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Unable to Connect on Windows?

If CyberGhost VPN cannot establish a connection, several factors may be responsible. This guide covers common causes and troubleshooting steps that may help resolve the issue. 

After each step, check whether the issue remains.

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Change the Automatic Protocol Selection Option

Try Different Server Locations

Change MTU Size Options

Repair CyberGhost VPN’s Virtual Network Card

Restart Your Device

Reinstall the CyberGhost VPN App

Reboot Your Router or Modem

Temporarily Disable Apps That May Interfere

Disable IPv6 Support

Reset Your Device’s Network Settings

Tweak Security or Parental Settings on Your Router

Change the Automatic Protocol Selection Option

By default, CyberGhost VPN automatically picks the most optimal VPN protocol. To change this:

  1. Click the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the main connection window. The Settings cog icon is highlighted.

  2. Click Automatic selection to open the dropdown menu.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the Settings page on Windows. The "Automatic selection" dropdown menu is highlighted.

  3. Select a different VPN protocol. On Windows, CyberGhost VPN supports WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the Settings page on Windows. The available protocol options are highlighted.

Try Different Server Locations

Some server locations may offer a more stable connection than others. To change server locations: 

  1. Click the server location widget.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the main connection window. The server location widget is highlighted.

  2. Select More servers….

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the main connection window. The server location widget is expanded and the "More servers..." option is highlighted.

  3. Choose your desired server location and click the power button to connect.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing a list of available server locations. Several locations and the power button are highlighted.

Change MTU Size Options

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) is a VPN setting that may help improve connection performance. To fix connectivity issues, we recommend setting the MTU size to the Small value. To do so:

  1. Click the gear icon to access the Settings menu.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface on Windows, showing the main connection window. The Settings cog icon is highlighted.

  2. Under MTU size, click Default to open the dropdown menu.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface, showing the Settings menu on Windows. The "Default" dropdown menu is highlighted.

  3. Select Small.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface, showing the Settings menu on Windows. The MTU size dropdown menu is expanded and the "Small" value is highlighted.

Repair CyberGhost VPN’s Virtual Network Card

Conflicts with other software can disable or damage CyberGhost VPN’s virtual network card. To repair it:

  1. Navigate to Settings by clicking the gear icon.

    Unable-to-connect-on-Windows-10.png

  2. Click Repair virtual network card.

    Unable-to-connect-on-Windows-11.png

  3. The process normally takes a few seconds. If successful, you will see a green checkmark and a message saying Done.

    CyberGhost VPN app interface, showing the Settings menu on Windows. The "Done" message is highlighted.

Restart Your Device

Restarting your device may sometimes help resolve issues. Press the Start button, followed by the Power button. Then click Restart.

Restarting device on Windows 11


Reinstall the CyberGhost VPN App

Uninstall CyberGhost, reboot your device, and install it again. Then try connecting to a server again. 

Note: To uninstall an app on Windows, press Start, type Add or Remove Programs, and click Add or remove programs. Find CyberGhost on the list of installed apps, click … and click Uninstall.

For help on installing CyberGhost again, read our Windows app installation guide. 

Reboot Your Router or Modem

Unplug your router or modem, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This refreshes the network and may help resolve some connectivity issues. 

Temporarily Disable Apps That May Interfere

Certain apps that gain control over the network, like a firewall or antivirus, may interfere with CyberGhost VPN’s connection. Temporarily turn off such programs and see if this resolves the issue. If it does, add CyberGhost VPN to the program’s allowlist to avoid further conflicts. 

Disable IPv6 Support

CyberGhost VPN doesn’t currently support IPv6 traffic, so enabling IPv6 on your network may lead to connectivity issues. For help, read our guide on disabling IPv6 on Windows. 

Reset Your Device’s Network Settings

Open the Command Prompt and run the following commands one by one:

  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /flushdns
  • ipconfig /renew
  • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh interface ipv4 reset
  • netsh interface ipv6 reset
  • netsh winsock reset catalog
  • netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log
  • netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log

Restart your computer and check if the issue persists. 

Tweak Security or Parental Settings on Your Router

Some ISPs (internet service providers) equip their routers with certain security or parental control features that may interfere with CyberGhost VPN’s connections. To modify or turn off such features, log in to your router’s dashboard, navigate to a tab that mentions “security,” and see if there are any security or parental controls enabled.

Need assistance? Contact our Customer Support team:

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