Nord VPN - killing internet access

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gregmcc

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#281424 16-Feb-2021 22:06

So for various reasons I need to start using a VPN, was recommended NORD VPN, I can log in to NORD, set the country to whatever I need, it tells me that the connection is working, but it kills everything internet related, web, email, teamviewer, dropbox, the whole lot go off line until I disconnect Nord.

I've tried setting DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (in Nord advanced settings) to see if that was the problem, but no luck - anyone got any suggestions?

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#2657955 16-Feb-2021 22:22

What computer do you have? Are you connecting over WiFi? Is the disconnection shown on the network icon in the system tray (which will appear as a globe only)?

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#2657958 16-Feb-2021 22:30

freitasm:

What computer do you have? Are you connecting over WiFi? Is the disconnection shown on the network icon in the system tray (which will appear as a globe only)?

sorry I'm guilty of not providing details...

Windows 10/64 (build 21301)

Connection over wired ethernet (Wifi is turned off on this PC to make troubleshooting easier)

connection on the system tray is shown as connected, which is the strange bit.

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#2657961 16-Feb-2021 22:37

What computer maker?

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#2657962 16-Feb-2021 22:40

How did you add the VPN? Manually or using their own application?

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#2657975 16-Feb-2021 23:28

There's a setting in the Nord application for a kill switch if it disconnects. Is that set?

Jase2985

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#2658004 17-Feb-2021 08:17

are you using the windows program? or browser extensions?

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#2658619 17-Feb-2021 17:47

freitasm:

How did you add the VPN? Manually or using their own application?

I used the application

gregmcc

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#2658620 17-Feb-2021 17:51

freitasm:

How did you add the VPN? Manually or using their own application?

Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 5, AMD Ryzen 2700

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#2658621 17-Feb-2021 17:51

Ok. I had a similar problem with another VPN who added its own network device. The laptop at the time (HP) had its own network manager and I will quote from my email to the application developer:

After some search I’ve found two articles that solved the mystery.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2919900/windows-connection-manager-disconnects-wlan-if-a-vpn-connection-is-est - This issue occurs because the VPN Adapter is registered as an Ethernet adapter. Starting with Windows 8, the WCMSVC (Windows Connection Manager) disconnects the WLAN connection because an Ethernet Adapter is seen as more reliable and provides better performance compared to a WLAN connection.

The thing is, there’s no Group Policy for this on my laptop, so something else is doing it. So here is the answer: https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D50P00004B5eMFSAZ/when-i-connect-my-private-internet-access-pia-vpn-my-wifi-drops-immediately?language=en_US# - by default the Intel Wireless drivers distributed to HP laptops install a service that replaces the WCM but with the same effect.

I’ve disabled the HP LAN Switching Service and the VPN connected and stayed connected – this is the workaround.

My guess is that at some point the VPN code was changed to set the VPN adapter as an Ethernet adapter (either by code or Windows assumes it by default). Perhaps review the code to make sure this is not the case as per the Microsoft KB link above.

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#2658623 17-Feb-2021 17:51

Jase2985:

are you using the windows program? or browser extensions?

no, it's off

gregmcc

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#2658625 17-Feb-2021 17:52

gregmcc:

freitasm:

How did you add the VPN? Manually or using their own application?

I used the application

The windows program

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#2658632 17-Feb-2021 18:14

does it still persist after a restart?

try changing the protocol to TCP, UDP or Nordlynx

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#2658641 17-Feb-2021 18:42

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but when I connect Nord VPN the Nordlynx tunnel enables, but there is no internet access available via nordlynx - should there be?

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#2658642 17-Feb-2021 19:11

Jase2985:

does it still persist after a restart?

try changing the protocol to TCP, UDP or Nordlynx

restart done, no change, it will not connect with TCP or UDP

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#2658724 17-Feb-2021 21:03

Had a bit of a breakthrough, decided to give it a go on my laptop, exactly the same issue, tethered my mobile tot the laptop and it worked just fine.

Back to the desktop, turned the ethernet off, turned wifi on - used the home wifi same problem, switched to mobile tethering and it worked, so it looks like my ISP is doing something that is blocking the VPN.

Thanks to everyone and their suggestions.

I have fired off a please explain to my ISP.

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