A kill switch blocks internet access if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It helps stop apps from sending data through your regular connection instead. If websites stop loading after a VPN interruption, check the VPN app's status first: it may be blocking traffic as intended.
What happens when the VPN drops?
Imagine you are using Wi-Fi with the VPN connected, but the connection to its server breaks. The Wi-Fi itself may still work. Without a block in place, apps may continue over the regular connection.
A kill switch closes that route for protected traffic: the data your apps send and receive. Pages may stop loading while the VPN reconnects. The app and selected mode determine when the block applies.
Pressing Disconnect can behave differently
An unexpected drop and pressing Disconnect are different events. For example, Proton VPN's standard kill switch activates after an accidental interruption but permits internet access after a deliberate disconnect.
Stricter modes also exist. In Mullvad's desktop app, the optional Lockdown mode keeps blocking after you press Disconnect or quit the app. Before enabling a mode, check what it blocks and how to restore your connection.
Where to look for the setting
- Open your VPN app's settings. Look for Kill switch or a connection protection section.
- Read the mode description and help page for your operating system. The switch's name alone does not explain its behaviour.
- On Android, check the VPN options in system settings. “Block connections without VPN” blocks traffic outside the VPN; availability depends on the app and system.
- If the setting is missing, check the app's documentation for support. Another VPN's features do not establish what your connection supports.
What to do when websites stop loading
Check whether the app says it is reconnecting or blocking internet access. Try reconnecting the VPN and wait for the Connected status.
If the problem remains, note the app name, operating system and error message. These details help you follow the connection troubleshooting steps. Keep passwords and connection keys out of support messages.
Avoid turning protection off at random: lifting the block may let apps use the regular network. Once connected, use the VPN checking guide. An IP check shows the connection at that moment; it does not establish what will happen during a future interruption.
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