How do I know if my VPN is working? How to Check and Fix IP leaks, DNS Leaks, & WebRTC Leaks

Just being connected to a VPN doesn’t always mean you’re fully protected!

Many users assume that once the VPN icon lights up, their IP address is hidden, their browsing is private, and their data is safe. In reality, IP leaks, DNS leaks, and WebRTC leaks can quietly expose your real location, even while your VPN appears “connected.”

So how do you know if your VPN is actually working? This guide walks you through exactly how to check for VPN leaks, what each leak means, and how to fix them properly.

What Does “A VPN Working Properly” Actually Mean?

A VPN is working correctly when it:

• Hides your real IP address
• Encrypts all internet traffic
• Routes DNS requests through the VPN tunnel
• Prevents browser-level leaks (like WebRTC)
• Maintains protection even if the connection drops

If any one of these fails, your real identity or location can leak. That’s why checking your VPN is just as important as using one.

How to Check If Your VPN Is Working (Quick Test)

Before discussing technical details, start with this simple check:

Step 1 – Check Your IP Address

1. Disconnect your VPN
2. Check your IP
3. Note your real IP and location
4. Connect your VPN
5. Refresh the page

If the IP and location change, your VPN is at least masking your IP. If they don’t, your VPN isn’t working properly. But this test alone doesn’t catch all leaks, which is where deeper checks come in.

What Is an IP Leak? 

An IP leak happens when your real IP address becomes visible despite using a VPN.

Why IP Leaks Matter

Your IP address can reveal:

• Your approximate physical location
• Your ISP
• Your browsing activity
• Your online identity

This defeats the main purpose of a VPN.

Common Causes of IP Leaks

IP leaks usually don’t happen randomly, they’re often the result of small gaps in how a VPN is set up or maintained.

• If your VPN drops even for a second and there’s no kill switch enabled, your real IP address can be exposed instantly, specifically on unstable or public Wi-Fi.
  
• Some VPNs don’t route all traffic through the encrypted tunnel, leaving certain connections unprotected and vulnerable to leaks.
  
• Many VPNs still prioritize IPv4, allowing IPv6 traffic to bypass the VPN entirely and reveal your real IP address.
  
• Older protocols lack modern leak prevention features, making them less reliable and more prone to exposing your identity.

How to Fix IP Leaks

Fixing IP leaks is usually straightforward once you know where the gaps are.

1. Enable a Kill Switch
2. Disable IPv6 if your VPN doesn’t support it
3. Use modern protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN
4. Choose a VPN with built-in leak protection

PureVPN includes a system-level kill switch and IPv6 leak protection across platforms, meaning traffic is blocked instantly if the VPN drops.

What Is a DNS Leak?

DNS (Domain Name System) requests translate website names into IP addresses.
A DNS leak happens when these requests go through your ISP instead of the VPN tunnel.

Why DNS Leaks Are Dangerous

DNS leaks undermine your privacy in ways most users never notice.

• ISPs can see every site you visit
• Governments and networks can log activity
• Geo-blocking still applies
• Privacy is compromised silently

How to Check for DNS Leaks

Checking for DNS leaks only takes a minute and can reveal whether your VPN is truly protecting your browsing activity.

1. Connect to your VPN
2. Run a DNS leak test
3. Look at the DNS server locations

If you see your ISP or your real country, you have a DNS leak.

How to Fix DNS Leaks

DNS leaks are easy to fix once you address how your DNS requests are being handled.

1. Use a VPN with private DNS servers
2. Disable “Smart DNS” unless needed
3. Avoid system-level DNS overrides
4. Enable DNS leak protection in VPN settings

PureVPN routes DNS requests inside the encrypted tunnel, preventing ISPs from seeing your browsing history.

What are WebRTC Leaks? 

WebRTC is a browser technology used for:

• Video calls
• Voice chats
• File sharing

Unfortunately, it can reveal your real IP address directly from the browser, bypassing the VPN.

Browsers Most Affected

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Edge
• Brave

How to Check for WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC leaks can happen at the browser level, so it’s important to test while your VPN is actively running.

1. Keep your VPN connected
2. Run a WebRTC leak test
3. If your real IP appears, you have a leak

How to Fix WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC leaks are browser-based, which means fixing them often requires a mix of browser and VPN settings.

1. Disable WebRTC in browser settings
2. Use privacy extensions
3. Choose a VPN that blocks WebRTC leaks by default

PureVPN includes automatic WebRTC leak prevention, so users don’t have to tweak browser flags manually.

Why Free VPNs Fail Leak Tests So Often

Many VPN leaks happen not because users do something wrong, but because they rely on free VPN services that simply aren’t built for full privacy protection. 

While these VPNs may show a “connected” status, they often lack the underlying checks needed to prevent data exposure. Free VPNs commonly:

• Rely on public or ISP-based DNS servers, which can expose browsing activity
• Lack kill switches, allowing real IP addresses to leak during brief disconnections
• Ignore IPv6 traffic, letting it bypass the VPN tunnel entirely
• Fail to block WebRTC leaks, especially at the browser level
• Log, share, or sell user data to sustain their free business model
  

This is why being connected to a VPN doesn’t always mean you’re truly protected. In contrast, paid VPN services invest heavily in secure infrastructure, private DNS systems, modern encryption protocols, and built-in leak prevention features, resulting in far more reliable privacy and consistent protection.

Tried and Tested Ways to Fix VPN Leaks 

To ensure your VPN always works as intended:

1. Use a VPN With Built-In Leak Protection

Using a VPN with built-in leak protection is one of the most effective ways to stay private online. When choosing a VPN, look for features like DNS leak protection to keep browsing requests encrypted, WebRTC leak blocking to prevent browser-based IP exposure, IPv6 support to stop modern traffic from bypassing the VPN tunnel, and a kill switch that instantly cuts internet access if the VPN connection drops. 

Together, these protections ensure your VPN doesn’t just connect; it consistently protects your data across different networks and devices.

2. Keep Your VPN App Updated

Outdated apps can have vulnerabilities that lead to IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.
Regular updates ensure you benefit from the latest security fixes and leak protections.

3. Avoid Manual Network Tweaks

While it may be tempting to customize your network settings, manual DNS or proxy changes can override your VPN’s protection, exposing your real IP or browsing activity. 

Even small tweaks can create loopholes that bypass the VPN tunnel, making you vulnerable to DNS or WebRTC leaks. To stay fully protected, it’s best to rely on your VPN’s built-in settings rather than modifying system-level network configurations.

4. Test Regularly

Run leak tests whenever:

• You change networks
• Your VPN app updates
• Your OS updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

A VPN is only effective if it actually protects you. IP leaks, DNS leaks, and WebRTC leaks can silently undo everything you expect a VPN to do. They’re easy to detect and even easier to prevent with the right setup.

If privacy matters to you, a well-configured VPN like PureVPN doesn’t just connect, it protects.