecting an ethernet cable to a computer

Check the Connection Port

Ports are the start and end points for network communications and connections. VPNs use one port at any given time to connect to a physical server, and these points can get overloaded, resulting in speed drops and unstable connections.

NordVPN requires ports 443 and 1194 for TCP and UDP, respectively. So ensure these remain open in your router.

Restart your Router

Restarting can solve multiple issues by resetting the hardware and software.

Update Router Firmware

Outdated router firmware might be incompatible with some VPN protocols. So update your device manually if it fails to do so automatically.

A modem Wi-Fi router

A modem Wi-Fi router

Fix Device Connection Issues

If the problem persists, check for connection issues on the device using the following tips.

Delete Old VPN Apps

Device software conflicts are common issues, so you might want to uninstall old VPN apps that prevent stable NordVPN connections. 

Disable the Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Security software like firewalls and antivirus applications can also block your VPN. So ensure you add your VPN to the security software’s list of permitted applications.

A laptop with antivirus software

A laptop with antivirus software

Stop/Close Data-Hungry Applications

Data-intensive applications that require heavy updates or downloads can congest the network and starve the NordVPN application of the bandwidth it needs to create a stable connection.

So check and stop these applications.

Install the VPN on the Router

Instead of installing the NordVPN software on all your devices, try installing it in your router to handle all internet traffic. This setup will eliminate any problems emanating from the iOS, MacOS, Windows, or Android device software or settings.

Disable Battery-Saver Settings

As explained earlier, devices running on battery power activate battery saver settings when running low on battery power. This function can affect internet access with NordVPN, causing unstable connections.

A smartphone running a VPN application

A smartphone running a VPN application

Contact Support

If all the solutions fail, contact the NordVPN customer support team to inquire about the issue. You will get a better assessment, troubleshooting, and guidance to solve the problem.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, several reasons can cause NordVPN to give you an unreliable connection, but each has a solution.

Advanced VPN users can solve these issues quickly, but consider contacting the NordVPN customer care service team for assistance if new to VPNs.

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