Check browser peer connections on a dual-band router

Your VPN appears connected, but you want to know whether your browser is still using your regular internet address for peer-to-peer connections. Or the result seems different on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. A browser test can help check for an IP leak, but it cannot measure Wi-Fi signal strength or tell you which band the router selected.

The VPN Leak Test checks whether your real IP address appears through IPv6 or WebRTC while your VPN is on. Run it on each band, keeping the browser, VPN settings, and other conditions as consistent as possible.

Check the browser on each Wi-Fi band

1. Connect your computer to one Wi-Fi band. If both bands use the same network name, check the router or your device's connection details to confirm which band is active. The browser test cannot identify the band for you.
2. Connect your VPN and wait for it to show that the connection is active. If your VPN has split tunneling, check whether your browser is included in the VPN route.
3. Open the VPN Leak Test in the browser you want to check. Review its findings for IPv6 or WebRTC exposure while the VPN is connected.
4. Note which Wi-Fi band you used and whether the test reports your real IP address. Do not assume that a different IP by itself means the VPN is leaking. VPN servers can assign different exit addresses.
5. Switch to the other band, reconnect to the VPN if needed, and run the test again in the same browser. Keep VPN settings unchanged so the two results are easier to compare.
6. If one result differs, repeat the test once after reconnecting to that band. A short-lived VPN reconnect or browser change can affect a single reading.

Many routers combine both bands under one network name and move devices between them automatically. To compare bands reliably, use separate band names in the router settings if that option is available, or check the connected frequency in the router's device list. The exact controls depend on the router model.

What the result means

No real IP exposure is reported on either band

The test did not find your real IP address through the IPv6 or WebRTC checks it performs. That is a useful check of this browser with this VPN connection, but it does not prove that every app on the computer uses the VPN. It also does not test DNS leaks, every website, or every network condition.

Your real IP appears through WebRTC

WebRTC is a browser feature used for direct connections in services such as voice or video calls. It gathers possible network paths, called candidates, so two devices can connect. If the test reports your real IP while the VPN is active, the browser may be able to use a route that does not go through the VPN, or the VPN may not cover WebRTC traffic in this setup. Check VPN settings and repeat the test before drawing a conclusion.

Your real IP appears through IPv6

Your network may have an IPv6 route that the VPN does not tunnel or block. This is a VPN routing or protection issue, not evidence that one Wi-Fi band is inherently unsafe. Check whether the VPN supports IPv6 leak protection, then test again on both bands.

The result differs between bands

A Wi-Fi band normally connects your device to the same router and internet service. It does not, on its own, decide whether the VPN handles IPv6 or WebRTC correctly. A difference can point to a changed VPN connection, a band-specific network setting, or a temporary test variation. Confirm the active band and VPN status, then repeat both tests.

How to fix an unexpected result

1. Reconnect the VPN. Disconnect it, wait a few seconds, then connect again. Make sure the app reports an active connection before you rerun the browser test.
2. Check split tunneling. If the VPN lets you exclude selected apps, make sure the browser is not excluded. Setting names differ by VPN, so look for options such as split tunneling, app routing, or excluded apps.
3. Check the VPN's IPv6 protection. Turn on its IPv6 leak protection if available, or contact the VPN provider for its recommended configuration. Do not rely on turning IPv6 off in the operating system as a universal fix, since that can disrupt network features.
4. Check which Wi-Fi network is active. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi and confirm the connected network. On macOS, open System Settings › Wi-Fi. If the router uses one name for both bands, check the router's connected-device details or give the bands separate names using its own settings.
5. Turn off other VPN or proxy connections temporarily. A second VPN, proxy, or security app can change how the browser routes traffic. Change one setting at a time and rerun the test, then restore any setting you need.
6. Update the browser and VPN app. Install available updates, restart the browser, reconnect the VPN, and test again. If only one browser reports exposure, compare its privacy or WebRTC settings with another browser before changing system-wide network settings.
7. Contact the VPN provider if the result persists. Share the browser name, operating system, active Wi-Fi band, and the type of exposure reported. Avoid sending screenshots that reveal your public IP unless the provider specifically needs them and you are comfortable sharing them.

What this test cannot tell you

The VPN Leak Test checks IP exposure through IPv6 and WebRTC while the VPN is on. It does not measure the quality of the peer connection, call delay, Wi-Fi signal strength, or the router's band selection. A call can stutter because of weak Wi-Fi or congestion even when no IP leak is found. Conversely, strong Wi-Fi does not guarantee that the VPN covers every browser route.

For a band comparison, keep the same device, browser, VPN server, and location, and change only the Wi-Fi band where possible. If the test reports the same kind of exposure on both bands, investigate the VPN or browser configuration before changing the router.