Fix: Android 12 VPN Not Working Issue

Android 12 is now the latest operating system by Google that runs on eligible Pixel other non-Pixel Android devices too respective to the OEMs. Although Android 12 comes with a bunch of features and improvements than its predecessor Android 11, it seems that some Android 12 users are facing the VPN Not Working Issue on their devices which is quite unfortunate. Now, if you’re also facing the same issue, you can check out this troubleshooting guide.

There are a number of issues that can arise with VPN, such as the inability to connect, slow server speeds, and frequent disconnections. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which extends a private network across a public network and creates a secure tunnel for users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if they were connected to a private network. VPN protects against data theft, online monitoring, and data sniffing.

Fix: Android 12 VPN Not Working Issue

It is important to note that many users of the initial Android 12 build have reported issues with VPN connectivity. Multiple reports indicate that VPNs are not working properly on this version. However, Google has acknowledged the issue and released a patch fix for Android 12 users. Nonetheless, some users who have installed the stable build are still experiencing the same issue with VPN services.

Here we’ve shared a couple of possible troubleshooting methods that should help you. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

Watch Video Troubleshoot:

Our latest video tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on how to resolve the issue of Android 12 VPN not working. By following the detailed troubleshooting steps outlined in the video, you will have the necessary tools to effectively fix the problem and enjoy uninterrupted usage of the VPN service.

Watch Video Tutorial

1. Check if the VPN connection is turned on

The first thing you can do is simply turn on the VPN service by opening the respective VPN app on your Android 12 device and connecting to a region server to start using it. Make sure to turn on Wi-Fi or mobile data whatever you use. Sometimes users forget to enable the VPN service and start roaming for a fix.

2. Delete Cache and Data of the VPN app

The second thing you can do is to delete the cache and data of the VPN app on your Android 12 device to refresh the system glitch. It’s worth mentioning that a corrupted app cache or data can cause issues with the VPN connectivity. To do so:

• Go to the device Settings menu > Tap on Apps & Notifications.
• Tap on See all apps option to view all the installed apps on your device.
• Next, locate and select the VPN app from the list > Tap on Storage & Cache.
• Tap on Clear cache to delete the cached data.
• Now, tap on Clear storage and select OK to delete the app storage data from the phone.
• Go back once to the App Info page again and select Force stop of the VPN app.
• If prompted, confirm the process, and re-open the VPN app to check for the issue.

3. Update the VPN app

It’s also worth mentioning to update the VPN app on your mobile device that may fix multiple issues with the glitch or bug. Make sure to update the VPN app by following the steps below. To do this:

• Open the Google Play Store app > Tap on the three-dots icon at the top-right corner. [profile icon]
• Go to My apps & games > Here you’ll find out the VPN app if there is an update available.
• Tap on Update next to VPN app > It’ll automatically install the update.
• Once updated to the latest version, launch the VPN app, and try connecting to a region server again.

4. Uninstall and Reinstall the VPN app

If you’re still unable to fix the VPN not working on your Android 12 device then make sure to uninstall and reinstall the VPN app. You can follow the steps below to do so:

• Make sure to tap and hold the VPN app icon on your device (home screen/app drawer menu).
• Next, select Uninstall (Delete) > Confirm the process to remove it.
• Then head over to the Google Play Store app > Search for the particular VPN app and install it.

Otherwise, you can do the following steps as an alternative one.

• Open the Google Play Store app > Search for the VPN app.
• Tap on it to open the app preview or installation page.
• Now, tap on Uninstall to delete the VPN app from your handset.
• Then wait for a few seconds and tap on Install to reinstall it.

Must Read: Battery Not Charging Beyond 80% After Android 12 Update, Is there a fix?

5. Disable Smart Switch between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data

Some latest Android devices do offer a smart switch feature by default that automatically switches between mobile data and Wi-Fi seamlessly without any kind of connectivity interference if any of the network connection is slow or don’t have internet access. So, it’s always better to turn off this feature manually if you’re facing issues with the Android 12 VPN Not Working. To do so:

• Go to the device Settings menu > Tap on Network.
• Tap on Wi-Fi > Go to the three dots icon menu > Select Wi-Fi+ or Smart Switch. [It may vary depending on the device model]
• Turn off the toggle to disable the automatic switch option between mobile data and Wi-Fi.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the device to apply changes.

6. Reset Network Settings

If in case, your Android 12 device has some issues with the networking settings then it may cause several issues whatsoever. Make sure to reset network settings to the factory defaults. To do so:

• Go to the Settings of your Android 12 device > Tap on the System tab.
• Tap on the Reset button > Tap on the Reset Network Settings.
• You’ll now receive a warning message that you’re going to reset your network settings.
• Tap on the ‘Reset Network Settings’ option and confirm the process.
• Wait for it to complete and then reboot the device to apply changes.
• Once done, make sure to connect to the Wi-Fi network again by entering the password and start using the VPN app again.

7. Check VPN compatibility with your Browser

It may also be possible that your mobile browser application doesn’t support the specific VPN app that you’re using. So, it’s always better to check the app’s compatibility with the browser before jumping to any conclusion. However, most of the popular browsers do support almost all app VPN apps or services like Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.

But some of the apps may not support VPN apps due to development support or usage terms. It’s recommended to check for the browser app update and install the latest version to avoid multiple bugs or compatibility issues.

8. Delete other VPN apps and Profiles

Well, having multiple numbers of VPN apps installed on your Android 12 device may cause app conflicts or connectivity issues whatsoever. could cause conflict and result in connection problems with your VPN app. So, if you’ve more than one VPN app installed on your phone then just uninstall other VPN apps and their user profiles from your device. Just keep one VPN app that works best for you or one you’ve paid for. To do this:

• First, make sure which VPN app you would like to keep and use as a primary one.
• Next, uninstall all other installed VPN apps from the device by following the steps below:
  • Tap and hold the VPN app icon and select Uninstall or just drag it to the Trash icon. [Do the same step for all VPN apps that you want to delete]

Alternatively, you can also remove the VPN profiles from your device which are saved. To do so:

• Open the Settings menu on your device > Go to Wireless and Network Settings.
• Tap on the VPN option > Click on the cogwheel icon (settings) next to a VPN profile that you want to delete.
• Now, tap on the Remove or Forget VPN or Delete Profile option.
• Confirm the process and do the same steps for each VPN profile that you want to delete.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the device to apply changes.

9. Turn Off Battery Saver

It seems that the Battery Saver option can cause several issues with the app operations or the performance of the device battery is low. In that scenario, either charge the battery level sufficiently or turn off the Battery Saver option from the device by following the steps below. You can easily pull down the quick settings tile on your device and turn off the Battery Saver feature directly.

Otherwise, go to the device Settings menu > Tap on Battery > Turn off the Battery saver toggle.

10. Disable Battery Optimization for the VPN app

Make sure to disable the battery optimization for the VPN app that you’re using or facing issues with the connectivity.

• Go to Settings > Tap on Battery.
• Tap on Battery Usage > Scroll the list of installed apps and tap on the VPN app.
• Now, make sure to turn off the battery optimization option for that VPN app.
• Also, turn off the Auto Launch and Run in the background option.

11. Check VPN compatibility with the Wi-Fi Router

Some public Wi-Fi routers or connections may have restricted access and might not support VPN services such as schools, colleges, offices, etc. In that scenario, you should use another Wi-Fi network or mobile data to access your online content using VPN services. But if you’re using a private Wi-Fi network or have your own connection then make sure to contact ISP for further assistance.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.