How to Fix Connection Timed Out on Proton VPN

If you’re using Proton VPN and see a “connection timed out” error, you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, but there are steps to fix it. I’ll show you how to get back online and enjoy secure browsing with Proton VPN. We’ll cover trying different servers, adjusting your firewall and antivirus, and more. Let’s get you connected again¹².

Try a Different Server

If you’re seeing a “connection timed out” error with Proton VPN, try using a different server. Sometimes, we take servers offline for maintenance, causing connection issues³. Just pick another server to connect to if one is down.

Server Maintenance and Availability

Proton VPN does regular maintenance on our servers to keep them running well and securely. This means some servers might not work during these times³. Our team works hard to reduce any downtime, but you might need to use a different server during maintenance.

Retiring Servers for Technical Reasons

Sometimes, we have to retire servers for technical reasons. This could be because of hardware problems, software issues, or other things that affect how well a server works or stays reliable⁴. If a server is retired, you’ll need to use another one to keep your VPN connection stable.

Change the VPN Protocol

If you’re having trouble with Proton VPN, try switching the VPN protocol. Proton VPN offers different protocols, each with its own strengths in security, speed, and stability⁵.

Understanding VPN Protocols

The Stealth protocol is great for getting past censorship and restrictions⁵. Or, use the Smart Protocol, which picks the best protocol for your network automatically⁵.

• WireGuard TCP is now available on Android, Windows, Android TV, macOS, and iOS/iPadOS, with more platforms coming soon⁵.
• Our apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS/iPadOS support the Smart Protocol for anti-censorship⁵.
• Smart Protocol is on by default in supported apps and must be turned off to change VPN protocols⁵.
• You can choose from Smart, WireGuard, OpenVPN – UDP, Stealth, or OpenVPN – TCP in the Proton VPN app settings⁵.
• To use alternative VPN protocols or Smart Protocol on macOS, you need a system extension⁵.
• Switching to OpenVPN or WireGuard on macOS creates a new network service and installs a new System Extension⁵.

Using Stealth or Smart Protocol

The Stealth protocol is great for getting past censorship and restrictions by making VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic⁵. The Smart Protocol picks the best protocol for you based on your network, ensuring a stable and reliable connection⁵.

Check Your Proton VPN Subscription Status

If your Proton VPN subscription has expired, you might find your account downgraded to the free plan⁷. This means you’ll have less access to servers and features you had with your paid plan. To get back to Proton VPN’s full premium features, you need to resubscribe to a paid plan⁷.

Proton VPN has different paid plans like Proton VPN Plus, Proton Unlimited, and Visionary (for legacy users only)⁸. Each plan offers various levels of access and features. It’s key to look at the details and pick the best one for you⁷.

To see your current Proton VPN subscription status, log in to your account on the Proton VPN website or open the Proton VPN app on your device. There, you’ll find your plan details, when it expires, and how to renew or upgrade your subscription⁷.

If you’ve missed your Proton VPN subscription, don’t worry – you can easily resubscribe to get back to the full range of features and servers⁷. Just make sure to resubscribe before your free plan ends to avoid any VPN service interruptions⁷.

Knowing your Proton VPN subscription status and the plans available helps you get the service and features you need⁷. Whether you’re using the free plan or a paid subscription, keeping an eye on your Proton VPN account ensures you’re getting the most out of your VPN⁷.

Adjust Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewalls and antivirus software might block your Proton VPN connection, causing “connection timed out” errors⁹. To fix this, try turning off your firewall or antivirus and see if you can connect to Proton VPN again⁹. If it works, you’ll need to make a rule in your firewall to let Proton VPN through.

Allowing Proton VPN in Firewall

It’s important to set up your firewall to let Proton VPN through⁹. You can do this by adding Proton VPN to the list of allowed apps or making a rule for the VPN’s ports and protocols⁹. This stops your firewall from blocking the VPN and causing “connection timed out” errors.

Setting up your firewall right ensures Proton VPN can connect securely and reliably, avoiding “connection timed out” errors⁹.

If you’re still having trouble, your antivirus might be the issue¹⁰. Try turning off your antivirus or mark Proton VPN as trusted⁹. This lets the VPN work without your antivirus flagging it as a threat.

Ensure Correct System Time

Keeping the right system time on your device is key for a good Proton VPN connection. If your system time is wrong, it can stop the SSL certificate from being verified, leading to connection problems¹¹. In fact, up to 22% of issues with Proton VPN come from incorrect system time settings¹¹.

Updating System Time on Various Platforms

Changing the system time is easy on most devices. On Windows 10, go to the Date & Time settings to set the time right or turn on automatic updates¹¹. On macOS, adjust the date and time in the System Preferences panel¹¹. For Linux users, it depends on the distribution, but you can usually change the system clock via the command line or a graphical interface¹¹. Chromebook users can update the time by going to the Date & Time settings in the device’s Settings menu¹¹.

Make sure your system time is correct to improve your Proton VPN connection. Studies show that fixing the system time can solve connection problems in up to 85% of cases¹¹. So, if you’re having trouble with Proton VPN, check and update your device’s system time.

Verify Internet Connection

Proton VPN works best with a stable internet connection. If you’re having trouble, check your internet setup first¹².

Troubleshooting WiFi and Mobile Internet

Try moving closer to your router if you’re on WiFi. Or, switch to a wired connection for better signal¹³. If you’re on mobile, make sure your signal is strong. Restarting your device or router might fix any issues¹³.

Proton VPN’s performance depends on your internet quality. Fixing WiFi or mobile internet issues can make your VPN work better¹².

How to Fix Connection Timed Out on Proton VPN

Identifying the Root Cause

If you’re seeing a “connection timed out” error with Proton VPN, start by figuring out why. This could be from server upkeep, your network setup, or problems with your Proton VPN account³. Check your system settings, network, and Proton VPN’s status to troubleshoot.

Contacting Proton VPN Support

If you’ve tried changing servers, tweaking your firewall and antivirus, and checking your system time, but the issue stays, contact Proton VPN support¹⁴. They’re skilled in fixing these problems and can give you tailored advice to solve the issue.

When you reach out to Proton VPN support, be ready to share details about your setup, the error messages you see, and any troubleshooting steps you’ve done. This info helps the support team find the problem fast and suggest the best fix¹⁴.

The Proton VPN team is committed to giving you a smooth VPN experience. By working with them, you’ll get your Proton VPN connection back to normal. This lets you enjoy the privacy and security it offers¹⁴.

Bypass Censorship and Restrictions

Proton VPN is a privacy-focused VPN service that cares deeply about internet censorship. If you’re in a country with strict internet rules, you might need to use Proton VPN’s alternative routing. This feature helps you get past these limits and connect to the Proton VPN network¹⁵.

Proton VPN connects you to over 60 countries worldwide¹⁵. They offer a free VPN with no logs, ads, or data limits¹⁵.

Using Alternative Routing

Proton VPN’s alternative routing helps users beat censorship and reach the Proton VPN network even when usual VPN methods are blocked. It kicks in when Proton VPN spots censorship, keeping your connection safe and open¹⁶. Most Proton VPN users won’t need this feature since Proton’s services are rarely blocked¹⁶.

Configuring OpenVPN and WireGuard

Setting up OpenVPN or WireGuard can also help you get past censorship. These protocols are tough against blocking, making them great for users in places with strict internet rules¹⁵. Proton VPN’s apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS/iPadOS support these secure protocols. They also have Stealth and Smart Protocol to help you dodge censorship¹⁵.

Proton VPN gives users the tools they need to beat internet censorship and restrictions¹⁶. Proton fights against censorship worldwide and offers anti-censorship tools in its services¹⁶. With Proton VPN, you can get past tough censorship and keep your online freedom and privacy.

Reset the Proton VPN App

If you’re having trouble with the Proton VPN app, a simple reset might fix the problem. Resetting the app brings it back to its original settings. This clears out any issues that might be causing trouble. It’s a good step before looking into more complex fixes.

Steps to Reset the Proton VPN App

1. Close the Proton VPN app completely on your device.
2. Navigate to your device’s settings menu and locate the Proton VPN app.
3. Select the “Reset” or “Clear Data” option for the Proton VPN app. This will clear the app’s cache and restore default settings.
4. Reopen the Proton VPN app and try reconnecting to a server. The reset should have cleared any lingering issues with the reset proton vpn app or clear proton vpn app data.

If resetting the app doesn’t solve the problem, there might be more complex issues. Check your device’s firewall and antivirus settings. Make sure your system time is correct and your Proton VPN subscription is active. You could also try using a different VPN protocol or get help from Proton VPN support.

Resetting the Proton VPN app is a simple way to fix issues. It clears the app’s cache and resets to default settings. This often solves connectivity problems or technical issues. But if problems don’t go away, look into other fixes and contact Proton VPN support if needed.

Disable System-Wide Proxy Settings

If you’re having trouble with Proton VPN, your system-wide proxy settings might be the problem¹⁷. To fix this, turn off any proxy settings on your Windows, macOS, or other device. This will help you use Proton VPN without issues.

Here’s how to disable the system-wide proxy on Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Proxy settings”.
2. Click on “Proxy settings” to open the Settings app.
3. Under “Automatic proxy setup,” toggle the switch to “Off”.
4. Under “Manual proxy setup,” set the “Use a proxy server” option to “Off”.
5. Click “Save” to apply the changes.

For those using macOS, follow these steps:

1. Open the System Preferences and click on “Network”.
2. Select the active network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Click on the “Advanced” button.
4. In the “Proxies” tab, uncheck all the proxy options.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the window.

Disabling the system-wide proxy lets Proton VPN connect directly to its servers without proxy issues¹⁷. This can fix connection problems and make your VPN use more reliable.

In some places like offices or schools, proxies are needed¹⁷. If you’re not sure about your network’s proxy setup, talk to your network admin before changing anything.

Turning off the system-wide proxy is a step towards fixing Proton VPN connection issues¹⁷. If you’re still having trouble, check out our other guides or contact Proton VPN support for help¹⁸.

Conclusion

By following the steps in this guide, I should fix the “connection timed out” issue with Proton VPN¹⁹. The free plan has limits, like only one VPN connection, but Proton VPN is a trusted service for privacy¹⁹. Some users face connection drops, but Proton VPN offers solutions like manual OpenVPN files¹⁹.

To get a smooth VPN experience, I’ll try different servers and adjust the VPN protocol²⁰. Proton VPN uses OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard for security and speed²¹. If problems persist, I’ll contact Proton VPN support for help.

By keeping an eye on my connection, I can keep my Proton VPN secure and reliable¹⁹. Even though some prefer paid VPNs, Proton VPN’s free option is great for online privacy¹⁹.

Source Links

1. https://protonvpn.com/support/vpn-connection-problems
2. https://protonvpn.com/support/common-macos-issues-protonvpn
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4. https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=283938
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13. https://protonvpn.com/support/windows-vpn-issues?srsltid=AfmBOooPASUk0OWUxM7-EZiXbb8qQBZ-PY1BGlB8AKIs4woOjT8r3SMc
14. https://protonvpn.com/support/windows-vpn-issues
15. https://protonvpn.com/blog/bypass-internet-censorship
16. https://proton.me/blog/anti-censorship-alternative-routing
17. https://protonvpn.com/support/windows-vpn-issues?srsltid=AfmBOooJMZ5ITV5L0I00ayozn-SeHdY7pjnqkFT700GZk_fX5P5TYu4-
18. https://protonvpn.com/support/common-macos-issues-protonvpn?srsltid=AfmBOorY0rGL3X98Ee9XyBlwvbVd0rrioOmsjzUQXR3Fd6Ts8mKV6dL2
19. https://poview.org/posts/protonvpn-connection-failing/
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21. https://constantvpn.com/vpn/how-to-fix-connection-timed-out-on-proton-vpn/