If you’re trying to use WhatsApp with a VPN and it’s not working, there are a number of problems you might be coming across.
Either the VPN you’re using doesn’t use a fast enough protocol to be compatible with WhatsApp. Or your chosen VPN isn’t secure enough to get around internet service provider (ISP) blocks you might be coming across.
Don’t panic, though, no matter what the issue is, there’s a way to solve the problem.
We’ve compiled a list of easy fixes you can try to fix WhatsApp not working with VPN.
See also:
- Omegle not working with VPN? Here’s how to FIX that! (2023)
- Crunchyroll not working with VPN? Try these EASY fixes! (2023)
- TikTok not working with VPN? Try these EASY fixes! (2023)
WhatsApp not working with VPN: Fixes
Follow these fixes in order. If one doesn’t work, move on to the next one until you’ve fixed WhatsApp not working with VPN.
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Clear cache
The WhatsApp cache is a temporary storage area allowing you to quickly access your data.
For WhatsApp, the cache is used for photo files, messages and many other files.
Often files inside the cache can become problematic and bugged, which will cause problems when using the app. It can also quickly run out of storage space which will slow the app down.
To ensure WhatsApp is running at its best, it’s best to clear the cache. This will remove any problematic files causing WhatsApp to not work with your VPN.
Don’t worry. Clearing the cache won’t remove everything. Any conversations, photos or messages that are stored on the WhatsApp servers will not be cleared.
A good place to start when trying to fix WhatsApp not working with VPN is clearing the cache.
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Update WhatsApp
There’s many reasons why updating WhatsApp is important.
Not only does it provide you with the latest version of WhatsApp so you can use new features, it also comes with bug fixes, repairs and security enhancements.
The company itself stated “WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade to the latest version of our app, as well as keep their mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices,”
Updating WhatsApp will ensure you have the latest version of the software.
If you’re having problems using your VPN with WhatsApp it might be because the VPN is no longer compatible with the older version of WhatsApp.
Updating the app will fix this issue and potentially allow you to use WhatsApp with your VPN again.
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Update your VPN
Always ensure you’re updated to the latest version of your VPN.
Chances are your VPN knows about an error or bug that might be preventing it from working with WhatsApp. When this happens, it will probably release an update with fixes to these issues.
To ensure you’ve downloaded these fixes, update your VPN to its latest version.
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Change to a different protocol
Check to see if your VPN supports multiple protocols and change between them.
Protocols are a set of rules that define how your VPN reroutes your data through its servers.
Some protocols are faster than others, some are more secure, but they’re all different.
WhatsApp might not be working with your VPN because the protocol you’re using is no longer compatible with the app.
Try changing protocol to see if that fixes the issue.
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Upgrade to a VPN that works with WhatsApp
WhatsApp declares that, “WhatsApp isn’t designed to be used with proxy or VPN services. We don’t support these configurations.” Basically what this means, is WhatsApp doesn’t go out of its way to make itself compatible with VPNs.
What needs to happen instead is VPNs need to make themselves compatible with WhatsApp. That means constantly updating the software, and ensuring the VPN is fast enough and secure enough to work with WhatsApp.
This can be expensive and a lot of VPNs, especially free VPNs, can’t keep up with the financial demand.
Fortunately both ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) and Private Internet Access ($2.03/month), work very well with WhatsApp.
Both of these VPNs utilise fast/secure protocols so they can keep up with the speed required to work with WhatsApp and they’re capable of constantly updating and improving to ensure they work with WhatsApp.
If your VPN isn’t working with WhatsApp it doesn’t have the infrastructure to remain compatible with the messaging app. Both ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) and Private Internet Access ($2.03/month), have massive infrastructure behind them to ensure they work reliably with WhatsApp.
Why doesn’t WhatsApp work with a VPN?
When you use a VPN with WhatsApp, the messaging app isn’t blocking the VPN, it’s most likely your internet service provider that’s blocking your VPN connection.
This is happening because you’re either in a location where there are strict internet restrictions that block VPNs or because the VPN you’re using isn’t good enough to get around these ISP blocks.
Does WhatsApp block VPNs?
Technically, WhatsApp doesn’t block VPNs, but as WhatsApp states it isn’t designed to be used with a VPN.
This means the app doesn’t do anything to assist you if you’re using a VPN. And this can be a problem if you’re in a country where WhatsApp is banned, blocked or partially blocked.
A perfect example of this is Qatar. WhatsApp is banned in Qatar and Qatari ISPs block anyone from accessing the messaging app, even if they’re using a VPN.
A lot of the time, if WhatsApp isn’t working with VPN, it’s because the VPN you’re using isn’t fast enough or secure enough to get around ISP blocks.
What VPNs work with WhatsApp?
To ensure you can use WhatsApp with a VPN, you need a VPN that can get around ISP blocks.
ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) and NordVPN ($3.19/month), have a great track record of getting around ISP-based blocks.
They’re fast and secure. Express uses its own Lightway protocol which is very fast and very secure making it difficult for ISPs to track your connection. This makes it so that ISPs struggle to block these VPNs.
Also, on the off chance ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.19/month) do have one of their IP addresses blocked, they’ll close that IP address and open a new one to ensure you can consistently use WhatsApp with a VPN.
The best VPNs for WhatsApp
1. ExpressVPN 🥇
Why You Should Use ExpressVPN? It’s the fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2023
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
Special Offer for you!
Get 3 extra months free when you sign up for a 12-month ExpressVPN plan. That’s 15 months in total for the price of 12.
Number of servers: 3,000+ | Speed: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 160 in 94 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $6.66/month for 15 months
- $9.99/month for 6 months
- $12.95/month for 1 month
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is still the best VPN. And importantly, it ALWAYS has servers that are open with major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
ExpressVPN is usually very good at playing Cat and Mouse with online streaming sites. Meaning, whenever one of its servers is blacklisted it creates a new one – giving its users a constant stream of servers that aren’t blocked. Needless to say, this is a valuable attribute if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock streaming sites.
Its app is easy-to-use and free to download on pretty much any device you can think of. Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, FireStick, Android TV, Roku, PS4, Xbox, Linux, even Apple TV (with a workaround). It’s got it all covered.
The app is another main reason this VPN is so good at unblocking TV streaming sites (that claim they block VPNs) is that its software takes a pragmatic approach to user management. While other VPNs tempt customers by promising them access to hundreds/thousands of servers in multiple countries, ExpressVPN does things differently.
With ExpressVPN you only have a handful of server locations to choose from. Once you select your location the app takes care of the rest. Assigning you to the fastest available server that’s not oversubscribed. This simple technique is so important, as it keeps ExpressVPN’s servers operating at lightning-fast speeds and prevents its IPs from getting blacklisted for “abnormal” usage in the first place.
Check out our full ExpressVPN review.
Special Offer for you
(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. NordVPN 🥈
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ No logs
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 6-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ No refunds for purchases from iTunes/App store
Special Offer for you!
Sign up for a 3-year plan with Private Internet Access and save 83% + 3 months free. That works out at $2.03/month.
Number of servers: 5,000+ | Speeds: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 62 countries | Devices supported: 6 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $3.49/month for 2 years
- $6.99/month for 1 year
- $11.95/month for 1 month
NordVPN is the most widely-used VPN in the world. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished app that delivers fast connections (more on this later) to a massive network of VPN servers.
It’s the most reliable at unblocking popular streaming services too – US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. This is because NordVPN hired a full-time technical team (that’s responsible for monitoring its servers’ connections with popular TV streaming services) and has been aggressively investing in its network of IP addresses in key locations.
Another interesting thing to note is that NordVPN is an industry leader in its development of Nordlynx technology. Nordlynx is built using the WireGuard, a new VPN tunneling protocol designed to outperform current standards (OpenVPN and IPSec). The benefits, according to NordVPN, are dramatically faster transfer speeds while connected to a VPN. My tests – New Zealand to London – confirm that Nordlynx is currently the fastest VPN on the market. However, the difference isn’t dramatic, a few Mbps is all.
Read our NordVPN review.
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3. Private Internet Access
The BEST low-cost VPN for streaming!
Pros
- ✅ Fast and reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Only 48 server locations
Special Offer for you!
Sign up for a 3-year plan with Private Internet Access and save 83% + 3 months free. That works out at $2.03/month.
Number of servers: 25,000+ | Speed: >75% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 70 in 74 countries | Devices supported: 10 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.03/month for 3 years
- $7.50/month for 6 months
- $11.99/month for 1 month
Private Internet Access is one of the leading no-log VPN services with over 1-million paying customers.
This VPN is one of the best in the industry at beating streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ Amazon Prime Video, etc. It also allows 10 simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time, so you can share the account with your close friends.
If – for whatever reason – you’re not happy with Private Internet Access, there’s a 24/7 live chat support available to assist you with your problem. PIA also offers the industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
From my tests (from New Zealand) I was able to get download speeds of 70 Mbps while connected to a UK server using the Private Internet Access VPN (my non-VPN speed is 100 Mbps).
Special Offer – Save 83%
(30-day money-back guarantee)
4. Ivacy
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ Dedicated streaming servers
- ✅ 5-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
Cons
- ❌ Only 5 devices
- ❌ Sometimes runs slow
- ❌ Occasionally block by streaming sites for several days
Special Offer for you!
Sign up for Ivacy and enjoy a 7-day trial with no strings attached
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $1.16/month for 5 years
- $3.50/month for 1 year
- $9.99/month for 1 month
If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a great option.
This VPN has all the features you need to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world. I’ve been testing the app recently on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick and the results have been impressive – unlocking BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. with ease.
The Ivacy app is a little different in regards to its UX (user experience). Instead of just selecting a UK server, you need to select the specific BBC iPlayer server. Don’t worry, this isn’t a bad thing – by connecting to a dedicated BBC iPlayer server, it simply means that you’re connecting to an IP address that Ivacy knows works with BBC iPlayer.
For an extra $1.99/month (£1.74) you can add-on a dedicated IP. This will buy you sole access to an IP address in a country of your choice, meaning you won’t have to share your IP (and speeds) with any other use. I don’t recommend this though, using the regular Ivacy servers is enough 95 per cent of the time.
Special Offer – 7-day FREE trial!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
5. CyberGhost
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ 1-day free trial
- ✅ Reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 7-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Average speed scores
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
Take advantage of CyberGhost’s 1-day FREE TRIAL!
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.75/month for 3 years
- $3.69/month for 2 years
- $5.99/month for 1 year
- $12.99/month for 1 month
CyberGhost is one of the more established VPNs on the market. It has a well-established, and well-tested global network of servers that perform well.
From my tests over the past several months, CyberGhost has no trouble at unblocking major streaming services – US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc. This VPN performed well at maintaining download speeds, well above 65 per cent of my regular (non VPN) ISP speed.
That said, there’s nothing really unique about the service. Which forces you to look at its price-point. And there’s nothing special here. Its short-term $12.99/month price tag puts is well above the industry average of $10.10/month. Similarly, its long-term $2.75/month for 3 years deal isn’t much of a “deal” either.
Oddly, CyberGhost’s most unique feature is its a 1-day, no obligations, free trial. This is an appealing offer to customers who are new to VPNs. However, it’s important to remember that most reputable VPNs will offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try not to be too seduced by the offer.
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
(30-day money-back guarantee)
Is using a VPN with WhatsApp legal?
Yes, using WhatsApp is legal so long as you aren’t in one of these countries: China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Iraq, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Seychelles, Suriname, Namibia, Slovenia, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.
These locations prohibit or heavily restrict VPNs so using one with WhatsApp may get you into legal trouble.
If you’re outside these countries, using a VPN with WhatsApp is perfectly legal. To double check you can read WhatsApp’s Terms of Service here.
