Privacy & security
Is my VPN working?
Pip checks the clues websites use to spot a VPN or proxy – and whether anything is leaking your real location.
Pip is looking for clues…
How to tell if your VPN is working
- Turn the VPN off and note your IP address and location on our home page.
- Turn the VPN on and open this page again. The IP address, location and internet provider should all change to the VPN's.
- Check that nothing leaks: WebRTC (checked above).
- If you have IPv6, make sure your VPN tunnels it too. Many VPNs only tunnel IPv4, so your real IPv6 address can slip out.
How websites detect VPNs and proxies
- Data-centre networks – VPN servers live in data centres, while normal users connect through home or mobile providers.
- Tor exit nodes – the list of Tor exit relays is public.
- Time zone mismatch – your device's clock says one place, your IP says another.
- WebRTC leaks – your browser reveals a different IP address.
No single clue is proof. Some VPNs use home ("residential") IP addresses that look like normal users, and some ordinary people browse from data-centre networks at work. Treat the result as a strong hint, not a verdict.
Understanding your VPN check result
The check above looks at several independent signals and combines them into one verdict. Here is what each line means and what you should see when a VPN is working properly:
- IP address and provider. With the VPN on, the provider should be the VPN company or the data centre it rents servers from (for example M247, Datacamp, Leaseweb or a cloud provider) – not your home broadband or mobile company.
- Network type. “Hosting / data centre” is normal for a VPN. “Residential” or “Mobile” with the VPN switched on usually means the VPN is not routing your browser’s traffic.
- Time zone match. Your device reports its time zone to every website. If your VPN server is in Germany but your clock says Asia/Bangkok, sites can tell you are not really in Germany. This is not a leak of your IP, but it is a strong clue.
- WebRTC. If WebRTC shows a different public IP from the one at the top of the page, your real address may be exposed. See our WebRTC leak guide.
- Tor. If you use the Tor Browser, the check confirms whether your address is a known Tor exit relay.
Common problems and fixes
My VPN is on, but this page shows my real IP
Most often the VPN app is connected but your browser is not using it. Check for split tunnelling settings that exclude your browser, a browser extension proxy that overrides the system VPN, or a second network adapter (for example Wi-Fi and Ethernet both connected). Disconnect and reconnect the VPN, then refresh this page with a hard reload (Ctrl + F5 or Cmd + Shift + R).
The IP changed, but the location is still my country
Some VPN servers are “virtual locations”: the server is physically in one country but advertises an IP registered to another. Geolocation databases may place it at the real location. Try a different server, and read why IP location can be wrong.
A streaming or banking site still blocks me
Large services keep their own lists of VPN and data-centre address ranges. Even a perfectly working VPN can be detected simply because its IP belongs to a hosting company. That is a policy choice by the website, not a fault in your VPN.
VPN check – frequently asked questions
Can websites always tell that I am using a VPN?
Not always, but often. Commercial VPNs use servers in data centres, and those address ranges are well known. Residential VPNs and proxies are harder to spot. No single signal is proof, which is why we show each clue separately.
Is it illegal to use a VPN?
In most countries using a VPN is legal, and businesses rely on them every day. A few countries restrict or ban unapproved VPN services. Using a VPN does not make illegal activity legal, and some websites forbid VPN use in their terms of service.
Does a VPN hide my browsing from my internet provider?
A working VPN encrypts your traffic and DNS so your provider only sees that you are connected to a VPN server and how much data you use.
Why does my VPN say I am in one country and this page says another?
VPN apps show the location the company advertises for a server. Geolocation databases build their own estimate from registration data and network measurements. When they disagree, websites usually trust the database.
Is a free VPN good enough?
Some free VPNs are fine for occasional use, but many limit speed and data, log your activity or show ads. Whatever you choose, use this page and the leak tests to confirm it really hides your address.