Windows – My IP address doesn’t change when connected …
If geolocation websites such as are showing your personal IP instead of the IP of the VPN server then you have a serious privacy leak. Fortunately this is not possible with the IVPN client as it has a firewall that protects against these types of leaks. However if you are using the community edition of OpenVPN then read on.
It really helps to have a basic understanding of the issue to resolve it. Your computer maintains a ‘routing table’ that lists the routes to particular network destinations. Most personal computers simply forward all outbound traffic to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) so the routing table is very simple. When the VPN client software connects to the VPN server it needs to update the routing table to override the existing entry which routes all traffic to the ISP. If the VPN client software is unable to update the routing table then even although there is an active connection to the VPN server (green shield), traffic will NOT be routed through it and you will see your own IP on geolocation websites. On Windows computers this is almost always due to insufficient permissions to update the routing table. This is the reason why the VPN client prompts you for administrative permission when you start it.
How can I fix it?
Check that when you start the OpenVPN application it prompts you with the message “Do you want to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to make changes to your computer? ”. You must answer YES to this prompt. If you do not see this prompt then you may have disabled UAC. Right click on the desktop OpenVPN icon and select Properties. Click on the Compatibility tab and select Run this program as an administrator.
To confirm that the routing table has not been updated click on Start and type and click on the icon for the command prompt. Type route print and hit enter. Under the heading “IPv4 Route Table” the top two entries should both have a network destination of ‘0. 0. 0’ with one of them having a netmask of ‘128. 0’. If you only have a single entry with a destination of ‘0. 0’ then the routing table has not been updated.
If you are using Windows 8. x there is an obscure bug that may cause the routes to not be correctly installed. To workaround this open the Network Adapter Applet (Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections) before you start the VPN connection. This has to be done once after each reboot.
Proxy settings might be interfering. To reset Windows 10 proxy settings, click the Start button, type proxy, click to open the Proxy settings app, toggle the Use a proxy server to off under Manual proxy setup. Reset web browser proxy settings in Mozilla Firefox by choosing No Proxy or Use system proxy settings.
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How Do I Change My Location or IP Address with a VPN?
Whatever your reason for using a VPN, one thing it always does is change your IP address to the outside world. And since websites and online services determine your location by your IP, changing it means changing your location.
This is often known as geo-spoofing and has loads of benefits, including helping you maintain your online anonymity, letting you access region-restricted content and helping you save money by bagging bargains reserved for other countries.
So, how exactly do you perform a VPN location change? Why would you want to? And what do you do if it’s not working? Read on for our complete guide on changing your virtual location.
How to change your location with a VPN
Follow our simple step by step guide to learn how to use VPN to change your IP address to another country:
Choose a reliable VPN if you don’t have one yet. NordVPN is a good choice.
Download your VPN and install it on your computer.
Open and log in your VPN. If this is your first time logging into your VPN, you should be given a list of servers to connect to.
Select the country you want to connect to.
Now your IP address and location are changed. It’s really as simple as that.
Reasons to change your IP locationThere are several reasons why you might want to use a VPN to change your location, such as:
Accessing region-restricted streaming services
What to do if the VPN doesn’t help with geo-blocking
There could be lots of reasons why your VPN doesn’t work as advertised. Here’s what you can try if that happens:
Verify your IP address is not leaking. Sometimes, a VPN client will show that it’s connected and you’ll see the VPN address, but actually your real IP may be leaking. You can check this by looking up your IP online via sites like – if you see your real IP address, that means the VPN is not working properly
Switch to another server. Even if your VPN has correctly allocated a new IP address for you, a website might recognise the use of a VPN address range and either limit your access or block it entirely. Switching to a different server could fix this issue for you.
Check for a geolocation API. Websites and apps often use the HTML Geolocation API to find out where you are. And this can locate you even if you’re using a VPN, particularly if you’ve used that site or app before and given them permission to track your location. To fix this, check your browsers and apps for permissions you may have given and delete any you don’t want.
Check your cookies. Replacing your IP address might not be sufficient to trick a website into thinking you’re in another location, especially if it’s a site you’ve visited before. To get around this, try removing any unnecessary browser information by deleting your cookies and browser history before you log in.
Is changing your IP country legal? Masking your IP address is perfectly legal in most countries. However, what you do with a fake IP address might not be legal. Depending on the country you’re in, using a VPN to change your location so you can bypass government censorship could get you in trouble with the law.
What are the best VPNs to change your IP country? There are plenty of great VPNs out there, but the following 3 are particularly good for changing your geolocation.
1. NordVPN
Based in:PanamaServers/countries:5, 500+ servers in 59 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE!
Visit NordVPN
NordVPN is the leading VPN service on the market, and with good reason. This VPN offers quite possibly the most comprehensive security-minded package, complete with strong tunneling protocols, a highly-customizable kill switch, and a bunch of cool extras (like Onion over VPN).
In terms of switching your location, NordVPN offers a network of 5, 500+ servers in 59 countries. Each server is owned by the company and capable of delivering some of the best connection speeds out there.
All this and more is available for a modest price of $3. 30/month with the 2-year deal. And if you feel you don’t like it, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our NordVPN review
Pros
Unblocks most streaming platforms
Huge, reliable, server list
Strong security suite
Smart DNS feature
Very fast
24/7 live chat support team
Cons
No custom router firmware
2. Surfshark
Based in:British Virgin IslandsServers/countries:3, 200+ servers in 65 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Get Surfshark, now 81% OFF!
Visit Surfshark
Another big name, Surfshark has a rare selling proposition – unlimited connections per account! In other words, you can share your account with your family and friends, as well as connect all your various devices.
But Surfshark isn’t just about cost-efficiency. This VPN is one of the fastest around, delivering amazing speeds across its significant network of 3, 200+ servers in 65 countries. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a location Surfshark doesn’t have – perfect for those in need of a different IP location.
Surfshark is available from $2. 49/month and, like NordVPN, has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our Surfshark review
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Fast servers for IP switching
Awesome speeds with WireGuard
Guides for router setup
Smart DNS
Live chat runs 24/7
3. VyprVPN
Based in:SwitzerlandServers/countries:700 servers in 70 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Get up to 12 months FREE!
Visit VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a smaller VPN service compared to our two frontrunners, but that doesn’t mean it lacks server locations. As a matter of fact, VyprVPN’s 700 servers are spread out over 70 countries.
Not only that, this is a very secure and fast service that has some of the nicest VPN apps out there. It’ll even work in countries where VPN use is limited by the government, such as China, Russia, or Iran.
The kicker? You can get VyprVPN for a measly $1. 66/month with the 3-year plan. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies!
Read our VyprVPN review
The most affordable VPN option
Unblocks most big streaming platforms
Traffic obfuscation via the Chameleon 2. 0 protocol
Good speeds with WireGuard
Very affordable
Not as many servers as some other top VPNs
More reasons to use a VPNThere are loads of good reasons to use a VPN. Here are some of our favorites:
Safety and security is often the most important reason for using a VPN. After all, it encrypts all your online traffic, which gives protection from online hackers and third party snoops.
Privacy is something we all have a right to. After all, you don’t want anyone being able to see what you’re looking at online. And a VPN will help you keep your activity free from prying eyes.
Bypassing a government’s internet censorship can be incredibly important if you live in a country that closely monitors the online activity of its citizens. And by getting a VPN, you can bypass censorship and access the content you want without the government knowing.
Accessing region restricted content is one of the most popular reasons for using a VPN. It can be really frustrating when the TV show you want to watch isn’t available in your country or if you want to access BBC iPlayer abroad. By using a VPN, you can watch content from other regions.
Using public Wi-Fi without risks is another major benefit of using a VPN. After all, connecting to public Wi-Fi can leave your machine more vulnerable to hackers. But a VPN will keep you safe from these attacks by encrypting your traffic.
Bypassing restrictions at work or school is a popular use of VPNs as it’ll help you bypass the network firewall and let you access any sites on the blacklist set up by your school or workplace.
If you’re a blogger, activist or journalist, it’s vital that you keep your work and your location completely private. Very often, your work or even your safety could depend on it. A VPN will mask your IP address and keep your work and whereabouts safe.
Making sure Google can’t track you is important to people who value their privacy. It can often feel like Google is tracking our every move. And you don’t want information about you being sold to third party companies. The use of a VPN will stop Google from being able to spy on you.
You can save money on shopping and travel by using a VPN to access cheaper deals in other locations. Very often, global companies will offer different prices for products and services to different countries. This can help you save a lot of money, particularly on travel and online shopping.
VoIP calls are a cheap but useful way to chat online. But without a VPN, these Voice over Internet Protocol communications can be acquired and analysed. A VPN will encrypt these calls and make them much more difficult for a third party to decipher.
If you need more information on how to use a VPN, feel free to read our guide.
Thinking of trying out a VPN service? Read one of our VPN comparison reviews:ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Both are leading players in the market, but which one is for you?
Roobet VPN: Play Roobet from anywhere in the world
CyberGhost vs NordVPN: Both have their pros and cons, but there’s only one truly better
Install VPN on Kodi: check short tips how you can add a VPN on different devices for Kodi
FAQs on changing VPN locationHere, we’ll answer all your frequently asked questions about changing your VPN location.
Why is my VPN not changing my location?
If your VPN is not changing your virtual location, most likely there’s some technical issue or bug. For example, the VPN may be leaking your IP address or perhaps it’s being blocked by your firewall.
How do I change the VPN location on my router?
To change the VPN location on your router:
Where should I set my VPN location?
The answer depends on what content you want to access. If there’s a particular version of Netflix you want to access or a sporting event you’re desperate to watch, it’ll be really easy to choose the right location for your VPN.
Are free VPNs safe?
There is no safe VPN that is completely free. Most reputable VPN providers simply offer a free trial period, or a certain amount of free data each month.
Will a VPN change your IP address? – Pocket-lint
(Pocket-lint) – One of the most frequently asked questions about VPN (Virtual Private Networking) services is whether they’ll change your IP address – and if they do, what that actually means. Let’s look into first, let’s discover what an IP address is and why it’s out the latest deal from Nord VPN (promoted link)What is an IP address? Everything you connect to a network needs to have a unique address so that it can send and receive data over that network. On the internet, that address is an IP address; the IP stands for Internet Protocol. Every website, every connected computer, every smartphone app needs an IP address in order to can you get a free VPN? How do I get an IP address? For home and personal users, your IP address is given to you automatically by your internet service provider (ISP). If you have a router, the ISP will give it its own IP address and that’ll be shared with all the devices it’s connected to (your router then gives each of those devices its own IP address and routes each data packet to the appropriate device, which is why it’s called a router). If it’s a stand-alone device such as a smartphone it’ll be unique to that can other people learn from my IP address? Your IP address can be used to identify who your internet service provider is and where you are. That location varies from internet provider to internet provider, so for example our IP address just tells you that we’re somewhere in the UK; other ISPs have specific IP address blocks for specific parts of the country, so your IP address may say what city you’re does your IP address matter? Locating you based on your IP address is commonly used to restrict content. Those “this content is not available in this territory” messages on YouTube, or the “this page is not available to users in the European Union” pages on websites? They’re identifying your location from your IP address and shutting you to set up a VPNIP addresses are also harvested by advertising networks and used alongside other identifiers such as tracking cookies to build a picture of your browsing IP addresses can be used in subpoenas that compel internet service providers to revel the identity of their customers. That’s a real concern in repressive regimes where simply criticising the authorities can put you in does a VPN do to your IP address? It gives you a different one. That’s because when you’re connected via a VPN your internet data doesn’t go directly to the site or service you’re visiting; it goes to the VPN server, and that server then connects to the site or service (sometimes via multiple other servers for even more privacy). The site or service sees the IP of the server, not you – so while you may be browsing from Birmingham, Belfast or Boston the site believes you’re in Bangalore, Bulgaria or benefits do I get from having a different IP address? You’re harder to trace, harder to track and you can access content that’s only available to people connecting from the place you appear to be connecting changing my IP address protect my privacy? Yes, but only as part of a wider security strategy: if you’re zooming around the internet on a VPN but you’re logged into Facebook or downloading malware-stuffed software from dark corners of the Web you’re undoing the VPN’s best work. If privacy’s important that means browser-based security and steering well clear of social networks happens when I disconnect from the VPN? You’ll go back to sharing your real IP address with the sites or services you ’t the authorities just get my real IP address from the VPN provider? Not usually. If you’ve chosen the best VPN service it will have a no-logs policy: that means it doesn’t keep records of anything, including customer IP addresses. As soon as you disconnect, the VPN service forgets you were ever there.
Best iPhone apps 2021: The ultimate guide
By Maggie Tillman
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10 October 2021
VPN tips and tricks
Writing by Carrie Marshall. Editing by Dan Grabham. Originally published on 29 November 2017.