18 December 2025

Why Is My Browser Not Working With NordVPN? Fix Guide

Blog

Using NordVPN is a great way to secure your internet activity, access geo-restricted content, and browse the web privately. However, sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as expected. One of the more common issues users face is their browser suddenly not working properly when connected to NordVPN. Whether your pages aren’t loading, sites remain inaccessible, or streaming services detect your VPN, you’re not alone.

TL;DR

If your browser isn’t working with NordVPN, the issue might be caused by DNS leaks, browser settings, outdated plugins, WebRTC leaks, or even blocking by websites. Try clearing cookies, switching VPN servers, or using NordVPN’s browser extension for quick fixes. Disabling IPv6, checking your firewall or antivirus settings, and tweaking browser privacy configurations can often resolve the issue.

Common Reasons Why Your Browser Is Not Working With NordVPN

Before diving into the specific fixes, it’s helpful to understand what might be causing the problem. Here are some of the most frequent culprits:

Browser incompatibility or extensions interfering
DNS leaks or misconfigured DNS settings
WebRTC leaks exposing your real IP address
Your firewall or antivirus is blocking access
Specific websites or platforms are detecting and blocking VPN traffic
Outdated VPN or browser software

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

1. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Old or conflicting browser cookies and cached data might expose your actual location or interfere with browsing under a VPN.

Fix: Go to your browser settings and clear both cached files and cookies. Afterward, reconnect NordVPN and refresh the browser.

2. Disable WebRTC in Your Browser

WebRTC is a browser-based communication protocol that can leak your real IP address even when using a VPN.

How to disable it:

Chrome/Edge: Use extensions like WebRTC Leak Prevent or uBlock Origin
Firefox: Type about:config, search for media.peerconnection.enabled and set it to false

3. Switch VPN Servers

NordVPN has thousands of servers, and occasionally individual servers can become slow, blocked by certain websites, or suffer from overload.

Fix: Open your NordVPN app and switch to a different location. For better speed and access, choose the server recommended by NordVPN or try a server in a neighboring region.

4. Use NordVPN Browser Extensions

NordVPN offers lightweight browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that use proxy connections for quicker access. These are especially useful when only browser traffic (not system-wide traffic) needs to go through the VPN.

Benefits include:

Faster connection speeds for browsing
Built-in WebRTC leak protection
Guard against tracking and ads

5. Disable IPv6 on Your System

IPv6 can sometimes cause leaks if not properly routed through the VPN tunnel. Since not all VPN services (including NordVPN) fully support IPv6, this can cause address conflicts or expose your location.

How to disable IPv6 (Windows):

Go to Network and Sharing Center
Choose your active connection and click Properties
Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
Click OK and restart your system

6. Check DNS Configuration and Use NordVPN DNS

Sometimes the browser fails to resolve domain names through the VPN because it still uses your ISP’s DNS servers.

Solution: Use NordVPN’s encrypted DNS servers. Here’s how:

Open the NordVPN app
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings
Enable Custom DNS
Set to: 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100

This will reduce tracking, ensure DNS requests go through the VPN tunnel, and resolve browser connectivity issues.

7. Check Firewall or Antivirus Interference

Your security software might deem NordVPN or VPN-related traffic suspicious and block it. This can cause your browser to hang or websites to refuse to load.

Fix: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and see if the browser works. If it does, add NordVPN as an exception in your security software (do not forget to re-enable protection afterward).

8. Try Both TCP and UDP Protocols

NordVPN allows users to switch between TCP and UDP under the OpenVPN protocol. Some networks or applications might filter UDP traffic, causing page loading errors in browsers.

How to switch:

Launch the NordVPN app
Go to Settings → Connection
Under VPN Protocol, switch from UDP to TCP

9. Try A Different Browser

If specific settings or browser extensions interfere with how VPN traffic is handled, trying another browser can help isolate browser-specific problems.

Use Firefox or Brave if you’re encountering issues with Chrome
Ensure it’s the latest version and disable unnecessary extensions or ad blockers

10. Enable or Disable Threat Protection

NordVPN’s Threat Protection Lite feature blocks malicious websites and trackers. While useful, sometimes it may wrongly block access to certain pages.

Test: Disable Threat Protection in NordVPN’s settings and try browsing again. If the issue resolves, consider adjusting settings or whitelisting specific sites.

When All Else Fails: Contact Support

If you’ve tried the above fixes but your browser still won’t work with NordVPN, it might be time to contact support.

Reach out through their official support portal
Use the in-app chat feature for quick responses
Explain which browser, OS, and NordVPN version you’re using

Pro Tips to Enhance VPN-Browser Compatibility

Keep your browser and VPN up to date – Regular updates fix bugs and plug security loopholes.
Install privacy-focused add-ons like HTTPS Everywhere or Privacy Badger to complement VPN protection.
Regularly test for leaks using tools like ipleak.net while connected to NordVPN.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating when your browser doesn’t play nicely with NordVPN, but the good news is that these issues are usually simple to resolve. By following the above steps — from disabling WebRTC to adjusting your DNS settings — you can likely get your browser working smoothly with NordVPN. Remember that a little tuning goes a long way when it comes to VPN and browser compatibility.

Keep your software updated, stay mindful of browser extensions and security tools, and don’t hesitate to reach out to NordVPN’s support if needed. With a bit of troubleshooting, your secure and private browsing experience will be back on track in no time.