Connect to your VPN and suddenly you can't access any websites or local network resources. Here's how to use VPN without losing your internet connection.

Why Does VPN Kill Your Internet Connection?

You connect to your work VPN or personal VPN service, and suddenly everything stops working. You can't browse websites, access local network printers, or even reach your router's settings page. Disconnect the VPN and everything works again.

This happens because of how Windows routes your internet traffic when a VPN is active. By default, many VPNs force all traffic through the VPN tunnel, which can break access to both the internet and local resources. This is called "full tunneling" and while it's more secure, it's often unnecessary and disruptive.

Quick Fix: Disable Full Tunneling

The fastest solution is to enable "split tunneling," which lets you access the internet normally while staying connected to VPN resources:

Open Control Panel and search for "Network Connections" or press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter
Right-click your VPN connection and select "Properties"
Click the "Networking" tab
Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties"
Click the "Advanced" button
Uncheck "Use default gateway on remote network"
Click OK on all windows to save
Disconnect and reconnect your VPN

This setting allows your computer to access work resources through the VPN while routing regular internet traffic through your normal connection.

🔧Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions

Solution 1: Configure Split Tunneling in VPN Client

If you're using a commercial VPN service (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.), they often have built-in split tunneling options:

Open your VPN application
Go to Settings or Preferences
Look for "Split Tunneling," "Network Settings," or "Advanced"
Enable split tunneling
Choose which apps or websites should use the VPN
Reconnect to the VPN

For work VPNs, check with your IT department before enabling split tunneling, as it may be required for security reasons.

Solution 2: Change DNS Settings

Sometimes VPN-assigned DNS servers don't work properly, breaking internet access:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN
Click on your VPN connection
Click "Advanced options"
Scroll to "DNS server assignment" and click "Edit"
Change to "Manual"
Turn on IPv4
Enter Google DNS servers:
Preferred: 8.8.8.8
Alternate: 8.8.4.4
Click Save and reconnect to VPN

Solution 3: Adjust VPN Adapter Network Priority

Windows might be prioritizing the VPN connection incorrectly:

Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter
Press Alt key to show the menu bar
Click "Advanced" > "Advanced Settings"
In the "Connections" section, your regular network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) should be above the VPN connection
Use the up/down arrow buttons to rearrange if needed
Click OK
Reconnect to your VPN

Solution 4: Run Network Reset After VPN Issues

VPN connections can sometimes corrupt network settings:

Disconnect from the VPN
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Run these commands:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Restart your computer
Reconnect to the internet, then to VPN

Solution 5: Update VPN Client and Network Drivers

Outdated software can cause routing conflicts:

Check for updates to your VPN client software - most have an "Check for Updates" option in settings
Update your network adapter drivers:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand "Network adapters"
- Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter
- Select "Update driver" > "Search automatically for drivers"
Restart your computer after updates

If That Didn't Work

Try these additional troubleshooting steps:

Temporarily Disable Antivirus: Some security software conflicts with VPN connections - try disabling it temporarily
Check Firewall Settings: Windows Firewall might be blocking VPN traffic - add your VPN client to allowed apps
Reinstall VPN Client: Uninstall your VPN software completely, restart, then reinstall the latest version
Try a Different VPN Protocol: In your VPN settings, switch between OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard to see if one works better
Contact Your VPN Provider: If using a commercial VPN service, their support team can provide protocol-specific settings

📞When to Call a Professional

Most VPN connectivity issues can be resolved with the steps above, but sometimes you need expert help:

You're required to use a work VPN and can't modify settings without IT approval
The VPN is critical for work and you can't risk making it worse
Multiple network problems occur simultaneously
You need to set up complex routing rules or site-to-site VPN
Your company has specific security requirements you must maintain

A professional can configure advanced routing, ensure security compliance, and set up VPN connections that work seamlessly with your other network needs.

VPN and Network Setup Experts

Whether you need help configuring a work VPN, setting up secure remote access, or troubleshooting complex network routing issues, our team has the expertise to get it done right.

Professional IT support for homes and businesses in Louisville.

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