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FIX: NordVPN Double VPN not connecting (7 solutions)
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
NordVPNsupports multi-hop VPN connections. It means that, instead of connecting to a single VPN server, you connect to two. The feature is known as Double VPN.
The way Double VPN works is simple enough: it encrypts your traffic and diverts it to the first server, then encrypts it again and redirects it to the second server. This results in better online privacy.
Unfortunately, many NordVPN users claim that Double VPN is not connecting on their devices. Theerrorcould be the result of the heavy toll that Double VPN takes on the connection speed.
Since it appliesencryptiontwice, it results in increased overhead. So you might be experiencing slow connections.
Don’t worry about it since we’re here to help.
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What do I do if NordVPN’s Double VPN feature is not working?
Connect to the nearest Double VPN server
With the instructions above, you are allowing NordVPN to automatically connect to the nearest country and server by taking into account your current location.
Normally, this ensures the best possible speed, so you shouldn’t have Double VPN connection issues anymore.
But it only works if there’s a problem with the NordVPN server. Otherwise, proceed to the following solutions.
Update NordVPN to the latest version
It’s critical to keep NordVPN to the newest edition. So, if there are any pending in-app updates, make sure to allow them in the NordVPN interface.
Restart the client afterward and try to connect to a Double VPN server again.
Change the VPN protocol
There are three VPN protocols available in the NordVPN desktop app: OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and NordLynx.
If you have trouble connecting to Double VPN, change the VPN protocol:
OpenVPN (UDP) is faster than OpenVPN (TCP). But if it doesn’t work either, try usingNordLynx.
NordLynx is a modded version of the WireGuard protocol, built for security and speed.
Set custom DNS servers
NordVPN runs traffic through its private DNS servers as soon as you connect to a VPN server. However, if the VPN provider has slow DNS problems, then you have to change the DNS resolver.
Thankfully, NordVPN supports custom DNS servers, which means that you can directly input any other DNS server addresses within the app.
Here’s how you can do that:
In the instructions above, we used Google Public DNS because the DNS server addresses are free, public, safe, and super secure.
If you keep having Double VPN connection problems after this step, we suggestchanging the Windows 10 DNS serversso that your Internet connection can use the Google Public DNS servers even outside of the VPN.
Reinstall NordVPN
Remove NordVPN from your computer and then reinstall it. This should solve any application errors that cause Double VPN connection problems.
Here’s how:
Check your Internet connection
If your Internet connection is too slow, it won’t be able to handle the overhead of double encryption provided by the Double VPN features.
Here are a few things you can try:
Switch VPN providers
If Double VPN is still not connecting in NordVPN after trying everything we listed above, perhaps it’s not the right fit for you.
Consider dropping NordVPN and replacing it with another VPN service that supports two simultaneous VPN connections.
We recommend usingPrivate Internet Access. It supports Shadowsocks proxy, which redirects your VPN connection to a secondary server. Plus, unlike NordVPN, PIA lets you choose both servers.
Here’s how you can set up a VPN server chain in PIA:
More about PIA:
Private Internet Access
Conclusion
To recap, if the Double VPN feature is not connecting in NordVPN, get started by trying to connect to the nearest Double VPN server.
You should also update NordVPN to the most recent version, change the VPN protocol, use custom DNS servers, and reinstall NordVPN.
Check the quality of your Internet connection to see if it’s capable of handling the overhead resulted from double encryption.
However, if everything fails, it’s time to drop NordVPN and replace it with Private Internet Access (buy here). You can easily connect to a second VPN location in PIA using a Shadowsocks proxy.
Did you get the Double VPN feature to work on your computer? What solution worked for you? Let us know in the comment section below.
More about the topics:nordvpn,VPN errors
Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is always trying new things to improve her skill set.
Once in a blue moon, she steps aside from the desk to play with her bunny and to water her probably dead plants.
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Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. She’s a software reviewer and content editor.
