In 2026, even the most reliable VPN may occasionally fail in China. This does NOT mean the service is broken — most of the time, it simply means: your server, IP, or protocol has been temporarily blocked by the Great Firewall (GFW).
Here are 5 clear signs your VPN is being blocked, plus practical solutions to restore access quickly.
Sign 1: Stuck on “Connecting…” for more than 20 seconds
This usually means:
- The server IP is blocked;
- The protocol has been detected;
- The connection port is being filtered.
Fix:
- Switch to a different region (Japan, Korea, Singapore);
- Switch protocol (TLS, WS, TCP/443);
- Restart the app.
Sign 2: Connected successfully, but foreign websites don’t load
This is a sign of DNS pollution or route blocking.
- Google won’t load;
- YouTube stuck;
- ChatGPT unreachable;
- Domestic websites work fine.
Fix:
- Enable built-in DNS (DoH/DoT);
- Disable ISP DNS;
- Use SmartDNS mode;
Sign 3: Slowdowns during 8–11 PM only
This means the network is congested AND the firewall is stricter during peak hours.
Fix:
- Switch nodes before peak time;
- Use low-latency Asia routes;
- Turn on obfuscation.
Sign 4: Works on 4G/5G but not on WiFi
Hotel and public WiFi often block encrypted protocols.
Fix:
- Use your phone’s hotspot;
- Enable WebSocket/TLS mode;
- Avoid public networks.
Sign 5: A previously stable server suddenly stops working
GFW frequently updates block lists. It’s normal for certain IPs to get blocked suddenly.
Fix:
- Switch to backup nodes;
- Try different protocols;
- Restart the connection.
Additional Sign: High packet loss
Symptoms:
- Webpages take 10+ seconds;
- Images load incompletely;
- Videos stuck at very low resolution.
Fix:
- Use load-balancing routes;
- Select Asia nodes;
- Enable smart routing.
How to reduce the chance of being blocked
- Use obfuscation;
- Don’t stick to one server for too long;
- Update server list frequently;
- Avoid free tools;
- Don’t leave idle connections running for hours.
Conclusion
If your VPN stops working in China, it usually means the IP or protocol was temporarily blocked. With the right strategies, you can restore access quickly. For consistent stability, Free VPN Rank offers strong obfuscation and China-optimized routing.
