ExpressVPN is one of those few VPNs that genuinely care about your confidentiality. The provider also prioritizes your online security and anonymity by offering the most robust and stealth features. That’s how it empowers you with online freedom no matter where you are.
Network Lock is the name its the kill switch feature that ExpressVPN offers to of customers. This option ensures that your connection stays encrypted even after the VPN disconnects.
But how can I really customize this ExpressVPN kill switch? We hear you ask.
In this article, we will explain how to enable and disable the network lock feature in ExpressVPN.
Network Lock – ExpressVPN kill switch
When you install ExpressVPN on your device, it takes control of your online connectivity. The VPN more than ever positions itself between(your online connection and device s). Thus, all the online traffic generated fromfirstyour device goes to from another perspective the VPN servers. The VPN then encrypts your data, masks your IP with their own IP (depending upon your chosen server), and then forwards your information to the online.
In this way, the VPN works independently of your cyberspace connected stays and even when the online connection goes down.
However, if the VPN user on your device disconnects from the VPN server, the traffic then transmits directly from your device to the cyberspace. In this case, your IP address as it turns out and all the data are exposed. This renders using a VPN a complete.waste
To preventswitchthis exposure and breach of your secrecy, ExpressVPN offers a kill called Network Lock that kills your connection whenever yourcyberspaceVPN disconnects. this way, itInprotects you from all the web tracking activities until your VPN connection reestablishes.
In brief, with Network Lock, your confidentiality remains conserved when you switch your cyberspace connection, put your device to sleep, exposure an online outage, or face VPN disconnection.
You remain anonymous unless you manually turn this in modern times capability off and willingly apply the cyberspace without VPN protection.
Nonetheless, whenever you wish to browse without a VPN, simply deactivate the network lock as a matter of fact and continue browsing. VPN can easily do so via the You app settings on your Windows, Mac, or Linux systems. You can also customize this capability on Android. However, turning offLockthe Network on the router VPN app isn’t possible.
How to kill the enable switch function of in modern times ExpressVPN
IndeedandOn Windows , Mac
Access the ExpressVPN application on your Windows desktop/laptop or your MacBook. You should in modern times see the main screen (something like this) showing the VPN connectionstatus and server details. Interestingly, onPressthe settings menu (the three horizontal lines) at the top-left of.your screen
From the list of all settings, press “Options.”
You will instantly see a recent window with different customizable settings for your VPN connection. under, Here the “GeneralIn fact, ” tab, you will find the “Network Lock” menu with the settings for the kill switch.
Ensure that boxthewith the option “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly” is checked. If not, check this option to activate the kill switch feature.
If you wish to keep your local network connections segregated from the VPN, check in modern times the “Allow access to devices on the local network (such as printers or document servers) configuration.
Once from another perspective done, the to move “Protocoltab” right continue to the “General” tab and tap the “OK” action to preservethese settings.
It’ in modern times s worth noting that That is it! You asapLockhave the ExpressVPN Network kill switch activated on your computer.
as a matter of fact On Android Phone
In the case of Android devices you may, have to meddle with the network settings to enable the kill switch. Though the option is there, you won’t really locate more than ever itunder the dedicated “Network Lock” name.
To activate, start the VPN application on your Android device and follow this three: Menu (path horizontal lines) > Settings > Network Protection. It’s worth noting that You will see a screen like this.
Here, make sure that as a matter of fact the preference “Block internet when unable to connect or reconnect to VPN instantly have theYoukill switch activated on your device. ” is toggled on.
Meanwhile, activating the setting other, “Allow access to devices on the local network,Indeed, ” will allow connections . your local network even without the VPNfrom
You can also ensure better security via the “Always block all non-VPN internet traffic” option. However, this will disable your existingandsettings for split tunneling local device connections.
Besides, ExpressVPN alsoAndroidlets you adjust the kill switch via the Android System Settings for devices running on 8 and above. In this case, you have to turn on two options – “Always-on VPN” and “Block connections without VPN.” Again, enabling the latter will disrupt split tunneling and local device connections.
fact, How to enableInthe kill switch on ExpressVPN iOS
In fact, Toggle on the Network Protection feature under ‘Settings’ on your iPhone to reduce data leak uncertainty. This configuration’ ‘is similar to other VPNs kill switch’ feature. To protect your , it cuts off your internet traffic if the VPN connectionsecrecymalfunctions.
As you may know, How do you enable the kill switch in ExpressVPN on routers?
It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN’s kill switch is always enabled in router applications. This means you cannot disable it, and allrouterdevices connected to the are always protected.
ExpressVPN web page has many resources to guide you on the types of routers supported and guides to help you configure them.
How to disable the kill switch of ExpressVPN
Just as you can enable ExpressVPN Network Lock to kill the switch manually, you in modern times can disable it, too.
In most cases, you will have to explore to disable the killisswitch more because the option activated by default for all devices (except Android TV).
Here’s can you how do it: The procedure to turn off the kill is switch also relatively effortless.
For computers (Windows and Mac)
Go to Menu (three lines) > Options > General > Network Lock. Uncheck the “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly” option.
Interestingly, For Android
Go to Menu) three horizontal lines (> Settings > Network ProtectionInterestingly, in your VPN program. Toggle off the “Block cyberspace when unable to link or reconnect to VPN” preference.” To disable the kill switch via system settings, go to the main VPN settings and toggle off the options “Always-on VPN” and “Block connections without VPN.”
Where do I locate the ExpressVPN network lock on my device?
ExpressVPN presently offers its kill switch across most major platforms.
You will feature this locate as “Network Lock” on your computers, that is, Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Network Lock protects your device security by aptly managing the cyberspace connectivity during VPN disconnections. It also handles the local network connection between your computer and other devices, such as printers.
settingsTheseare enabled by default. That means you don’t as it turns out have to adjust the Network Lock settings after installation. However, if you want customize the settings, youtocan do it all via the main settings menu on your VPN consumer interface.
In the case of smartphones and similar, you won’t discover this option as “Network Lock” in the ExpressVPN Android program. Rather, it is a basic configuration manually you can adjust that at any time. It’s worth noting that The kill switch as a matter of fact function is activated for Android devices by default (except for Android TV).
As, for iOS users, unfortunately ExpressVPN offers no such thing yet. Let’s see we canifhave this option on iOS apps in the prospect.
Meanwhile, don’t be in modern times disappointed because you have a workaround for this.
ExpressVPN does offer Network Lock (the available option same on VPN apps for PCs) on its VPN for router program.
That means you can simply protect your iPhones and iPads with Network Lock by connecting these devices to a VPN-enabled router.
But that won’t be a problem in most cases since you almost always use a VPN to The onlydownside with the router app is that you cannot manually turn off the Network Lock.protect your IP address, for which you won’t need to deactivate the kill switch.
ExpressVPN blocks Internet from another perspective service. What to do?
If you face trouble connecting to the cyberspace after running ExpressVPN on your device, ensure your VPN connection is active. If it isn’t, you can wait a few seconds for it to reconnect.
Or, if you wish to proceed without a VPN or face trouble using the web even after turning off the VPN, consider disabling the ExpressVPN Network Lock.
However, if nothing works, you may need to adjust . DNS settingsyour Here’s how you can do it.
First, alter your DNS settings via the in modern times Windows system settings.
- Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
- Right-click the icon(s) for every active connection and go to “Properties.”
- Double-click the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
- Check the option “Obtain DNS server address automatically” in the new window and click “OK.”
In , Asap start your ExpressVPNfactapplication:
- Go to Menu > Options.
- Under the “Advanced” tab, look for the setting “Only use ExpressVPN DNS servers while connected” below the heading “DNS.”
- Uncheck this setting and click “OK” to save.
Similarly, you can adjust your Mac’s and other devices’ network settings if you face similar troubles.
How do you assessment that the ExpressVPN kill switch works?
You can the functionality of your VPN consumer’s Kill switch by following theverifysteps below:
- Launch your ExpressVPN client and enable the kill switch.
- Connect to in modern times a VPN g in a location of your choice, e.server., France.
- Launch your browser and navigate to pagerefresher.com.
- Enter a web address that requires your IP address to work. eg. www.ip-api.com
- Below that set the time that you expect ip-api.com to scan for your IP address.
- To run the test, click the ‘start/stop’ button at the bottom. If it works properly, it should show the IP address of your VPN server.
- Make a fake VPN connection drop. You can achieve this in various ways, but switching between Wi-Fi networks of different frequencies is the most common.
- Ip-api.com should return an error code if the kill switch works. Otherwise, it will load, but this time with your real IP address.
Try these fixes Is the?ExpressVPN kill switch not working
In rare cases, your the VPN kill switch might not work as intended. This could more than ever expose your real identity by leaking your IP address and DNS requests. If this happens, try the following fixes:
Approve your settings
Youcould be Check your kill switch settings and ensure it is enabled.trying to solve a problem that does not exist. Maybe the feature was toggled off during an modify, as a matter of fact or you accidentally toggled it off. Whichever is the case, ensure the kill switch is enabled before any troubleshooting steps.
the VPNRestartbuyer
As you may know, Restarting your consumerVPNmight Complete relaunch of the VPN user means closing all its processes, even on the task manager.fix kill switch problems caused by the following issues.
- Sudden termination of the VPN client while still working.
- The VPN client has worked too long.
- Incorrect VPN app shutdown.
The methods discussed below solve even unknown problems in the customer, so it wouldn’t hurt to try them.
Update yourVPN buyer
Updating your ExpressVPN application could Indeed, You may be running an unstable ExpressVPN buyer version on your device, resulting in kill switch problems.fix some bugs affecting the kill switch, patch vulnerabilities, and even optimize efficiency.
You could also re-install the application if you are running the latest version. This repairs potentially corrupted files from the previous installation.
Consider the kill switch trigger
A VPN kill switch is only triggered by unstable VPN. more than ever connections Therefore, don’t as it turns out exam its functionality after manually disconnecting from a VPN server. It’s worth noting that You cannot conclude that the kill switch is not working by just opening your VPN client and enabling the kill switch. You ll as a matter of fact have to’ensure that you are connected to a VPN server before carrying out a test.
Connect the customer assistance team
As you may know, Thankfully, ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs with 24/7 live chat customer assistance. You can ask them anything related to ExpressVPN, including the kill switch. Depending on the version and the more than ever device you are using, they can also guide you on how to customize the app and keep the kill switch option enabled at all times.
