You install a new antivirus program to protect your computer. Everything seems fine until you try to connect to your VPN.
Suddenly, the VPN won’t connect.
Maybe it stays stuck on “Connecting,” disconnects immediately, or shows a connection error. Then you turn off the antivirus, and your VPN works again.
If that sounds familiar, your VPN may not be the problem.
Your antivirus could be interfering with the VPN connection through its firewall, network protection, or traffic filtering features.
The good news? You may not need to uninstall either application.
Here’s what you can try.
Why Can Antivirus Software Affect a VPN?
Antivirus programs have become more than just virus scanners.
Many now include firewalls, web protection, network monitoring, and traffic inspection. These features are designed to protect your device, but they can sometimes interfere with applications that also need to manage your network connection.
A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. If your antivirus sees that connection as unusual or blocks part of the VPN application’s network activity, the VPN may fail to connect.
How to Fix a VPN That Stops Working After Installing Antivirus Software
1. Check Whether the Problem Started After Installation
Think about when the problem began.
If your VPN worked normally before you installed the new antivirus and stopped working immediately afterward, there may be a conflict between the two applications.
You don’t necessarily need to remove the antivirus.
Start by checking its firewall and network protection settings.
2. Check the Antivirus Firewall
Many antivirus products include their own firewall or network protection system.
Look through your antivirus settings for options such as:
- Firewall
- Network protection
- Application control
- Connection blocking
- Threat prevention
Make sure your VPN application is allowed to communicate with the internet.
The exact settings will depend on the antivirus you’re using.
3. Add Your VPN to the Allowlist
Some antivirus applications let you create an exception or allowlist for trusted applications.
If your antivirus is blocking your VPN, adding the VPN application to its allowed applications list may resolve the problem.
Look under the antivirus’s firewall, application, or network settings for an option to allow specific applications.
4. Check Network Protection Features
Your antivirus may have other features that inspect or filter network traffic.
These can include:
- Web protection
- HTTPS scanning
- Network traffic inspection
- Secure browsing
- VPN or proxy filtering
If one of these features was enabled when you installed or updated the antivirus, check whether it could be interfering with your VPN connection.
5. Try a Different VPN Protocol
If your VPN application is allowed through the antivirus but still won’t connect, try changing your VPN protocol.
If available, start with WireGuard. If the connection still doesn’t work, try another protocol supported by your VPN app.
Changing the protocol can sometimes help when a particular network security configuration is interfering with the connection.
6. Try Another VPN Server
The issue may not affect every VPN connection.
Try connecting to:
- Another server in the same country
- A different city
- A nearby VPN location
If another server works, the problem may be related to the specific connection rather than the VPN application itself.
7. Restart Your Computer
After changing antivirus or VPN settings, restart your computer.
A simple sequence can help:
- Disconnect the VPN.
- Close the VPN application.
- Restart your computer.
- Open your antivirus.
- Open your VPN.
- Try connecting again.
This gives the updated network settings a chance to take effect.
Should You Disable Your Antivirus?
Don’t leave your antivirus disabled just to make your VPN work.
If you need to test whether the antivirus is causing the problem, temporarily disabling a relevant firewall or network protection feature can help identify the cause.
Once you’ve confirmed the conflict, turn the protection back on and configure an appropriate exception for your VPN instead.
If you’re unsure which setting is responsible, check your antivirus provider’s documentation or contact its support team.
What If the VPN Still Doesn’t Work?
If your VPN worked before installing the antivirus and none of these steps help, check for:
- Antivirus updates
- VPN app updates
- Windows or macOS updates
- Other firewall applications
- Other security software running on your device
Having multiple applications managing network traffic can sometimes create conflicts.
FAQs
Yes. An antivirus firewall or network protection feature can sometimes block or interfere with a VPN connection.
Usually, no. You may be able to resolve the conflict by allowing the VPN application through the antivirus firewall or adjusting a network protection setting
This can indicate that a firewall, traffic filter, or other network protection feature is interfering with the VPN connection.
Sometimes. If a particular protocol is being affected by the antivirus or network configuration, switching to another supported protocol may help.
If you’re using a trusted VPN application, adding it as an exception can allow it to establish its connection while keeping the rest of your antivirus protection active.
Final Thoughts
Installing a new antivirus shouldn’t mean giving up your VPN.
If your VPN suddenly stops working after installing security software, check the antivirus firewall and network protection settings first.
Allowing your VPN application, reviewing traffic filtering features, and trying a different VPN protocol can often help resolve the conflict.
You don’t necessarily have to choose between protecting your device and protecting your connection.
