Why is Surfshark not connecting?

The current server or protocol may be unreachable, another VPN can own the route, a network can block VPN traffic, or a stale adapter and Kill Switch state can prevent the tunnel.

How do I fix Surfshark stuck on Connecting?

Try another nearby location, then switch between WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, and OpenVPN TCP. Fully quit the app and restart the device if the virtual adapter stays stuck.

Why does Surfshark say Connection failed?

The app did not complete the VPN handshake. Change server and protocol, verify the base internet connection, and compare another trusted network to isolate a local block.

Why is Surfshark connected but there is no internet?

DNS, routing, or Kill Switch may remain blocked after the tunnel forms. Disconnect inside the app, verify Kill Switch state, restart, and reconnect before editing unrelated settings.

What does Other VPN detected mean in Surfshark?

Another VPN app, corporate tunnel, DNS filter, or old profile may be competing for the same network routes. Quit the competing client and remove only profiles you recognize as obsolete.

Why does Surfshark stop connecting after sleep?

The app service or virtual adapter may not recover cleanly after the device wakes. Fully quit Surfshark, restart the device, and update the app if the behavior repeats.

Why does Surfshark work on one network but not another?

A router, captive portal, school, workplace, or ISP path may block the current protocol. Complete portal login and use another supported protocol instead of weakening security software.

Should I change DNS when Surfshark will not connect?

Only after server, protocol, clean disconnect, and restart checks. DNS usually affects name resolution after a tunnel exists, while a stuck handshake often has another cause.

Should I reinstall Surfshark?

Reinstall after simpler checks fail. If support is investigating, save diagnostic logs first because uninstalling can remove evidence of the service or adapter failure.

How can another VPN help diagnose Surfshark?

If another provider connects on the same device and network, the router and ISP probably allow VPNs and the failure is more likely specific to Surfshark's app, server path, or account.

Guide

11 min readJul 30, 2026

Surfshark Not Connecting? Fix Connection Failed and No Internet

Fix Surfshark stuck on Connecting, connection failed, other VPN detected, connected with no internet, or failing after sleep and app updates.

Quick answer

Verify normal internet without Surfshark, try another location, then change between WireGuard and OpenVPN. Quit competing VPN or filter apps, recover a stale Kill Switch state, and restart once. If Surfshark still fails on every combination, stop changing unrelated DNS and router settings: test one paid alternative on the same network. A successful connection identifies a Surfshark-specific failure; keep the alternative only if it passes the same test.

Diagnose my symptom See compatible alternatives below

Surfshark connection troubleshooter

Surfshark not connecting usually means the app is stuck before the tunnel forms, another VPN or security filter owns the route, the selected protocol is blocked, or Kill Switch keeps internet access closed after a failed attempt.

Identify the failure

Match the visible symptom.

Change one thing

Retest once after the change.

Verify the result

Confirm the intended traffic path.

Rule out a Surfshark-specific failure

Repeated connection errors cost more time than one clean comparison

Once location, protocol, competing-app, and restart checks fail, unrelated DNS and router changes are unlikely to help.

Test one alternative on the same network; a successful connection isolates the failure to Surfshark.

Compare VPNs for a same-network test

Diagnose the Surfshark connection failure

Pick the exact symptom. “Cannot connect” and “connected but no internet” need different fixes.

Recommended next check

Change location and protocol first

Try another nearby location, then switch between WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, and OpenVPN TCP.

Run the ordered fixes

Fix Surfshark not connecting step by step

Start with reversible checks and leave reinstallation for last.

1
Verify the base connection
Disconnect Surfshark and confirm normal browsing works. Complete any hotel, school, or public-Wi-Fi captive portal before reconnecting the VPN.
2
Try another location
Choose a nearby non-static location first. If one endpoint is unavailable, another often confirms that the account and app are healthy.
3
Change protocol
Try WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, and OpenVPN TCP one at a time. A network can block one protocol while allowing another.
4
Quit competing VPN and filter apps
Only one system tunnel can own certain routes cleanly. Close other VPNs, corporate clients, DNS filters, and traffic-monitoring apps for the test.
5
Recover from Kill Switch or adapter state
Disconnect inside Surfshark, check Kill Switch, fully quit the app, and restart the device. Reconnect before changing unrelated router settings.
6
Reinstall as the final local step
Use the normal uninstall process, restart, then install the current app. Preserve diagnostic logs if support has asked for them.

Surfshark connection symptom matrix

Match the app message with what happens outside the tunnel.

What you see	Most likely cause	Best next action
Connection failed / unable to connect	Server or protocol handshake failure	Change location, then protocol, then test another trusted network.
Other VPN detected	Competing adapter, profile, or filtering app	Quit the competing client and remove only obsolete VPN profiles.
Connected but no internet	DNS, route, or Kill Switch state	Disconnect cleanly, restart the app/device, and reconnect before editing DNS.
Works until the computer wakes	Suspended service or virtual adapter	Fully quit Surfshark, restart, and install the current version if it repeats.

Preserve diagnostics before a clean reinstall

If support is actively investigating a repeatable connection failure, export or submit diagnostics before uninstalling. Reinstallation can remove the evidence needed to identify a service or adapter crash.

3 VPNs with different strengths

If Surfshark still will not connect, test the network with another VPN

A replacement test distinguishes a Surfshark-specific failure from a router, ISP, firewall, or device-wide VPN block. Test the same device, network, and time of day so the comparison answers one question clearly.

First alternative

NordVPN

Protects millions of users worldwide
Six independent no-logs assurance engagements
Open-source Linux GUI and CLI
30-day refund window for eligible purchases

Audited alternative

Proton VPN

100M+ Proton accounts across its privacy ecosystem
Five consecutive annual independent no-logs audits
Open-source VPN apps with public code
30-day refund window for eligible paid-plan purchases

Budget alternative

PureVPN

3M+ users and 17 years in cybersecurity
Fourth consecutive independent no-log assessment
ISO 27001-certified information security program
31-day refund window for eligible initial purchases

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Frequently asked questions

Retest before you pay or reinstall again

Retest the original failure once and note which server, protocol, or network restored it.

Run NAT Checker

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