A VPN leak occurs when data that should travel through the encrypted VPN tunnel instead escapes and travels over your regular internet connection. The result: your real IP address, DNS queries, or both become visible to websites and your ISP - exactly what the VPN was supposed to prevent.
Types of VPN Leaks
| Leak Type | What Leaks | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| DNS leak | Your DNS queries (sites you look up) | OS sends DNS to ISP servers instead of VPN's |
| IP leak | Your real public IP | VPN misconfiguration or split-tunnel issue |
| WebRTC leak | Your local and public IP | Browser's WebRTC API bypasses VPN tunnel |
| IPv6 leak | Your IPv6 address | VPN only tunnels IPv4, leaving IPv6 exposed |
How to Detect a VPN Leak
Use our VPN Leak Test. It checks your displayed IP, DNS servers, and WebRTC state. If the test shows your real IP or ISP's DNS servers while you are connected to a VPN, you have a leak.
How to Fix a VPN Leak
- DNS leak - Enable "DNS leak protection" in your VPN settings, or manually set DNS to your VPN provider's servers.
- WebRTC leak - Disable WebRTC in your browser settings, or install a WebRTC blocking extension.
- IPv6 leak - Enable IPv6 leak protection in your VPN, or disable IPv6 in your OS network settings.
- IP leak - Enable the VPN kill switch and reconnect. If it persists, try a different VPN server or protocol.
People Also Ask
- How to tell if a VPN is leaking?
- Run our VPN Leak Test while connected to your VPN. If it shows your real IP or your ISP's DNS server, the VPN is leaking.
- Can a VPN leak data?
- Yes, through DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 channels that are not properly tunneled. This is why testing your VPN after setup is important.
Related: DNS leak explained | WebRTC leak explained | Test your VPN