How to Check Whether Your VPN Is Working
The strongest simple check is to compare your public IP before and after connecting, then review DNS, IPv6, and browser signals that matter to your setup.
How it works
A VPN status indicator shows that an app believes it is connected; it does not by itself prove every application route is using the tunnel. A changed public IP is useful evidence. Detection databases can add context, but they cannot guarantee that a VPN is working correctly or identify every private service.
Use a repeatable process: write down the public IP and country estimate, connect to the intended VPN server, then refresh the same check. If the address changes, inspect the new network and any privacy signals without assuming that a database label proves complete protection.
If results are inconsistent, test one variable at a time. Turn off split tunnelling temporarily if appropriate, ensure the correct profile is selected, and ask the VPN provider about IPv6 and DNS handling for your platform.
Practical guidance
- Record your public IP on your normal connection.
- Connect the VPN and refresh the IP check; the visible address should normally change.
- Run the VPN workflow and WebRTC test, then compare any unexpected IPv6 or DNS behavior with the VPN provider's support guidance.
Common question
Why might a VPN show the same IP? The connection may have failed, split tunnelling may be enabled, or the original network may already use a shared gateway.