A kill switch blocks your internet when the VPN disconnects, so your real IP is not exposed. Here is how to check that yours works.
Before you start
- Turn on the kill switch in your VPN app. It may be called Kill Switch, Network Lock or Lockdown mode.
- Run the VPN leak test with the VPN off and note your real IP.
Method 1: Kill the VPN process
- Connect the VPN and start a continuous activity, such as a video or a large download.
- Force-quit the VPN app (Task Manager on Windows, Activity Monitor on Mac).
- With a working kill switch, the internet stops. Reload the VPN checker: it should fail to load, or still show the VPN IP.
- If the page loads and shows your real IP, the kill switch did not work.
Method 2: Drop the network
- Connect the VPN.
- Turn Wi-Fi off for 10 seconds, then back on.
- While the VPN reconnects, keep reloading the VPN checker. Your real IP should never appear.
Method 3: Switch servers
Switch VPN servers several times while a page reloads. Brief gaps are fine, but your real IP should never show.
Test your torrent client too
If you torrent, add the torrent IP check test torrent and repeat Method 2. Your real IP should never appear in the results.
If the kill switch fails
- Update the VPN app and test again.
- Switch to the system-wide or “always on” kill switch, if your app has both types.
- On Android, turn on Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN in Settings > Network & internet > VPN.
- On iPhone, check your VPN’s settings for an “on demand” or kill switch option.