Office VPN reconnects every hour: what to inspect

Your office VPN disconnects and reconnects at almost the same time every hour, even while you are working. That timing can point to a session rule, but a brief network dropout or a problem with the VPN client can look similar.

Use the Connection Stability test to check for lost requests and changes in response time while the VPN is connected. Then compare what happens around a reconnect, without changing company security settings.

Check the connection around a reconnect

1. Open Connection Stability while the VPN is connected. Run the test for a few minutes during your normal work, and note the time, response time, jitter, and any lost requests or dropouts.
2. Write down the exact time the VPN disconnects and reconnects. Note whether Wi-Fi or Ethernet also disconnects, whether you see an error, and whether the VPN reconnects by itself.
3. Repeat the stability test close to the next expected reconnect. The test runs for a few minutes, so it cannot monitor an entire hour in one run. Repeat it near the time the issue usually happens.
4. If your company policy allows it, compare a test with the VPN disconnected. Do this only when you are not handling work that must go through the VPN. Do not access company resources or sensitive work outside the approved connection.

A browser test can show whether the connection used by your browser is dropping or becoming erratic. It cannot identify the VPN server's settings or prove exactly why the VPN client reconnects. If your company uses split tunneling, some browser traffic may not go through the VPN, so tell IT how you tested.

What the result means

The test shows lost requests or dropouts

Your browser's connection is being interrupted during the test. If Wi-Fi or Ethernet drops at the same time, start by checking the local network. If the local connection stays up, the problem could still be the router, internet connection, VPN route, or office gateway. The test alone cannot tell which one.

The connection looks steady, but the VPN still reconnects hourly

A repeating interval with no obvious browser connection problems makes a session timeout or scheduled reauthentication more plausible. An office VPN may require a fresh login after a set period. Ask IT whether the reconnect is expected, and whether it affects other employees.

The VPN and local network both disconnect

The VPN may be reconnecting because the device temporarily loses its underlying network connection. Check whether the same thing happens on another approved network, such as Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, if your workplace permits that test.

Only the VPN disconnects, and you see an error

Save the exact error text and the time it appeared. The VPN client, its sign-in process, or the office gateway may be involved. Share the details with your IT team rather than changing connection protocols or security options yourself.

What to check next

1. Check whether the local connection drops. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet and check whether Wi-Fi or Ethernet still shows as connected. On a Mac, open System Settings › Wi-Fi, or check the Ethernet connection under Network. A connected status does not rule out a brief interruption, so compare it with the time of the VPN reconnect.
2. Check the Wi-Fi or cable path. If the VPN reconnects when Wi-Fi drops, move closer to the access point or try Ethernet if that is allowed. For a wired connection, reseat the cable and try an approved alternate port. Do not make changes to shared office network equipment without permission.
3. Restart the approved VPN client. Save your work, close and reopen the client using your organization's normal instructions, and check whether it reports an update or sign-in prompt. Avoid downloading a replacement client from an unofficial source.
4. Check for sleep or power interruptions. This is more relevant if the disconnect happens after the computer has been idle. On Windows 11, check Settings › System › Power & battery. On macOS, check System Settings › Lock Screen and the available battery or power options. Follow workplace rules before changing managed settings.
5. Give IT a useful timeline. Report the reconnect times, error text, whether Wi-Fi or Ethernet dropped, your connection type, the VPN client version if visible, and the stability test results. Ask whether an hourly session limit or reauthentication policy is configured.

Why the hourly pattern matters

A reconnect that happens at nearly the same interval each time is a useful clue. VPN services can enforce a maximum session duration, require users to sign in again, or refresh a connection on a schedule. Those are administrator-controlled behaviors, and they can be intentional security measures.

Brief network interruptions can also trigger a reconnect, even if the rest of your work appears unaffected. A few minutes of stable results do not rule out a dropout later in the hour. Repeat the test near the usual failure time and share the timestamps with IT. Don't try to bypass a reconnect rule by changing VPN protocols, disabling security tools, or using an unapproved connection.