A VPN kill switch blocks internet traffic if your VPN connection drops, helping stop your device from switching to its ordinary internet connection without the VPN. Turn it on if preventing that fallback matters more to you than staying online without interruption. When it activates, you may lose internet access until the VPN reconnects or you turn off the protection.
What a VPN kill switch does
A VPN creates an encrypted connection, or tunnel, between your device and a VPN server. If that connection drops, a device might otherwise continue sending traffic through its regular internet connection. A kill switch responds by blocking traffic while the VPN is disconnected, helping prevent your ordinary IP address and DNS activity from being exposed through that fallback. Proton VPN describes this behavior in its kill switch support documentation.
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The kill switch is a blocking rule, not a backup VPN connection. It does not keep you online by itself: if the tunnel is down, the protection can make the device appear offline until the connection returns or you disable the block.
Should you turn it on?
Enable a kill switch if you would rather lose internet access briefly than let apps continue over your ordinary connection after a VPN drop. This can be especially relevant when you rely on the VPN to keep your traffic from using that connection.
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If you prioritize uninterrupted access or often disconnect the VPN intentionally, check exactly what the selected mode does. A standard mode may respond to an unexpected drop but allow regular internet access after you deliberately disconnect. An advanced or always-on mode may block access whenever the VPN is off, including after an intentional disconnect. Names and behavior vary by provider and platform.
A kill switch reduces the chance of traffic falling back to the ordinary connection; it does not make all activity anonymous or guarantee that every request is protected in every situation. Check the current app’s documentation for the operating system and version you use.
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How kill switch modes can differ
Standard protection after an unexpected drop
A standard kill switch typically blocks traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. Whether it also blocks traffic when you choose to disconnect is product-specific. If you turn the VPN off on purpose and want ordinary internet access, confirm how your app treats that action.
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An advanced mode can restrict internet access to times when the VPN is connected. Proton VPN says its advanced kill switch is available on Windows, Linux GUI, and iOS/iPadOS beta, and that it persists through a device restart. Its support documentation also says split tunneling must be disabled to use its kill switch. These details describe Proton’s documented behavior, not a universal feature set; check the instructions for your own app and edition.
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What changes by device and VPN app?
A setting called “kill switch” does not necessarily cover the same traffic on every platform. It may block the whole device, close only selected apps, or behave differently after a disconnect or restart. The following examples are provider documentation, not independent tests or a guarantee for every app version.
| Provider and platform | Documented behavior | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN: Windows, Linux GUI, iOS/iPadOS beta | Proton lists its advanced kill switch on these platforms; it allows internet access only while connected and persists through restart. | Confirm whether the feature is available in your current app and whether split tunneling is disabled. |
| Proton VPN: macOS | Proton notes a brief potential real-IP exposure during server changes and says some DNS requests from Apple services can bypass the VPN. | Do not treat the feature label as proof that every request is always routed through the VPN. |
| NordVPN: Windows | NordVPN documents an internet kill switch that cuts internet access when the VPN disconnects, separate from an app kill switch that closes selected programs. | Choose whether you need device-wide internet blocking or closure of particular apps; these are different controls. |
| NordVPN: Android 8.0 or later | NordVPN describes system-wide blocking when no VPN is connected. | Verify the Android version and the behavior in the app version you installed. |
| NordVPN: iOS and macOS | NordVPN’s support page distinguishes behavior on these platforms from its Windows and Android implementations. | Consult the current platform-specific instructions rather than assuming the Windows control applies. |
Sources: Proton VPN support and NordVPN support. Provider descriptions can change; verify the setting in your current app.
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What to do if your internet stops working
- Check whether the VPN is connected. If it has dropped, the kill switch may be blocking traffic as intended.
- Reconnect to the VPN. If the tunnel comes back, internet access should resume according to your app’s behavior.
- Review the mode and app-specific controls. An advanced or always-on option may continue blocking access after an intentional disconnect. A separate app kill switch may close selected programs rather than block the whole device.
- Disable protection only if you accept the fallback. Turning it off can restore ordinary internet access, but traffic may then use your non-VPN connection.
Before relying on the setting
- Confirm whether the control blocks all device traffic or only selected apps.
- Check whether it activates after an accidental drop, an intentional disconnect, or a restart.
- Find out whether the VPN reconnects automatically, or whether you must reconnect it yourself.
- Read platform-specific caveats and confirm any requirements, such as Proton VPN’s split-tunneling restriction.
- Test your app’s behavior in a situation where a brief loss of internet access is acceptable, rather than assuming the setting works identically across devices.
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