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Can’t delete VPN connection? Here’s how to fix it quickly

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

We can all agree and acknowledge that aVPNcan save you from a lot of hassle. From a connection’s privacy and security standpoint, of course.

It’s really easy to use aVPN, too. Granted you picked the right tool for the job, securing your connection is a matter of clicking once or twice. You just launch get yourVPNclient into view and select a server.

TheVPNclient should handle every other step so that you can enjoy a clean, secure, and private browsing experience without putting too much time and effort into it.

But things might not be so great all the time, sinceVPN, like any other software, is prone to occasionalerrors. Noterrorsper se, but issues.

Either way, sometimes certainVPNevents might hinder your ability to enjoy this type of service as you should.

For instance, you might discover that you can’t delete aVPNconnection from your PC.

Note that this is not the same as not being able todisconnect from yourVPN, which we previously covered. Turns out there are a few steps you can take if you discover you’re suddenly unable to pull the plug on your connection.

However, not being able to remove aVPNconnection profile from your computer has some different implications. And naturally, it can be solved in a different manner.

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How to delete a VPN connection?

1. Uninstall the VPN app

Once the uninstall process comes to an end, you shouldn’t be able to see aVPNprofile any longer.

ReliableVPNssuch asPrivate Internet Accesstreat privacy seriously and keep a clean shop, whether it’s installation or removal we’re talking about.

More so, you won’t get bombarded with offers, ads, and surveys upon your decision to remove the program.

2. Remove the VPN connection manually

That should’ve removed any old connection profile that still lingered after you’ve uninstalled the client. Note that attempting to delete an active connection won’t work.

Thus, make sure you’ve uninstalled the app before you attempt to delete theVPNconnection profile. If a connection is active, or theVPNclient still installed/service still running, the Delete option will be greyed-out.

3. Delete old, outdated TAP drivers

That’s it, you’ve managed to delete aVPNconnection from your computer entirely. Not only have you removed the client, but also made sure that there’s no residual connection profile or TAP driver associated with theVPNon your computer.

Sometimes it’s necessary to perform these seemingly useless operations, as manyVPNproviders intentionally leave these files behind.

The reason why they do this is that if you change your mind one day and reinstall their service, the process will be less complicated.

However, multiple TAP drivers and/or connection profiles that are no longer used or working might impede anotherVPN‘s ability to run as intended. This type of situation creates conflicts betweenVPNsoftware and should be avoided.

Deleting a VPN connection is not a complicated task

All things considered, removing aVPNconnection from your computer entirely is not exactly rocket science.

Yes, it involves doing more than double-clicking, but that doesn’t mean it’s any more complicated than, say, configuring subtitles for your movie.

The bottom line is that someVPNclients will intentionally leave some residual files behind. The reason why they resort to this is that you might want to reinstall their service later on, and if you do, the service can simply pick up where it left.

However, if you’re pondering on removing yourVPNto replace it with another service, it would be a wise thing to perform the steps we’ve described above.

Keeping old configuration files, connection profiles and TAP drivers can seriously affect your newVPN‘s ability to perform as intended.

Can’t delete VPN connection? Here’s how to fix it quickly#

How to delete a VPN connection?#

1. Uninstall the VPN app#

2. Remove the VPN connection manually#

3. Delete old, outdated TAP drivers#

Deleting a VPN connection is not a complicated task#