How to Fix Opera VPN Not Working: Troubleshooting & Solutions

It’s frustrating when you rely on Opera VPN to keep your browsing private or to access content blocked in your region – and suddenly it stops working. Maybe you see messages like “Opera VPN is temporarily unavailable” or find you can’t connect no matter what you try. You’re not alone, and this guide is here to help.

Many users don’t realize that Opera’s VPN isn’t a full VPN but actually a proxy service, which means it can struggle with slow speeds, limited server options, and failing to unblock popular streaming sites. If you’ve been wondering why your Opera VPN keeps dropping or isn’t connecting, this isn’t just a random glitch – there are common reasons behind it.

Stick with me as I walk you through the real causes and simple fixes for Opera VPN problems. Plus, I’ll let you know when it’s time to switch to a more reliable VPN so you don’t waste any more time or get left exposed.

How can I check if my Internet connection is causing Opera VPN problems?

Before troubleshooting Opera VPN, first confirm your internet connection is stable and working properly. Open Opera without the VPN enabled and try loading several popular websites. If pages don’t load or load slowly, the issue is likely with your internet.

Next, test other browsers or devices on the same network to see if they experience similar problems. If they do, restart your router and your device to refresh network connections.

Also, verify your network settings are correct, and ensure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected. If these steps don’t fix the problem, contact your ISP to check for outages or disruptions.

Once your internet is confirmed working but Opera VPN still shows “temporarily unavailable,” move on to VPN-specific fixes.

What Steps Should I Take to Restart Opera VPN and Fix Connection Errors?

Restarting the VPN and browser is often the quickest way to fix many connection problems. Here’s how to do it thoroughly:

1. Close Opera completely:
   • Make sure all Opera windows are closed. On Windows, check Task Manager for any leftover Opera processes and end them. On Mac, use Activity Monitor.
2. Reopen Opera:
   • Launch the browser afresh to ensure a clean start.
3. Toggle the VPN off and on:
   • Click the VPN icon located near the address bar.
   • Toggle the VPN off and wait at least 5 seconds to clear any active connections.
   • Toggle the VPN on again.
4. Reconnect and test:
   • Try browsing websites with the VPN enabled to confirm if the issue is resolved.

This process can clear temporary glitches and fix errors such as “vpn is temporarily unavailable opera is resolving the problem.”

Why Should I Connect to a Different Server When Opera VPN Is Temporarily Unavailable?

Opera VPN relies on a small network of servers located in just three broad regions: Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Because of this limited infrastructure, these servers can become overloaded with users or temporarily taken offline for maintenance. When this happens, you may encounter connection failures or see the message “Opera VPN temporarily unavailable.”

To improve your connection and resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the VPN menu within the Opera browser.
2. Manually select a different server region than the one you are currently connected to — choose from Europe, Asia, or the Americas.
3. Wait a few moments as Opera attempts to establish a connection with the new server.
4. Test your browsing to see if the connection has stabilized.

For users of Opera GX, enabling the VPN and switching servers is the same process—simply toggle the VPN on and select your preferred region from the menu.

Why is this important?
Regularly switching between servers helps you avoid relying on an overloaded or temporarily offline server. This can dramatically improve your VPN’s speed, reliability, and connection success rate. Since Opera VPN doesn’t have an extensive server network like many paid VPNs, manual switching is often necessary to maintain a stable connection.

Why Are Some Websites Not Accessible Even When My Opera VPN Is Connected?

Opera VPN functions primarily as a proxy service, meaning it encrypts and routes only your browser traffic rather than all data on your device. This fundamental design difference leads to several limitations that affect your ability to access certain websites and streaming services:

• Streaming platforms actively block proxy IP addresses: Services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer have sophisticated systems to detect and block traffic coming from proxy servers. As a result, even if Opera VPN shows as connected, these platforms may deny access or display error messages due to geo-restrictions.
• Strict regional censorship: In countries with heavy internet restrictions—such as China or Saudi Arabia—proxy servers like Opera VPN are often blocked entirely by government firewalls, making the VPN unusable for accessing blocked content.
• Limited pool of IP addresses: Because Opera VPN uses a small number of shared IP addresses, these are more likely to be blacklisted by websites and services, further restricting access.

What Can You Do?

If accessing geo-blocked content or streaming services reliably is important to you, consider switching to a reputable paid VPN provider that offers:

• Dedicated streaming servers optimized for unblocking platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
• A large pool of diverse IP addresses to reduce the chance of bans and blocks.
• Full device encryption that protects all your internet traffic, not just browser data, ensuring comprehensive privacy and security.

Paid VPN services generally provide a more consistent and robust experience for bypassing geo-restrictions, streaming, and secure browsing compared to Opera’s proxy-based VPN.

Wrap Up

Most Opera VPN temporarily unavailable errors stem from server issues, connection conflicts, or browser settings. By testing your internet, restarting the VPN, switching servers, adjusting security software, disabling conflicting extensions, clearing cache, and updating Opera, you can resolve most problems.

However, remember that Opera VPN has limitations compared to premium VPN services. It often struggles with streaming unblocking and system-wide protection.

If you still face issues, leave a comment or reach out to Opera support for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions