Will Firefox not work with VPN? Here’s how to fix it in 6 simple steps

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  • Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular web browsers available today.
  • If you have problems with Firefox when connected to a VPN, the following solutions should help you.
  • For more information on troubleshooting Firefox, see our full Mozilla Firefox page.
  • Using a VPN for the first time can be intimidating. To help you, we have created the VPN Guides Section.

In the browser race, you will need to be original for Chrome to remain the leading solution. Mozilla made a lot of positive changes with the fast version Quantum, but it seems like there are some VPN-related issues that cropped up thereafter. Certain users have had difficulty using Mozilla Firefox while VPN is enabled.

For that reason, we provide a few steps that should help you address this. In case none of the solutions help you, we recommend that you submit a ticket to your VPN provider. In the meantime, check out the steps we provide below.

Contents index

  • How to address the most common VPN problems in Mozilla Firefox
    • Try private internet access
    • Private internet access
    • Check connection settings
    • Clear the browser cache
    • Update Mozilla and VPN
    • Inspect antivirus and firewall
    • Change VPN servers
    • Remove the adware
    • Clean reinstall Mozilla Firefox
    • FAQ: Firefox VPN problems

How to address the most common VPN problems in Mozilla Firefox

  1. Change your VPN provider
  2. Check connection settings
  3. Clear browser cache
  4. Update Mozilla and VPN
  5. Inspect antivirus and firewall
  6. Change VPN servers
  7. Remove adware
  8. Clean reinstall Mozilla Firefox

1. Try private internet access

Private Internet Access is the go-to VPN when you want to remain anonymous on the web. If your current Firefox VPN client is having trouble, it might be time to switch to one that is compatible with most major browsers and platforms. Additionally, PIA has a team of friendly support staff always available to help with any issues.

That said, you probably won’t need their help as PIA has been thoroughly tested and there are no compatibility issues between it and Mozilla Firefox.

By using PIA, you can encrypt your data to ensure that it cannot be read if it is intercepted. Furthermore, you can privately browse the web by installing the Firefox extension, or if you are on mobile, your dedicated private browser.

Also, you can configure your PIA client so that certain applications always work only in VPN mode. This can be easily done from the settings and gives you per-app control over when you want the VPN to be active. This feature is something that most other VPN clients lack and it means you set it up once and forget about it.

Here are some other PIA features that may interest you:

  • 30 day money back guarantee
  • Protection for 10 devices at a time
  • More than 3300 servers in more than 45 countries.
  • SOCKS5 proxy protocol
  • Multiple VPN protocols, including WireGuard, PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP / IPSec
  • Military grade encryption
  • Support for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • Firefox, Opera and Chrome extensions

Private internet access

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1. Check connection settings

Before we move on to a more internal approach to the problem, let’s make sure that the connection is not the one that spoils the Firefox experience. The obvious first step is to try an alternative browser in combination with your VPN and see it for yourself. Also, if your Firefox VPN extension is having trouble, try removing and adding it again.

In case everything works fine and the Firefox + VPN combo doesn’t work properly, continue with the steps below. On the other hand, if you can confirm that the Internet is completely off, follow these instructions to fix it:

  1. Restart the PC.
  2. Restart your router and / or modem.
  3. Use a wired connection. It is much more stable.
  4. Check the network drivers. Go to Device Manager and check if they are installed correctly.
  5. Run the Windows Troubleshooter:
    1. Right-click Start and open Settings .
    2. Open update and security .
    3. Select Troubleshoot in the left pane.
    4. Select Internet Connections  and click the button » Run the troubleshooter «.
  6. Reset IP address with command prompt:
    1. Type cmd in the search bar, right-click Command Prompt,  and run it as administrator.
    2. On the command line, copy and paste the following lines one by one and press Enter after each one:
      • netsh winsock reset
      • netsh int ip reset
      • ipconfig / release
      • ipconfig / renew

On the contrary, if everything is as planned and the Internet connection is not to be blamed for the Firefox / VPN conundrums, continue with the steps below.

However, we would like to mention that, in most cases, the browser is not to blame – VPN compatibility may be the problem as well.

 

2. Clear the browser cache

No matter how much it affects overall speed and slows page load time, the browser cache can cause a host of problems. That’s reason enough to clean it up and start from scratch. We can’t say for sure whether or not it’s causing the problems with VPN, but it is one of those common troubleshooting steps.

If you are not sure how to clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox, be sure to follow the steps below:

  1. Open Firefox .
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to access the Clear Recent History dialog .
  3. In the Time range to clear drop-down menu , select All .
  4. Make sure to check the Cache box . It is up to you whether you want to delete the rest or not.
  5. Click Clear Now .

If you’re still looking at the same blank screen, take a look at the next step.

3. Update Mozilla and VPN

Mozilla decided to take their game to another level and changed a lot with the introduction of Firefox Quantum. However, not all VPN solutions (the ones with browser extensions) are compatible with Firefox Quantum.

Also, as you read these lines, your respective developers are probably working on optimizing the new navigation solution. So, make sure both your VPN and Firefox are up to date.

Mozilla Firefox updates automatically, and that is also the case for any browser extensions you have active, but you should verify that everything is up to date if your Firefox VPN is having problems.If you don’t know how to update Mozilla Firefox, these steps should provide proper insight :

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox
  2. Click on the hamburger  menu  and click on Help
  3. Click About Firefox
  4. If it is not up to date, the system will update Firefox to its latest version

Also, you can test and run Firefox in safe mode, no add-ons included. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Firefox .
  2. Click on the hamburger  menu  and then on Help.
  3. Click Restart with Plugins Disabled

Mozilla renews Firefox with the Quantum update

4. Inspect antivirus and firewall

Antivirus solutions that come with dedicated firewalls can be a nice addition to security. On the other hand, some of them are remarkably strict and notorious for blocking apps that should be the default strap. That is work done with excess enthusiasm. What you can do to get over that wall (no pun intended) is to disable the firewall temporarily (or permanently if you’re happy with the Windows Firewall) or whitelist the VPN and Firefox.

Also, on the rarest of occasions (and especially after security updates), Windows Firewall can behave in the same way as a third-party firewall. Although most VPN solutions can by default communicate through the native Windows firewall, there is always an exception.

If you are not sure how to create an exception in Windows Firewall, just follow the steps below:

  1. Type Firewall in the search bar and select  Allow an app through Windows Firewall
  2. Click Change settings
  3. Select Allow another app
  4. Navigate to the VPN EXE file
  5. Click Add
  6. Allow the VPN to communicate over public and private networks .
  7. Right – click on OK to confirm the changes.

What to do when antivirus blocks the VPN

5. Change VPN servers

Making the best of your VPN requires stable servers with multiple locations. The best cases are when they come in numbers, so you can choose the right one. Occasionally, you will have to switch between servers, especially if they are down or too slow.

The further away the server is, the higher the latency and the slower the connection. However, there is also, as we mentioned, the possibility that the servers will crash or be temporarily unavailable.

In other words, there is a possibility that the faulty server is working against you. So be sure to test multiple servers and give it another try.

Also, it’s just a side note, but you can try changing the encryption protocols and looking for changes.

6. Remove the adware

The dangers of Adware infections and browser hijackers are quite present today. At best, you can expect your pop-up package or your default search engine to be modified. In the worst case, you will see the browser malfunction and the most serious malware spread throughout the system.

We are always in favor of a safer than regrettable approach when it comes to dealing with malware, which is why it is recommended to use a specific third-party tool and scan your PC.

There are a wide variety of antivirus solutions that offer browser protection and Adware removal, but in our honest opinion, nothing works better than Malwarebytes AdwCleaner for Adware and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs).

Below are instructions on how to download and use this nifty tool:

  1. Download Malwarebytes AdwCleaner , here
  2. Run the application and click Scan .
  3. Delete everything, even a little suspicious one, and restart your PC.
  4. Try running Mozilla Firefox again.

Foxiebro malware: how it works and how to remove it

7. Clean reinstall Mozilla Firefox

Finally, if none of the above solutions helped you solve the problem with Firefox and VPN, you can always clean, reinstall Mozilla and VPN. The latter shouldn’t change much, but many users found reinstalling Firefox as the cure for pain. If you’re not sure how to perform a clean reinstall of Mozilla Firefox, these steps should help you substantially:

  1. Close Firefox .
  2. In the Windows search bar, type Control and open the Control Panel .
  3. In Category view , select Uninstall a program .
  4. Uninstall Firefox .
  5. Navigate to these locations and delete the Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla folders respectively:
    • C:> Program Files> Mozilla Firefox or C:> Program Files (x86)> Mozilla Firefox
    • C:> Users> Your username> Application data> Local> Mozilla
  6. Download the latest available version of Firefox, here .

That should wrap it up. In case you have any workarounds or questions about the solutions we offer, feel free to post them below. The comment section is just a few scrolls down.

FAQ: Firefox VPN problems

  • How do I enable VPN in Firefox?

If you have a desktop VPN client, it will work independently of Firefox. You can connect to a server before starting the browser. If you opt for the VPN browser extension then you should be able to see if it is active from the icon.

  • Has Firefox built in a VPN?

By default, no. Firefox doesn’t ship with a VPN, however Mozilla does have its own VPN, which is currently only available in the US That said, you can download a VPN browser extension like the one offered by PIA and use it with Firefox.

  • Is Firefox VPN free?

No. Firefox Private Network is only available in the US and it is not free.

 

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by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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