WeChat not working with VPN: 5 QUICK solutions

WeChat is a messaging service developed by Tencent that remains blocked in some countries. A VPN will unlock the app right away, but what if it stops working? Our guide explains what to do if your VPN isn’t working with WeChat.

If your VPN isn’t letting you access messages on WeChat, it’s not hiding your real location. The WeChat app is designed to work in specific countries only, so a dodgy VPN will keep you locked out while you’re abroad.

Which VPNs work with WeChat?

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.

Can I use WeChat abroad?

Most of the time, the answer is yes. However, as some select countries have blocked the WeChat app and its offerings entirely, you might need a VPN to continue using your account. A VPN spoofs your location, which means WeChat services will think you’re in a supported country even if you’re not.

If the WeChat app identifies your IP address and sees that you’re not in a supported country, the service will lock up and you won’t be able to message your contacts.

Common issues with WhatsApp:

• The messaging app has blacklisted your VPN servers.
• You have a bad network connection preventing you from sending messages and making calls.
• Cookies are revealing your real location on WhatsApp Web instead of the location you’re trying to mimic.
• Your VPN is broken and revealing your IP address.

Try these WeChat fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you can’t use the messaging app while traveling, make sure you’re using the most recent version of your VPN.

• From a computer, go to VPN Settings. Look for an Update option, which will redirect you to the VPN provider’s website.
• From an iPhone, open the App Store and, in the top-right corner, tap on your user profile. From there, you can easily check for and install any available updates.
• From an Android, update your VPN using the Play Store. Start by tapping on your profile icon in the corner and then select Manage apps and devices.

2. Swap to another server

We recommend disconnecting from your current server and trying an alternative that supports WeChat. The exact steps for this change depending on the VPN service you’re using. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Send a message to Customer Support

The VPN services we’ve recommended below have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If WeChat isn’t working with your VPN, don’t hesitate to reach out.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching servers didn’t fix the problem, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall the software. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and WeChat and try 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. A hard reset like this can solve WeChat problems.

You can also assess your internet connection by running a free internet speed test, such as Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

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

Clear out 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. It may seem obvious, but check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Incorrect credentials could be the reason WeChat isn’t working.

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. Always check your VPN servers if WeChat stops working.

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

Are you using the right browser? Ensure that your web browser is compatible with your VPN. If you’ve updated your VPN, don’t forget to update your browser as well. On Chrome, access Settings > About Chrome.

Are you tiring out your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming, and using social media simultaneously, your VPN might struggle to keep up. Try closing a few apps to see if it improves your VPN performance.

The best VPNs for WeChat

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)

If the VPN you have at the moment isn’t letting you use WeChat, try ExpressVPN for 30 days. Our own connection tests prove this is one of the best VPNs around, and it’s fast regardless of where you’re based. To use WeChat from anywhere, simply open up ExpressVPN and connect to a server in a supported country.

This popular VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, which means sites (including the desktop version of WeChat) won’t know what you’re up to. Every ExpressVPN member has access to more than 150 servers in over 90 countries around the world.

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

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 lets you use region-locked apps from anywhere, which is ideal if your current VPN isn’t working with WeChat. It hosts over 5,000 servers in more than 50 countries, and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption.

To unlock the full WeChat experience, just connect to a NordVPN server based in a country that supports WeChat. If you need help, you can contact NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat experts.

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

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

If you’re in a country that blocks WeChat, we recommend Ivacy. This trusted VPN is one of the most affordable options, and it supports 256-bit encryption which keeps cybercriminals away. Ivacy also offers public wi-fi security to protect devices against malware when connecting to public hotspots.

This WeChat-friendly VPN enforces a strict no-logs policy, which prevents your valuable personal data from being sold to third parties. By downloading the software today for WeChat, you get instant access to over 5,000 VPN servers in over 100 locations around the world. A single Ivacy subscription covers up to 10 different 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

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

With this VPN, data is encrypted and you’re completely anonymous while messaging on WeChat. There’s a 24-hour support team, so you can reach out if you have a question. PureVPN is a great VPN that allows you to bypass geo-locked apps without a fuss, even if you’re not currently based in a supported country.

If you’re not fully convinced by this VPN after trying it out, you can easily take advantage of the brand’s 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 As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.