WhatsApp doesn’t work with VPN: 5 fixes worth trying (2024)

WhatsApp is one of the biggest free messaging apps in the world, but it remains blocked in some countries. A VPN should help you unlock it, but what if it fails? Our guide explains what to do if WhatsApp isn’t working with your VPN.

If your current VPN isn’t letting you chat or make calls on WhatsApp, it’s not hiding your real location. Our guide on WhatsApp VPN fixes explains how to solve the problem.

Which VPNs work with WhatsApp?

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 WhatsApp abroad?

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

Why is WhatsApp not working with my VPN?

WhatsApp is a region-locked service. If WhatsApp 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. Other messaging apps including textPlus and Snapchat work in the same way.

By using one of our recommended VPNs, you’ll get a temporary IP address that lets you unlock WhatsApp from anywhere in the world.

Typical WhatsApp issues include:

• The messaging app might have blacklisted the servers of your VPN
• You have a bad network connection
• Cookies saved in your browser (desktop or mobile) reveal your actual location, rather than the location you’re trying to mimic.
• Your VPN may be revealing your IP address while messaging with WhatsApp

WhatsApp fixes

1. Check your VPN is up to date

If your VPN doesn’t seem to work with WhatsApp, check that you’re using the most recent version. The team behind the VPN might have fixed a technical issue through an update.

To update your VPN from a computer, load up the VPN and choose Settings. You should be able to find an Update option in there. Clicking Update will usually take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using an Android, simply open the Play Store, tap your profile in the top-right corner and then Manage apps and device. Choose Update or Update all. From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Try using a different VPN server

VPN servers can die at random moments. If WhatsApp isn’t functioning, the issue may lie with the VPN server – swapping to an alternative could improve your experience.

Top-rated VPNs provide numerous servers within each country. For instance, ExpressVPN has a ‘UK – Docklands’ server, along with additional options in East London, London, and the Midlands.

Try disconnecting from the server that you’re using with WhatsApp. Precise steps will vary, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country.

3. Message VPN Customer Support

The most popular VPNs employ teams to address technical issues. If you’re having trouble sending messages on WhatsApp through a VPN, consider reaching out to them for assistance.

Access your VPN provider’s website and head to the Support or Contact Us pages. Some VPNs even provide a 24/7 live chat service for their members, which is great if you’re reaching out late in the day.

4. Reset your VPN

We suggest you try restarting your PC or phone and then relaunch your VPN. If that doesn’t resolve the issue with WhatsApp, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open both your VPN and the messaging app to see what the results are.

5. Check your internet connection

To do this, disconnect from your wi-fi entirely and then reconnect. Once your connection is restored, try your VPN once more and consider restarting your internet router for a thorough reset. Check for a button on the back of your router (you might need a pin to press it down), or consult the brand’s manual online.

You should also run a free internet speed tool such as Ookla and compare results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More WhatsApp fixes:

If you’re on a phone, clear your cache and cookies from WhatsApp. From an iPhone, you need to choose Settings > General > iPhone storage, then choose the WhatsApp app. Select Offload app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear cache.

If you’re using WhatsApp Web, clear your cache and cookies. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. A DNS (domain name system) leak means your usual IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you have a VPN running. We suggest you try our IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit WhatsApp. If not, that’s a sure sign your VPN is broken.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Double-check your credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website.

Check the VPN servers you’re trying are online. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Check that your firewall allows VPN use. If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, 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 using the latest version of your web browser?

Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. If you’ve already updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you tiring out your VPN?

When 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 WhatsApp

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 WhatsApp, 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 WhatsApp 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 WhatsApp Web) 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 fails to unlock WhatsApp. It hosts over 5,000 servers in more than 50 countries, and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption.

NordVPN won’t keep tabs on how you’re using it, so privacy is guaranteed. We really enjoy the CyberSec add-on, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers the risk of your device being infected with malware.

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

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 WhatsApp-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 WhatsApp, 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

PureVPN is one of our favourites to recommend for those that want to enjoy WhatsApp. It’s easy to use, and members have access to optimised servers specifically designed to reduce load times.

With this VPN, data is encrypted and you’re completely anonymous while messaging on WhatsApp. 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.

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

FAQs: Using WhatsApp with a VPN

Is WhatsApp geo-blocked?

A significant number of countries have no issue with WhatsApp use, but a couple do. The list of countries that restrict WhatsApp to some extent include China, North Korea, the UAE and Qatar. This is due to a mixture of security and political reasons.

How to use WhatsApp Web with a VPN

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 based in a country that officially supports WhatsApp.
4. Once you’re connected, load up WhatsApp Web.
5. Log in to your account and enjoy.

Can I use a free VPN with WhatsApp?

If your current VPN isn’t letting you enjoy WhatsApp, you might be thinking about a free VPN to save money. However, we recommend that you stay away from free VPNs.

Some free VPNs aren’t safe. Because you don’t pay a standard, monthly fee, free VPNs for WhatsApp might sell your personal data just to make a profit. Plus, they might take ages to connect to a server compatible with WhatsApp, and your connection could drop without warning.

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