VPN Not Working With Ethernet (Fix Guide)

Many users face a strange problem: their VPN works perfectly on Wi-Fi but stops as soon as they switch to a wired connection. If your VPN is not working with Ethernet or you get errors like “VPN failed to establish connection”, “No internet when VPN is on”, or the VPN app stuck on “Connecting”, you’re dealing with an Ethernet-specific setup issue.

This guide explains step-by-step how to fix a VPN not working with Ethernet cable, why it happens on wired networks, and what advantages you gain once it is fixed.

How to Fix VPN Not Working With Ethernet

1. Confirm You’re on Ethernet Only

• Click the network icon in the taskbar.
• Turn Wi-Fi Off so only the wired connection stays active.
• Make sure “Ethernet Connected” shows. Push the cable in firmly.

2. Restart VPN and Cable

• Quit the VPN app completely.
• Unplug the Ethernet cable for 5 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Reopen the VPN and connect to a different server.

3. Toggle Ethernet Adapter

• Press Windows key → Settings → Network & Internet.
• Click Advanced network settings → Ethernet → Disable.
• Wait 10 seconds, then Enable.
• Try VPN again.

4. Make IP and DNS Automatic

• Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet.
• Edit IP assignment and set to Automatic (DHCP).
• Edit DNS assignment and set to Automatic.

5. Test With Public DNS

• In the same menu, switch DNS to Manual.
• Turn IPv4 On and enter:
  • Preferred: 1.1.1.1
  • Alternate: 8.8.8.8
• Save and reconnect VPN.

6. Reset Network Stacks

• Press Windows key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and Run as administrator.
• Enter these commands one by one:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

• Restart the PC and test the VPN.

7. Check Proxy Settings

• Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
• Set Use a proxy server to Off.
• Leave Automatically detect settings On.

8. Update Ethernet Drivers

• Right-click Start → Device Manager.
• Expand Network adapters and right-click Ethernet → Update driver.
• If no update is found, uninstall the device and restart to reinstall.

9. Adjust VPN App Settings

• Change the VPN protocol: try WireGuard first. If it fails, switch to OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP (443), or IKEv2.
• Disable Kill switch and Split tunneling.
• Enable Stealth or Obfuscation mode if available.
• Test multiple server locations.

10. Router Checks

• Plug the Ethernet cable into a different LAN port.
• Restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
• Test the same laptop on another router. If the VPN works there, the first router is blocking traffic.

11. Final Checks

• Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall and test again.
• Try VPN on another device with the same wired connection.
• Confirm your IP changes at whatismyipaddress.com before and after connecting.

Quick Fix in 3 Easy Steps

1. Disable and re-enable the Ethernet adapter.
2. Reset the network stack with the commands in Step 6.
3. In your VPN app, set protocol to OpenVPN TCP (443) and reconnect.

Why VPN Works on Wi-Fi but Not Ethernet

If your VPN works on Wi-Fi but not Ethernet, the cause is usually a misconfiguration in your wired setup. Common issues include:

• IP or DNS settings that differ between Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
• Router or firewall rules that block VPN protocols on LAN ports.
• Outdated or corrupted Ethernet drivers.
• Proxies or corporate filters that affect only the wired connection.
• DNS conflicts that prevent the VPN tunnel from establishing.

In some cases, the wired network itself may block VPN protocols. This is a common reason why VPNs get blocked on certain networks.

Advantages of VPN on Ethernet After Fixing It

Ethernet connections give VPNs an edge in both speed and reliability. A closer look at how VPNs perform on Ethernet shows why they often deliver more consistent results than Wi-Fi.

• More stable connection with no wireless drops.
• Faster speeds with consistent bandwidth.
• Lower latency, ideal for gaming and calls.
• Reduced local risks compared to public Wi-Fi.
• Reliable performance for heavy downloads and 4K streaming.

It is worth remembering that VPNs can sometimes create their own connectivity conflicts. If you notice browsing or speed issues even after fixing Ethernet, check whether your VPN is causing internet problems in the background.

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