ExpressVPN Not Working – Best Troubleshooting Guide 2023

Last updated: November 16, 2023
William Sams
William Sams
William Sams is an online privacy/security advocate at BestVPN.co, who loves sharing his expert knowledge regarding the latest trends in user privacy, cyber laws, and digital affairs.

Wondering why is your ExpressVPN not working? Experiencing issues while protecting your online activities with ExpressVPN? We have got you covered. ExpressVPN fails to work because of your outdated app, maintenance issues, or antivirus interference.

ExpressVPN is our best-choice service provider to enjoy safe and anonymous online activities. Its lightning-fast servers and advanced features guarantee a seamless connection. But even the best VPN and top-developed software tools break and unexpectedly throw frustrating errors.

Fortunately, you can resolve these issues by updating the app, disabling the antivirus, clearing the DNS cache, or replacing the VPN.

In this post, we will discuss the practical tricks and best troubleshooting steps for ExpressVPN not working and make it work on different devices.

Find more insights in our ExpressVPN review.

Causes behind ExpressVPN not working:

  • Your desired VPN server is under maintenance
  • Your firewall or antivirus is blocking your VPN
  • Your ExpressVPN server is overloaded or overcrowded
  • Your ExpressVPN app is outdated

Best Troubleshoot Steps for ExpressVPN Not Working

ExpressVPN-in-USA

ExpressVPN not working Reddit queries are growing increasingly. If your ExpressVPN not working on iPhone or other devices, you can apply one or more techniques listed below.

Let us go over the explanation of these steps below:

1. Verify internet connection

The first thing you should check is your internet connection. Your VPN will not work unless you have an active internet connection. If your WiFi or data connection isn’t working properly, you need to fix it.

If your ExpressVPN connected but no internet service working, follow the simple method discussed next. Go to the device Settings and check if you are connected to the internet service available. Moreover, you can use ExpressVPN’s IP Address Checker to see if you have been connected to the VPN and assigned an IP address corresponding to your server location.

Alternatively, you can run a DNS leak test to verify whether you have a successful VPN connection. If you have a successful connection, you will get “No leaks detected…”

Check our ExpressVPN speed test; on a 100 Mbps internet connection, we received a download speed of 89.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps on average.

ExpressVPN-speed-test-in-USA

ExpressVPN provided excellent speeds on a 100 Mbps internet connection.

2. Switch ExpressVPN server

The second technique we suggest is to switch your ExpressVPN server. If your existing ExpressVPN server is having issues, you should simply change it and connect to another server location of your choice.

Sign in to your account using your credentials. Open the location list and you will find two tabs providing VPN LOCATIONS and OTHER OPTIONS. Select a different location by expanding the list with ^ and v signs.


3. Update ExpressVPN app

If your ExpressVPN not working Windows 10, there could be any issues in the app. For instance, outdated app versions or uninstalled updates can prevent your VPN from working as usual. Therefore, you must update your ExpressVPN frequently to resolve app-related issues.

To update ExpressVPN,

  1. First, uninstall/remove the app from your device.
  2. Navigate to the ExpressVPN website and download the latest ExpressVPN version available
  3. Install the ExpressVPN app on your device
  4. Log in to your account using the credentials
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4. Try a different VPN protocol

ExpressVPN provides a robust set of protocols. Its self-developed Lightway protocol is very popular and highly recommended to be used as your VPN protocol in combination with IKEv2 and OpenVPN.

Although IPsec/L2TP offers encryption services, attackers can find methods to decrypt and crack the communication. Moreover, OpenVPN UDP is the default protocol used by ExpressVPN, which is blocked in certain countries like the Middle Eastern region.

We suggest you change the VPN protocols and try to check the ones that work for you.

To change the VPN protocol, use the following steps:

  1. Click on the three horizontal lines icon to access the menu
  2. Click on Options
  3. Press on Protocol and select one of the available options
  4. Hit Okay 
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5. Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily

If your ExpressVPN not working even after fixing connection issues and app updates, you need to check for the other factors that may be blocking the app. Your firewall or antivirus may be stopping your VPN from running at all to protect your device.

To temporarily disable ExpressVPN, try the following steps:

  1. Click on the Windows key from your keyboard or taskbar
  2. Choose Firewall & Network Protection and you can find all your firewall connections
  3. Turn off the firewall by flipping its blue switch
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6. Flush DNS cache

Sometimes, your system fails to communicate due to ExpressVPN DNS issues and you lose access to the internet. Therefore, if you get an ExpressVPN not working Windows 10 error, you need to clear your DNS cache and flush those settings.

To flush the DNS cache, you can use the following steps:

  1. Press the Windows key
  2. Find the Command Prompt and hit the Enter key
  3. Next, type ‘ipconfig/flushdns’ and hit the Enter key
  4. Then, type ‘ipconfig/registerdns’ and hit the Enter key
  5. Type ‘ipconfig/release’ and hit the Enter key
  6. Type ‘ipconfig/renew’ and hit the Enter key
  7. Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ and hit the Enter key
  8. Lastly, restart your PC
  9. Launch ExpressVPN and connect
  10. Verify if you can access internet services
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7. Reduce ExpressVPN device usage

Another possible reason why your ExpressVPN not working can be due to an excessive number of device connections. ExpressVPN allows 8 device connections simultaneously. You can download the VPN on unlimited devices, including virtual machines, but use the VPN on only any 8 at a time.

If you have exceeded the maximum range of devices allowed, ExpressVPN will not work. Therefore, it is important to make sure you are within the range. However, if you are currently using only 8 devices and still getting a “Connection reached warning”, you should contact the ExpressVPN customer support team.

With one ExpressVPN account subscription, you can try the following combinations:

  • Eight personal computers
  • Three personal computers, three iPhones, one Kindle Fire, and one router
  • For iPhones, two Macbooks, and two iPads
  • Any other similar combination of devices

If you have reached the maximum connection limit and need to connect to some other device, you should disconnect one of the devices currently connected to the VPN by clicking on the Power button.

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8. Contact ExpressVPN support with diagnostic details

ExpressVPN offers a built-in diagnostic system to assist technical experts or developers in troubleshooting issues. Also, ExpressVPN provides customer support 24/7 with live chat and email service. You can easily generate a diagnostic report and forward it to ExpressVPN’s customer support to identify the root cause and find an effective solution.

To create a diagnostic report and share it with customer support, use the following steps:

  1. Click on the three horizontal bars icon
  2. Select Help & Support from the drop-down list
  3. Click on Diagnostic Information 
  4. Press the Contact Support button in the window that appears
  5. Check the box next to “Include Diagnostic Information”, explain the problem you are experiencing by specifying details, and hit Send to Support button.
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Why is ExpressVPN not working with the Router?

If your ExpressVPN not working with the router, the first thing you should check is your internet connection. In the case of a WiFi network, make sure you have chosen the network router with ExpressVPN running actively rather than using the network through the Ethernet cable.

On a LAN connection, you should ensure having a proper router and device connection with the Ethernet cable. Also, you must turn off your WiFi and check your ExpressVPN router setup to verify it is working.


Why is my ExpressVPN not working on Android?

When users find ExpressVPN not working on Android, it can be due to the other VPN apps installed on their device that interfere with ExpressVPN. Moreover, if you have some other VPN profiles running on your Android device, you might face issues with your ExpressVPN.

To fix your ExpressVPN Android issue and enable it to function smoothly, you must erase all other VPN profiles or apps from your device. Follow the steps given next to make these changes:

  1. Open the Settings
  2. Click on WiFi & internet
  3. Finally, click on VPN and remove other profiles/apps
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Why is my ExpressVPN not working on Netflix?

If you are a streaming freak wondering why is ExpressVPN not working with Netflix? ExpressVPN mostly stops working with Netflix when the IP address provided by the VPN gets blocked by the streaming platform.

When you select the United States as your preferred location, ExpressVPN may automatically assign you a server in New York, which has been blocked since 2021. Therefore, you should be careful while selecting the server location.

Furthermore, there can be some other reasons why is ExpressVPN not working with Netflix on your device. Make sure you have an active VPN and Netflix subscription with proper accounts before you access ExpressVPN Netflix.

You must also have the ExpressVPN app installed on your device or its browser extension if you want to access it through a web browser.

Also, Netflix is compatible with a wide range of devices that you can use for Netflix streaming. It supports personal computers, mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and many more devices. You can also various operating systems for streaming by manually configuring ExpressVPN.

Here’s a list of devices that work with Netflix:

  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mac
  • Wireless routers
  • Smart TVs
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Amazon Fire Tablet
  • Chromecast (Google TV)
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Why is my ExpressVPN not working on BBC?

If you are experiencing issues using ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer, it could be due to various reasons. One of the possibilities behind this issue is that your VPN-assigned IP address is blocked by BBC iPlayer. In some cases, it identifies your address and denies all future requests from that address. You can try switching to a VPN server in a different location.

BBC iPlayer is based in the UK and smartly detects and blocks all VPN servers. Therefore, any connection requests from outside the region have a greater chance of being ignored or completely denied.

In certain instances, BBC iPlayer reads your previous location instead of the new one, causing clashes between the addresses. You can easily restart BBC iPlayer and try to clear your cache and cookies.

Also, BBC iPlayer often uses GPS to capture your location data. Your mobile apps mostly record your location with the help of other apps such as Google Maps. In such cases, ExpressVPN fails to mask your location data. Therefore, you should use a GPS spoofing app or access ExpressVPN BBC iPlayer with your phone’s browser.

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Why is my ExpressVPN not working on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime may stop working with ExpressVPN due to several reasons. You need to apply different solutions to help resolve this issue.

If your ExpressVPN connected but no internet service is running on your device, you must first check your network connection. Some of the quick fixes include:

  • When you open Amazon Prime to access the services, and your connection gets blocked by the server because of your location, you should clear your cache and wipe the cookies. This would remove all your previous history and guarantee that no old data stored is blocking services.
  • If your current ExpressVPN server stops working, try changing your server from the same location to access BBC iPlayer.
  • Amazon Prime often runs strict location checks for app users rather than those connected through the web interface. Therefore, you should try using Amazon Prime via the web browser.
  • Sign out of your Amazon Prime and log in again to your account. If the problem persists, try restarting your device.
  • Lastly, if nothing else works, search for app updates and install any latest updates available. Sometimes your outdated version may hold you from using Amazon Prime properly. Updates frequently address bugs and eliminate all connectivity issues.
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FAQs – ExpressVPN Not Working

Yes, ExpressVPN is still working to secure online activities. However, it gets hard to use the VPN during special occasions and important events. Therefore, it is recommended to keep some backup VPNs to be used when one goes down.

ExpressVPN keeps dropping due to several reasons. Your poor internet connectivity can stop you from using the VPN services. Moreover, interference of internet service providers often restricts VPNs from performing smoothly. Overcrowded servers, antivirus/firewall interruption, and other online security applications may also prevent your VPN services.

Your internet may stop working even when ExpressVPN is on because of different issues that include poor internet connectivity, antivirus or security app prevention, or interference from internet service providers.

Users experiencing ExpressVPN unable to connect internet traffic is blocked can try quick fixes. First, you should check your internet connection. Next, try to temporarily block your antivirus and other security apps to see if ExpressVPN starts working.


Conclusion

If your ExpressVPN not working on iPhone, Android, or Windows devices, this guide presents useful tricks for your VPN. The most common reason behind the issue is your poor internet connectivity. Firewall protection, ISP interruption, and outdated app versions can also prevent your VPN from working efficiently.

We have listed effective solutions with comprehensive guidelines to resolve issues like ExpressVPN’s unable to connect internet traffic is blocked on your device. The basic checklist suggests checking your internet connection, restarting your device, updating your VPN app, blocking firewall or antivirus temporarily, clearing cookies and cache, switching to a different VPN server, and reducing the number of connections.

If you are unable to fix the issue, contact ExpressVPN customer support, available 24/7 for help. Get ultimate protection and experience high-class services at US$ 6.67 /mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. Plus, you can claim a complete refund if you are not satisfied with the services within the first 30 days under its money-back policy.

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