VPN Won't Turn Off? How to Fix It (2026)
VPN stuck on or reconnecting? Turn off the kill switch and always-on setting, quit the app, remove the VPN profile, and restart. Step-by-step fix for every platform.
Quick Fix
If your VPN won't turn off, disconnect in the app and turn off the "always-on VPN" or kill switch setting - those are what keep it active or auto-reconnecting. If it's still stuck, fully quit the app and remove the VPN configuration profile in your device's settings. A restart clears anything left over. If your internet is blocked even after the VPN appears off, that's the kill switch - disabling it or restarting fixes it.
Why a VPN Gets Stuck On
A VPN that won't switch off almost always comes down to one of these:
- Always-on VPN - a setting that forces the VPN to stay connected and reconnect automatically.
- Kill switch - if it's active, it may block traffic and make the VPN appear stuck even after disconnecting.
- Background app - closing the window doesn't always quit the app; it keeps the tunnel alive.
- Configuration profile - the system-level VPN profile keeps routing traffic until removed.
- Router-level VPN - if set up on the router, no device app can turn it off.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Press Disconnect in the app and wait for the status to change.
- Turn off the kill switch and "always-on VPN" setting so it stops reconnecting.
- Remove the VPN configuration profile in your device's VPN settings.
- Fully quit the app (force-quit), not just minimise it.
- Restart your device to clear any stuck connection or network rules.
- Check your router - if the VPN is set up there, disable it in the router admin panel.
Turning It Off by Platform
- iPhone/iPad: Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > toggle the VPN off, or delete the profile.
- Android: Settings > Network & internet > VPN > disable "always-on VPN", then turn the VPN off (or remove it).
- Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > disconnect/remove; also quit the provider app.
- Mac: System Settings > VPN (or Network) > turn off the connection; quit the app from the menu bar.
- Router: log in to the router admin panel and disable the VPN client there.
If You Have No Internet After
If your connection is dead even though the VPN looks off, a kill switch is almost certainly still blocking traffic. Reconnect the VPN and disconnect cleanly, disable the kill switch in settings, or simply restart your device - any of these clears the block. Removing the VPN configuration profile also resolves it. For the opposite problem - a VPN that won't connect in the first place - see our VPN not connecting guide.