How to check IP after changing network adapters
Check whether switching Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or a USB adapter changes what websites can see while your VPN is connected, and what to do if it does.
You switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet, plug in a USB network adapter, or use a dock, and your VPN reconnects. Now you want to know whether websites can still see your real IP address, or whether the change caused a leak.
First, separate a normal address change from a leak. Your local address, used inside your home or office network, can change when you switch adapters. Your public IP, which websites can see, may also change if the VPN reconnects to a different server. The VPN Leak Test checks whether your real IP leaks through IPv6 or WebRTC while the VPN is on.
Check IP behavior after switching adapters
- Open the VPN Leak Test while your usual network adapter is connected. Connect your VPN and wait until its app says the connection is established.
- Run the test and note whether it identifies a real IP leak through IPv6 or WebRTC. You do not need to post or share the address. This is your baseline, a result to compare against.
- Switch to the adapter you want to check. For example, move from Wi-Fi to Ethernet or connect a USB network adapter. Wait for the internet connection and VPN to settle before continuing.
- Run the same test again in the same browser. Compare the leak result, not just whether the displayed IP address changed. If you can, switch back to the original adapter and test once more.
For a fair comparison, keep the same VPN location and server if possible. If the VPN app chooses a different server after the adapter change, the public VPN address may change even when your real address remains protected.
What the result means
The public address changed, but no real IP leak was found
This can be normal. Your VPN may have reconnected to another server, or your provider may assign different public addresses to the same location. Compare the VPN location and server in its app. A changed address alone does not show that your real IP was exposed.
The test identifies your real IP through IPv6 or WebRTC
The browser is revealing an address that may identify your regular internet connection while the VPN is active. The adapter switch may have triggered a reconnection or exposed a route the VPN does not cover. Reconnect the VPN and test again. If the result persists, check the VPN's IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection settings or contact its support team.
The result changes between repeated tests
The VPN may be reconnecting, or the network may still be switching routes. A route is the path your device uses to reach the internet. Wait until the VPN app shows a stable connection, then run the test again. A leak that appears only briefly during a switch is still worth addressing, especially if you need protection during network changes.
The test finds no leak, but an app still behaves differently
The test checks what this browser can reveal through IPv6 and WebRTC. It does not verify every app or connection on your device. A work app, game, or other browser may use a different network path, so check that app separately and confirm whether your VPN protects traffic outside the browser.
How to fix a leak after changing adapters
- Reconnect the VPN. Disconnect and reconnect using the VPN app, then wait for its connected status before testing. Some VPNs do not restore the tunnel cleanly when the active adapter changes.
- Check which network is active. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › Advanced network settings and confirm the adapter you intend to use is connected. On macOS, open System Settings › Network and check the active Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB network service.
- Keep the VPN connected during the switch. If the VPN app has a setting that blocks internet access when the VPN disconnects, turn it on. It may be called a kill switch, but the name and behavior vary by provider. This can prevent traffic from leaving through an unprotected connection while the tunnel is down.
- Check the VPN's leak protection options. Look in the VPN app for IPv6 protection or WebRTC leak protection, if available. Do not turn off IPv6 across your whole computer as a first fix. That can disrupt other network services without fixing the cause.
- Close and reopen the browser. A browser can keep an old connection active briefly after a network change. Close its windows, reopen it after the VPN reconnects, and run the test again.
- Update or reinstall the VPN app. If the leak returns whenever you switch adapters, install the latest version from your provider. If it still happens, share the test conditions with the provider, including which adapters you switched between and whether the result involved IPv6 or WebRTC.
What this test can and cannot confirm
A VPN Leak Test checks the browser's exposure through the IPv6 and WebRTC paths it tests. It does not list your computer's network adapters, measure their connection quality, or prove that every app uses the VPN. A browser-based VPN extension may protect only browser traffic, while a full-device VPN app is intended to route more of the computer's traffic through its tunnel.
Run the test after the VPN has reconnected, and repeat it if you change adapters again. That gives you a clearer picture than relying on a single address change or the VPN icon alone.
