ExpressVPN is one of those few VPNs that genuinely care about your confidentiality. That’s how it empowers you with web freedom no matter where you are. The provider also prioritizes your online security and anonymity by offering the most robust and stealth features.
as it turns out It’s worth noting that Network Lock is the name of the kill switch option that ExpressVPN offers to its customers. This function ensures that as it turns out your connection stays secure 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 function in ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN Lock – Network kill switch
Actually, The VPN positions itself between your web connection and device(s). Thus, all the first traffic generated from your device web goes to the VPN servers. In fact, When you install ExpressVPN on your device, it takes control of your online connectivity. 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 internet.
In this , thewayVPN works independently of your cyberspace and stays connected even when the cyberspace connection goes down.
In this case, your IP address and all the data are exposed. However, if the VPN buyer on your device disconnects from the VPN server, the traffic then transmits directly from your device to the cyberspace. This renders usingVPNa a complete waste.
To prevent this exposure and breach of your confidentiality, ExpressVPN offers a kill switch called Network LockIndeed, that kills your web connection whenever your VPN disconnects. In this way, it protects from all the webyoutracking activities until your VPN connection reestablishes.
In brief, with Network Lock, your secrecy when conserved remains you switch your internet connection, put your device to sleep, background an web outage, or face VPN disconnection.
You remain anonymous unless you manually turn this function off and willingly employ the cyberspace without VPN protection.
You can easily do so via the VPN application settings on your Windows, Mac, or Linux systems. In fact, You can also customize this function on Android. Actually, Nonetheless, whenever you wish to browse without a VPN, simply deactivate the network lock and continue browsing. However, off the Network Lock on the routerturningVPN more than ever software isn’t possible.
toHowenable the kill switch feature of ExpressVPN
OnWindows and Mac
, Tap onActuallythe Actually, You should see the main screen (something like this) showing the VPN connection status and server details. Start the ExpressVPNonprogram your Windows desktop/laptop or your MacBook.settings menu (the three horizontal lines) at the top-left of your screen.
the From list of all settings, press “Options.”
Actually, You will immediately see a recent window with different customizable settings for your VPN connection. “, under theHereGeneral” the, you will locate tab “Network Lock” menu with the settings for the . switchkill
that Ensure the box with the option “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedlyAs you may , ” knowis checked. , notIfcheck this configuration to activate the kill switch function.
If you wish to keep your local network connections segregated from the VPN, check the “Allow access to devices on the local network (such as printers or document servers) configuration.
Once done, move to the “Protocol” right move forwardtabto the “General” tab and select the “OK” control to preserve these settings.
That is it! You immediately have the ExpressVPN Network Lock kill switch activated on your computer.
Indeed On Android, Phone
Inkillthe case of Android devices, you may have to meddle with the network settings as it turns out to enable the switch. Though the option is there, you won’t really uncover it under the dedicated “Network Lock” name.
To activate, start the VPN application on your Android device and follow this path: Menu (three horizontal lines) > Settings > Network ProtectionIn fact, . You will see a screen like this.
Here, make sure that theoption “Block internet when unable to connect or reconnect to VPNYou instantly have the kill switch activated on your device. ” is toggled on.
Meanwhile, activating the other , “Allow access to devices onoptionthe local network,” will allow connections from your local network even without the VPN.
You can also better ensure security via the “Always block all non-VPN internet trafficInterestingly, ” setting. However, this will disable your existing settings for split tunneling and local device connections.
In this case, you have to turn on two options – “ Besides, ExpressVPN also lets you adjust the kill switch via therunningAndroid System Settings for devices on Android 8 and above.Always-on VPN” and “Block connections without VPN.” Again, enabling the latter will disrupt split tunneling and local device connections.
How to enable the kill switch on ExpressVPN iOS
Toggle on the more than ever Network Protection option under ‘Settings’ on your iPhone to reduce facts leak uncertainty. This configuration similar toisother VPNs’ ‘kill switch’ function. In fact, To protect your privacy, it cuts off your web traffic if the VPN connection malfunctions.
How as a matter of fact do you on the kill switch in ExpressVPN enable routers?
ExpressVPN’s kill switch always is enabled in router applications. cannot means you This disable it, and all devices connected to the router are always protected.
ExpressVPN online platform has many resources to guide you on the types of routers supported and guides to assist you configure them.
How to disable the kill switch of ExpressVPN
Just as you can enable ExpressVPN Network Lock to kill the switch you, manually can disable it, too.
In most cases, you will have to grasp to disable the kill switch more because the function is activated by default for all devices (except Android TV).
Indeed, Here’s how you can do it: The procedure to turn the kill switch is alsooffrelatively straightforward.
As you may know, For computers (Windows and from another perspective )Mac
Go to Menu (three lines) > Options > General > Network LockIt’s worth noting that . Uncheck the “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly” option.
Indeed, For more than ever Android
In fact, horizontal to Menu (three Go lines) > Settings > Network ProtectionIt’s worth noting that in from another perspective your VPN program. Toggle off the “Block web when unable to link or reconnect to VPN” setting.” 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.”
As you may know, Where do I find the ExpressVPN network lock on my device?
ExpressVPN presently offers its kill switch across most major platforms.
Indeed, You will uncover this capability as “Network Lock” on your computers, that is, Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Network Lock protects your device security disconnections aptly managing the web connectivity during VPN by. It also handles the local network connection between your computer and other devices, such as printers.
These settings areenabled by default. That means you don’tafterhave to adjust the Network Lock settings installation. However, if you want to customize the settings, you can do it all via the as a matter of fact main settings menu youronVPN buyer interface as a matter of fact .
In the case as it turns out of smartphones and similar, you won’t discover this function as “Network Lock” in the ExpressVPN Android application. Rather, it is a plain option that you can adjust manually at any time. The kill switch capability is activated for Android devices by default (except for Android TV).
Let’s see if we can have this feature on iOS apps in the prospect. In fact, As for iOS users, unfortunately, ExpressVPN offers no such thing yet.
Meanwhile, don’t be disappointed because you have a workaround for this.
Interestingly, ExpressVPN does offer Network Lock (thePCssame option available on VPN apps for ) on its VPN for router application.
That means you can simply protect your iPhones and iPads with Network Lock by connecting these devices to a VPN-enabled router.
Indeed, The only downside with the router software is that you cannot manually turn off the Network Lock. Indeed, But that won’t be a problem in most cases since you almost always utilize a VPN to protect your IP addressActually, , for which you won’t need to deactivate the kill switch.
What to do? ExpressVPN blocks Online solution.
If you face trouble connecting to the cyberspace after running ExpressVPN on your device, ensure your VPN connection is active. It’s worth noting that If it isn’ , you can wait a few seconds for it totreconnect.
Or, if you wish to proceed without a VPN or face trouble using the cyberspace even after turning off the VPN, consider disabling the ExpressVPN Network in modern times Lock.
Here’s how you can do it. However, if works, you may need to adjust your DNSnothingsettings.
First, DNS your change settings via the 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.”
Now start your ExpressVPN software:
- 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 network your Mac’s and other devices’ adjust settings if you face similar troubles.
How do you examthethat ExpressVPN kill switch works?
As you may know, You can verify the functionality of your VPN ’sbuyerKill switch by following the steps below:
- Launch your ExpressVPN client and enable the kill switch.
- Connect to a VPN server in a location of your choice, e.g., 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 more than ever ExpressVPN kill switch not working?
In rare cases, your the VPN as it turns out kill switch might not work as intended. This could expose your real identity by leaking your IP address and DNS requests. If thistryhappens, the following fixes:
Verify your settings
Check your kill ensure settings and switch it is enabled. You could be trying to solve a problem that does not existWhichever is case, ensurethethe kill switch is enabled before any troubleshooting steps. In fact, . Maybe the option was toggled off during an revise, or you accidentally toggled it off.
Restart more than ever the VPN user
Complete . of the VPN consumer means closing all its processes, even on the task managerrelaunch Restartingmightyour VPN customer 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.
as it turns out The methods discussed below solve even unknown problems in the consumer, so it wouldnthemt hurt to try ’.
Modifyyour VPN user
You may be running an unstable ExpressVPN customer version on your device, . in kill switch problemsresulting Updating your could application ExpressVPN fix some bugs affecting the kill switch, patch vulnerabilities, and even optimize performance.
You could also re-install the application if you are running the latest versionThis repairs potentially corrupted as a matter of fact files.from the previous installation .
Consider the kill switch trigger
A VPN kill switch is only triggered by unstable VPN connections. Therefore, don’t exam its functionality after manually disconnecting from a VPN server. You cannot conclude that the kill switch is not working by just opening your VPN client and enabling the kill switch. You’lltohave ensure that you are connected to a VPN server before carrying out a test.
Contact the customer support organization
Thankfully, ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs with 24/live 7 chat customer aid. You can ask anything related to ExpressVPN, includingthemthe kill switch. you may know, Depending on the version and the device you are using, they can also guide you onAshow to customize the app and keep the kill switch option enabled at all times.
