Is My VPN Working? — Instant VPN Status Checker

Verify your VPN connection is active and hiding your real IP address

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Checking your VPN status...

Testing your VPN connection. Analyzing your public IP address and detecting whether traffic is routed through a known VPN, tunnel, or proxy service.

How VPN Detection Works

This tool checks whether your internet connection is routed through a VPN by analyzing your public IP address and the organization that owns it. When you use a VPN, your traffic exits through the VPN provider's servers, so your visible IP address belongs to the VPN company rather than your ISP.

We compare your IP's registered organization against a database of known VPN providers, hosting companies, and datacenter operators. If your IP belongs to one of these networks, it's a strong indicator that you're using a VPN or proxy. We also check for timezone mismatches between your browser and your IP's geolocation.

No detection method is 100% accurate. Some VPN providers use residential IP addresses that are harder to identify, and some ISPs operate networks that look similar to datacenters. For the most thorough privacy check, combine this tool with our DNS Leak Test and WebRTC Leak Test.

Complete Your Privacy Check

A VPN status check is just the first step. Ensure your connection is fully protected by testing for other common privacy leaks.

DNS Leak Test — Verify your DNS queries travel through the VPN tunnel. A DNS leak lets your ISP see every website you visit, even with a VPN active.

WebRTC Leak Test — Check if your browser reveals your real IP through WebRTC APIs, which can bypass VPN tunnels entirely.

Browser Fingerprint — See how uniquely identifiable your browser is. Even with a VPN, your browser fingerprint can track you across websites.

IP Lookup — Get detailed information about any IP address including geolocation, ISP, ASN, and network details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my VPN is working?

The easiest way is to check your visible IP address with and without the VPN connected. When your VPN is active, this tool should show a different IP address belonging to your VPN provider, not your real ISP. You should also see a different location corresponding to your VPN server. If your real IP and ISP still appear, your VPN is not working correctly.

Why does my VPN show as not detected even though it's on?

Some VPN providers use residential IP addresses or dedicated IPs that don't appear in datacenter databases, making them harder to detect as VPN traffic. This is actually a feature — it means your VPN traffic looks like regular internet traffic. Check if the displayed IP and location match your VPN server rather than your real location to confirm it's working.

Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?

Without a VPN, your ISP can see every website you visit, and websites can see your real IP address and approximate location. While HTTPS encrypts the content of your communications, it doesn't hide which sites you visit. A VPN adds an additional layer of privacy by encrypting all traffic and masking your IP address.

What should I do if my VPN is not working?

First, try disconnecting and reconnecting to your VPN. If the issue persists, switch to a different VPN server. Check that your VPN app is up to date and that your subscription is active. Enable the kill switch feature if available — this blocks internet access if the VPN disconnects. If problems continue, try switching VPN protocols (WireGuard is generally the most reliable).

Can websites still track me with a VPN?

A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, but websites can still track you through browser fingerprinting, cookies, and logged-in accounts. For maximum privacy, combine your VPN with a privacy-focused browser, clear cookies regularly, and use our Browser Fingerprint tool to see how identifiable your browser is.

All checks run from your browser. No data is stored or sent to our servers.

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