A VPN is only protecting you if it’s actually working — no leaks, a hidden IP, and a kill switch that fires when it should. The good news: you can verify all of this in a few minutes with free tools. Here’s how to test your VPN connection properly.
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1. Check your IP address
This is the quickest sanity check.
- Before connecting, search “what is my IP” and note the address and location your browser shows.
- Connect to your VPN and pick a server in another country.
- Refresh the IP-checker. It should now show the VPN server’s IP and location — not yours.
If your real IP still appears, the VPN isn’t routing your traffic. (For why this matters, see how a VPN works .)
2. Test for DNS leaks
Even with a VPN connected, your device can sometimes send DNS requests (the lookups that turn a domain into an address) outside the tunnel — revealing the sites you visit to your ISP. With the VPN on, run a free DNS leak test (search “DNS leak test”). The results should show only your VPN provider’s DNS servers, not your ISP’s. If you see your ISP, enable your VPN’s DNS-leak protection or switch servers.
3. Test for WebRTC leaks
WebRTC is a browser feature for real-time audio/video that can expose your real IP even through a VPN. With the VPN connected, use a “WebRTC leak test” tool. If your real IP shows up, fix it by disabling WebRTC in your browser settings or installing an extension that blocks WebRTC leaks.
4. Test your speed
A VPN adds some overhead, so it’s worth knowing the cost.
- Run a speed test without the VPN for a baseline.
- Connect to a nearby VPN server and test again.
A modern protocol like WireGuard and a close server keep the drop small (see VPN protocols ). Use our free VPN speed test to compare, and try a different server if speeds disappoint.
5. Test the kill switch
A kill switch should cut your internet if the VPN drops, preventing leaks. To test it:
- Enable the kill switch in your VPN app and connect.
- Start a download or keep a page open, then manually disconnect the VPN server (or kill the connection).
- Your internet should immediately stop until the VPN reconnects.
If traffic keeps flowing with the VPN down, the kill switch isn’t protecting you — update the app or check its settings.
6. Confirm encryption and protocol
Open your VPN app’s settings and confirm it’s using a strong, modern protocol (WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2) with AES-256 or equivalent. Avoid PPTP, which is outdated and insecure. This takes seconds and ensures the tunnel itself is solid.
How often should you test?
Run the IP and leak tests when you first set up a VPN, after any major app or OS update, and occasionally if something feels off. They take only a few minutes and confirm your privacy is intact.
The bottom line
Don’t just assume your VPN works — verify it. Check that your IP changes, run DNS and WebRTC leak tests, measure your speed, and confirm the kill switch fires. A few minutes of testing is the difference between thinking you’re protected and knowing it.
FAQs
- Check your IP address before and after connecting — it should change to the VPN server's location. Then run a DNS leak test and a WebRTC leak test to confirm your real details aren't leaking outside the tunnel.
- A DNS leak happens when your device sends domain lookups outside the VPN tunnel — usually to your ISP — revealing the sites you visit even though the VPN is connected. A DNS leak test detects it, and most VPNs have built-in DNS-leak protection to prevent it.
- WebRTC is a browser feature that can reveal your real IP even with a VPN active. Disable WebRTC in your browser settings or use a WebRTC-blocking extension to stop the leak.
- With a nearby server and a modern protocol, expect only a modest drop — often 10–20% or less. Bigger drops usually mean a distant or congested server; switching servers or protocols typically helps. Test it with our free VPN speed test.
- Enable the kill switch, connect, then manually disconnect the VPN server while loading a page. Your internet should cut out immediately until the VPN reconnects. If it keeps working, the kill switch isn't protecting you.