Blog

How to inspect browser traffic after a VPN update

Check whether your browser is still using the VPN after an app update, spot IPv6 or WebRTC leaks, and learn what a browser test cannot verify.

Kevin DoyleHardware tests Tests 4 min read

A VPN app update can change connection settings, permissions, or how the VPN handles your browser. If you want to know whether your browser still appears to be using the VPN, check it before relying on the updated app.

The VPN Leak Test checks whether your real IP address is exposed through IPv6 or WebRTC, a browser feature used for live audio and video connections. It is a targeted leak check, not a complete log of every browser request.

Check the browser with the VPN connected

  1. Open the VPN Leak Test in the same browser where you browse, and leave the VPN connected.
  2. Wait for the test to finish and review the IP information and any IPv6 or WebRTC leak findings. Do not post your IP address publicly.
  3. Check whether the displayed address appears to belong to the VPN connection rather than your usual internet provider. A different location or provider can be a clue, but it is not proof on its own.
  4. If you need a comparison, note the result, disconnect the VPN briefly, and run the test again. The unprotected result can show what address the VPN should be hiding. Reconnect the VPN and test once more.
  5. Repeat the check in the browser profile you actually use. A browser extension, split-tunnel rule, or separate profile can make results differ.

If you use a VPN browser extension rather than a full VPN app, check the extension's connection too. The app and extension may route traffic differently. See how to check whether a browser-only VPN extension is working.

What the result means

The test shows the VPN address and no real IP leak

This is a good sign for the browser and connection you tested. It means the test did not find your real IP through the IPv6 or WebRTC checks. It does not prove that every website request, app, or browser profile uses the VPN, so test the setup you will actually use.

Your internet provider's address appears through IPv6 or WebRTC

The browser exposed an address that may identify your ordinary connection, even though the VPN is connected. This can happen if the VPN does not tunnel IPv6, if the browser is using a path outside the tunnel, or if the VPN app update changed a setting. Follow the fixes below, then run the test again.

The result is unclear or the test does not complete

A blocked request, browser privacy feature, network filter, or interrupted VPN connection can prevent a clear result. This does not automatically mean that your IP is leaking. Try another browser or a different network, and compare results before drawing a conclusion.

How to fix a leak after the update

  1. Reconnect the VPN. Disconnect from the VPN, wait a few seconds, and connect again. Confirm that the app says it is connected before you rerun the browser test.
  2. Check that the browser is not excluded. VPN apps may have split tunneling, which lets selected apps bypass the VPN. Open the VPN app and check its split-tunnel or app-exclusion settings. Make sure your browser is not on an excluded list.
  3. Review the VPN's leak protection settings. If the app offers IPv6 protection, DNS protection, or a kill switch, check whether the update changed those options. Use the app's help instructions for your version, since names and controls vary.
  4. Check the system VPN connection. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › VPN and confirm the connection status if you use a Windows-managed VPN. On macOS, open System Settings › VPN to review a system-managed connection. A VPN app may manage its connection only inside its own window, so also check there.
  5. Check the phone's VPN status if you browse on mobile. On Android, open Settings › Network & internet › VPN. On iPhone, open Settings › General › VPN & Device Management. Menu names can vary by phone and OS version, and the VPN app may have its own connection controls.
  6. Restart the browser and VPN app. Quit both completely, reopen the VPN first, connect, then reopen the browser. This can clear a stale connection left behind during the update.
  7. Reinstall or contact the VPN provider. If the leak remains in multiple browsers, check for another app update or follow the provider's reinstall instructions. Share the test result with support privately, and avoid posting your real IP in a public forum.

What this browser test cannot inspect

The VPN Leak Test checks for real IP exposure through IPv6 or WebRTC. It does not capture all browser traffic, verify every website's route, or test every app on your device. It also cannot prove that a VPN provider keeps no logs. If the test passes but one site or app still behaves differently, check that app's VPN routing or proxy settings separately.

For a reliable comparison, keep the browser, network, and VPN server the same when you retest after changing a setting.

More articles