---
title: "The VPN won't connect"
description: "Potatso stays on Connecting…, goes back to Not Connected, or shows an error on iPhone or iPad? Find the cause and fix it step by step."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://potatso.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# The VPN won't connect

## What you see {#symptom}

You turn on the connection on the home screen, and Potatso:

- stays on **Connecting…**,
- goes back to **Not Connected**, or
- shows a **Failed to Switch VPN** alert with an error.

If the status shows **Connected** but nothing loads, see [Connected but no internet](/docs/troubleshooting/no-internet/) instead.

## Run the guided check {#check}

1. In Potatso, open **Settings** and tap **Troubleshooting**. From the **Failed to Switch VPN** alert, you can tap **Troubleshoot** instead.
2. Under **What's Going Wrong?**, tap **Can't Connect**.

Potatso checks four steps in order: **Network Connection**, **Configuration**, **VPN Connection** and **Potatso Tunnel**. It stops at the first one that fails, and shows what it found with buttons for the fixes. Tap **Run Again** to check again after a fix.

## Causes and fixes {#causes}

Potatso rules out causes in this order. The first one that matches is the one it shows.

### Your device is offline {#offline}

Web pages don't load even without the VPN, so the problem is your Wi-Fi or mobile data, not Potatso. Check your connection, then try again. **Open Settings** takes you to iOS Settings.

### No configuration, or no servers {#no-servers}

Potatso needs a configuration with at least one server. Tap **Import Subscription** or **Add Server**. See [Getting started](/docs/guides/getting-started/) and [Import subscriptions](/docs/guides/import-subscriptions/).

### No server is chosen {#no-server-chosen}

Rule mode sends traffic through the server you choose on the home screen, but none is chosen. Choose one on the home screen, or tap the **Switch to** button the check offers.

### VPN permission wasn't granted {#permission}

iOS needs your permission to add Potatso's VPN configuration. Connect again and tap **Allow** when iOS asks.

### Your configuration has an error {#invalid-configuration}

Potatso can't use your configuration, and the check shows the reason. If the configuration comes from a subscription, tap **Update Subscriptions** to get its current settings. Otherwise compare the server's settings with what your provider gave you. The [Protocols](/docs/protocols/) pages list the settings Potatso supports.

### The VPN configuration is broken {#broken-vpn-configuration}

Potatso's entry in iOS VPN settings is missing or damaged. Tap **Reset VPN Configuration**. iOS asks for permission again on the next connection.

### The VPN didn't connect, or stopped while connecting {#timed-out}

The connection didn't finish in time, or iOS stopped the VPN while it was connecting. When iOS gives a reason, the check shows it. Tap **Reset VPN Configuration**, then **Reconnect**.

### The VPN connects now {#connected-now}

The VPN connected without problems during the check, so the earlier failure was probably temporary. If pages still don't load, tap **Check Internet Access** to run the [no internet check](/docs/troubleshooting/no-internet/).

## Where the problem may be {#where}

When the cause isn't settled, the check also ranks where the problem may be: **Your Network**, **The Server or Provider**, **The Configuration** or **Potatso**. Each area is marked **Most Likely** or **Possible**, with the clues that point there. For example, a stop before the VPN finished connecting points at Potatso, and a configuration Potatso couldn't use points at the configuration. See [How Potatso ranks causes](/docs/troubleshooting/diagnostics-and-reports/#ranked-causes).

## If the VPN hangs {#hangs}

When the VPN seems stuck while connecting or disconnecting, Potatso may ask **Need Reset VPN?**. Tap **Reset VPN**, then connect again. You can also reset it any time from **Settings** > **Troubleshooting** > **Reset VPN Configuration**. Your profiles are kept.

## Contact support {#support}

After the check, Potatso asks **Did This Fix It?**. If it didn't, tap **No, Send Report**. Potatso opens an email to support with the check's results and a diagnostic report attached. For a full report, [run diagnostics](/docs/troubleshooting/diagnostics-and-reports/) first.

For questions or support, email [hi@potatso.com](mailto:hi@potatso.com).

Source: https://potatso.com/docs/troubleshooting/cannot-connect/index.mdx