GTA Online not working with VPN: the solution (2024)

Rockstar’s GTA Online is one of the best multiplayer titles around. You need a strong internet connection with zero lag to win, so you might need a VPN to jump between servers. If your VPN isn’t working with GTA Online, see our tips.

Based on our research, Rockstar has the ability to blacklist VPN servers and make your software useless. Work through our fixes below.

Which VPNs work with GTA Online?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Why is my VPN not working with GTA Online?

A reliable VPN can help you access GTA Online from anywhere in the world and you can jump between servers to see which one works best for you.

Your VPN isn’t working with GTA Online and that’s probably because it’s not secure or it’s not hiding your location. The VPN servers you have available to you could be blacklisted by Rockstar.

In summary, common reasons for GTA Online failing:

• Your VPN servers might have been blacklisted by the game developer
• Your VPN is leaking your IP address, which causes issues
• You haven’t configured your VPN correctly

Try these GTA Online fixes

1. Update your VPN

Ensure you’re running the latest version as issues will have been patched. You need to take a trip to your VPN settings.

From your PC, open the VPN and then the Settings or Options menu. Some VPNs that we’ve tested will display a message telling you about updates. Clicking Update will take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new in the latest build.

2. Use a different VPN server to play

VPN servers can sometimes become unavailable or slower than usual. That’s no good if you’re trying to blast your way through GTA servers based around the world.

The best VPNs that we’ve been hands-on with offer multiple servers for each country. ExpressVPN has a UK Docklands server as well as alternatives in East London. We suggest you go between them and see which one works best.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using and choose another. ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

3. Contact a VPN support team

Our recommended VPN providers all manage support teams. For times when GTA Online isn’t working with your VPN, reach out to an expert for step-by-step guidance.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

4. Reset your VPN

The off and on again trick often works with computer issues and we’ve found that the same goes with VPNs. If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and GTA and see if performance has improved.

5. Check your internet connection

The problem might be with your own internet connection rather than your VPN.

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router. Speeds of 5-10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

Run a free download speed tool and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More GTA Online fixes to try:

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. This implies your regular IP address and location can be seen by websites and apps, even when using a VPN. Test the effectiveness of your VPN using the IP Address Lookup tool – this way, you can check if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and run GTA. If there’s no change, it shows your VPN is not functioning properly.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website so you get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? It might be that your provider is experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN? Make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Are you overworking your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

Best VPNs for GTA Online

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

To jump between GTA Online servers from any country in the world, use ExpressVPN today. It’s really easy to use, very fast and perfect for unlocking multiplayer games. With ExpressVPN installed, all you need to do is connect to a server in a supported country and you can easily play GTA Online from anywhere.

ExpressVPN hides your real IP address, which makes it impossible for games to see that you’re playing from outside a specific area. With servers available in over 90 countries, ExpressVPN users enjoy global coverage. ExpressVPN is compatible with loads of devices, including Macs, Android smartphones and tablets and iOS devices.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy is an excellent choice if you want a VPN that works with GTA Online. It uses encryption technology to keep cybercriminals away, also featuring public wi-fi security to protect your device from viruses. For multiplayer games, it’s a great tool for jumping between servers and lowering your ping.

With Ivacy, you can game on GTA Online from anywhere in the world. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your personal information from being sold to other companies.

Ivacy is one of the most popular VPNs that works with GTA Online. If you try it today, you get instant access to over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide. A subscription is valid for up to 10 devices at once.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

NordVPN is another exceptional VPN that lets you game on GTA Online. It has servers worldwide, protected by military-grade encryption. Plus, NordVPN’s technology keeps you safe on public wi-fi without damaging your network speeds.

The servers are highly secure and you can connect without handing over your personal information – NordVPN doesn’t spy on you. You can also try the CyberSec tool, which blocks dangerous websites and lowers the chance of your device being infected with malware.

With NordVPN, you can use GTA Online anywhere in minutes. Just connect to a suitable VPN server and go from there. Note that NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service to assist you.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is one of our top recommendations for GTA Online. With optimised servers designed to reduce load times, it’s easy to use and provides a great gaming experience.

One of the best features of PureVPN is the encryption of data, which ensures complete anonymity. Plus, there’s a 24-hour support team available to answer any questions you might have. Even if you’re not currently based in a supported country, PureVPN makes it easy to bypass geo-locked apps and games.

With over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries worldwide, PureVPN provides ample opportunities for unlocking GTA Online. If you’re not completely satisfied after trying it out, the brand offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

How to use a VPN with GTA Online: step-by-step guide

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server.
4. Once you’re connected, load up GTA Online.
5. Log in to your GTA Online account and enjoy. If your ping is too high, you can try swapping the server you’re connected to.

Can I use a free VPN with GTA Online?

If your current VPN is broken, you might want to try a free VPN to save money. However, we suggest you stay away from free VPNs for these key reasons:

Free VPNs might sell your data for money since they do not charge a regular, monthly fee. Connecting to a server might take a long time and your connection could drop without warning.

Top, paid-for VPNs have servers all over the world, letting you access websites and apps. On the other hand, free VPNs often provide coverage for a very limited number of countries.

As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.