Telegram not working with VPN: here are 9 FIXES

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app restricted in certain countries. To unlock it, a reliable VPN is needed to spoof your location. If your VPN isn’t working, see our list of easy fixes.

If your device isn’t hiding your real location from the app or your internet provider, Telegram will interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Keep scrolling for details on how to solve the problem.

Which VPNs work with Telegram?

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 Telegram?

If you’re trying to use the app from a country that isn’t supported, your connection could be blocked. However, a reliable VPN can help you send Telegram messages from anywhere in the world.

Your current VPN isn’t working with Telegram and that’s probably because it’s not hiding your location. The VPN servers you have available to you through your current VPN could be blacklisted by the app or your internet provider.

A list by Scholarly Community Encyclopedia names countries that have limited access to Telegram.

Telegram fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you can’t send and receive messages through the Telegram app, check that you’re using the most recent version of your VPN.

From a computer, go to your VPN Settings screen and look for Update.

On an Android device, you can update your VPN using the Play Store.

From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your user profile.

2. Swap to another server

We suggest disconnecting from your current server and trying another for Telegram. Make sure you pick a server that originates from a country that fully supports the app – the UK or US, for example.

3. Message Customer Support

The VPN services we recommend have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If you’re experiencing difficulties with Telegram, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching servers doesn’t fix your problem, completely uninstall your VPN and reinstall it. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and the Telegram app and try messaging in a community again.

5. Speed test your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN one more time. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a thorough reset by restarting your router.

More Telegram fixes:

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 visit Telegram. If there’s no change, it shows your VPN is not functioning properly.

Clear your cache and cookies. In a Chrome browser, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you’re using an Apple computer with Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly, as it’s easy to make a mistake.

Check the VPN servers. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be to blame. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are transparent about this.

Check your firewall allows VPNs. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

VPNs that work with Telegram

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 send messages on Telegram from anywhere, use ExpressVPN today. It’s user-friendly, fast and effective for accessing region-restricted apps. With ExpressVPN, all you need to do is connect to a server in a country that supports Telegram and you can easily send messages and access groups.

ExpressVPN hides your real IP address, making it difficult for apps to detect that you’re sending messages from a non-supported country. With servers available in more than 90 countries, every ExpressVPN user can benefit from global coverage. ExpressVPN is compatible with various devices including Mac, Android, and iOS smartphones.

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 Telegram-compatible VPN. The service employs 256-bit encryption to ward off cybercriminals, also featuring public wi-fi security to safeguard your devices from malware when connected to hotspots in public areas.

Ivacy is among the most popular VPNs proven to work on Telegram. By trying it out today, you can gain immediate access to over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide. A single Ivacy subscription provides coverage for up to 10 devices at once. Certainly worth a shot if Telegram isn’t working with your VPN.

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 send messages on Telegram. It has servers distributed worldwide, safeguarded by military-grade encryption. Furthermore, NordVPN’s advanced encryption technology allows you to stay secure on public Wi-Fi networks without compromising speed.

With NordVPN, you can send Telegram messages from anywhere in minutes. Simply connect to a VPN server located in a supported country to gain access. Plus, NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service to assist you whenever necessary.

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 sending messages on Telegram. With optimised servers designed to reduce load times, it’s easy to use and provides a great streaming experience.

With over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries worldwide, PureVPN provides ample opportunities for unlocking features on Telegram. Plus, 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 Telegram

If your VPN isn’t working with Telegram, run through these steps:

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 in a country that supports Telegram.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the Telegram website or app.
5. Log in to your Telegram account.

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