Practical VPN checks
How to Check Your VPN Is Working
A VPN should change your public IP address and route traffic through the VPN provider. This guide shows practical checks you can run in a browser or terminal to confirm the VPN is active.
Check your IP before connecting, connect to the VPN, then check again. If the IP and location do not change, something may be wrong.
Browser checks
Check your public IP address
- Disconnect from the VPN.
- Search for “what is my IP” and note the result.
- Connect to the VPN.
- Search again and compare the IP and location.
If the VPN is working, the public IP should normally change to an address associated with the VPN server.
Terminal checks
Check your VPN with command line tools
On Linux or macOS, you can check your public IP with curl:
curl https://ifconfig.meExample output:
203.0.113.42You can also check a DNS-based IP lookup:
dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.comRun the command before and after connecting to the VPN. The output should change if the VPN is routing traffic correctly.
Things to check
Signs your VPN is working
The IP after connecting should be different from your normal ISP IP.
DNS lookups should not reveal your normal ISP DNS servers.
If the VPN disconnects, the kill switch should prevent accidental traffic leaks.
FAQ
VPN checking FAQ
Why does my IP still show my real location?
The VPN may not be connected, your browser may be showing cached or approximate data, or only some traffic is routed through the VPN.
Can DNS leak even when my IP changes?
Yes. Your public IP can change while DNS requests still use your ISP. That is why DNS leak testing matters.
Should I test on every device?
Yes. VPN behaviour can differ between desktop apps, mobile apps, browser extensions and router setups.
Related VPN privacy guide
Does a VPN hide your IP?
Learn what a VPN hides, what it does not hide, and how logins, cookies, browser fingerprinting and DNS leaks can still matter.