How to Check If Your VPN Is Actually Working (4 Quick Tests)

~/sheets/how-to-check-vpn-is-working.md
Your VPN Might Not Be Working
You are paying for a VPN, but how do you know it is actually protecting you? Many VPNs leak your real information through DNS, WebRTC, or misconfiguration. Here are four tests you should run right now.
Test 1: Check Your IP Address
Visit HackMyIP and check your IP address. If you see your real city and ISP instead of the VPN server location, your VPN is not connected. Your IP should show the VPN provider's server, not your home address.
Test 2: DNS Leak Test
Your DNS queries can leak outside the VPN tunnel, exposing every website you visit to your ISP. Run our DNS leak test. If the detected DNS servers belong to your ISP instead of your VPN provider, you have a DNS leak. Fix it by enabling the VPN's built-in DNS leak protection or manually setting your DNS to 1.1.1.1.
Test 3: WebRTC Leak Test
WebRTC is a browser feature that can bypass your VPN and expose your real IP address. Run our WebRTC leak test. If it shows a different IP than your VPN server, your browser is leaking your real address. Fix it by disabling WebRTC in your browser settings or using a browser extension.
Test 4: Privacy Checkup
Run our full privacy checkup to test all of the above at once. You will get a grade from A+ to F based on your overall privacy posture. Share the result with friends to compare.
What to Do If Your VPN Is Leaking
Enable your VPN's kill switch (prevents internet access if the VPN disconnects)
Turn on DNS leak protection in your VPN settings
Disable WebRTC in your browser (Firefox: about:config, set media.peerconnection.enabled to false)
Try a different VPN server or protocol
Consider switching to a VPN provider that has passed independent security audits
Test Regularly
VPN leaks can appear after software updates, network changes, or VPN client updates. Test monthly using our tools. Bookmark the privacy checkup and run it after every VPN update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my VPN is working?
Connect to your VPN and check your IP address on HackMyIP. If you see the VPN server location instead of your real city and ISP, the basic connection is working. Then confirm there are no DNS or WebRTC leaks, since your IP can look masked while those still expose you.
How do I test my VPN for leaks?
Run our DNS leak test and WebRTC leak test while connected, or run the full privacy checkup to test everything at once and get a grade from A+ to F. If a test shows your ISP resolver or your real IP, your VPN is leaking.
Why does my real IP still show when my VPN is on?
The usual causes are a WebRTC leak in your browser, a DNS leak routing queries through your ISP, or a VPN that is not actually connected. Enable your VPN kill switch, turn on DNS leak protection, and disable WebRTC in your browser, then re-test.
How often should I check that my VPN is working?
Test at least monthly, and again after any software, network, or VPN client update, since leaks commonly appear after those changes. Bookmark the privacy checkup and run it after every VPN update.
What should I do if my VPN is leaking?
Enable your VPN kill switch so traffic stops if the VPN drops, turn on DNS leak protection, disable WebRTC in your browser (in Firefox set media.peerconnection.enabled to false), try a different server or protocol, and consider switching to a provider that has passed independent security audits.
Published: May 2026