How To Turn Off a VPN on Any Device

A VPN is essential for enhancing online privacy and security. However, there are situations where it is necessary to turn off a VPN. For example, a VPN may prevent you from accessing local content on apps like Netflix. Similarly, it is advisable to disable the VPN when you’re troubleshooting network issues. 

Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of technical knowledge to temporarily disable a VPN on any device. Similarly, many users worry about what will happen if they disconnect their VPN. Such concerns can be overwhelming, which is why we are here to help. 

This article teaches you how to turn off a VPN on different devices. You will also learn about different situations where you may need to disable a VPN. We will also discuss what happens when you disconnect a VPN and why it is best to keep it on. 

When You Might Want to Turn Off a VPN?

You should turn off your VPN in situations like troubleshooting network problems, traveling to a new country, setting up a new connection, and more. Let’s take a look at some common situations in which disabling a VPN makes sense:

• Traveling to a Country Where VPNs Are Illegal: If you're traveling to a country where VPNs are illegal, it's recommended to turn off your VPN to avoid legal trouble. Examples of countries where VPNs are banned include North Korea, Iraq, and Myanmar.
• Troubleshooting Network Issues: Sometimes, network problems can be resolved by temporarily disabling your VPN. This can let you diagnose connectivity issues more accurately. 
• When Setting Up Your Internet Connection for the First Time: A VPN connection can sometimes interfere with your Internet settings. When setting up an Internet connection for the first time, disconnecting your VPN can help avoid potential conflicts and make the process smoother.
• Streaming Local Content and Sites: To enjoy buffer-free streaming on services available in your region, you may want to turn off your VPN. That is because VPNs can reduce your Internet speeds, resulting in longer loading times.
• Accessing Local Area Networks (LAN): Disabling a VPN is sometimes necessary for seamless connectivity to local network resources, such as printers or file servers.
• When Playing Online Games: Online games usually perform better with a direct connection. You can temporarily disable your VPN, reducing latency and improving your gaming experience.

What Happens If You Turn Off Your VPN?

Turning off your VPN exposes your Web traffic to your ISP, spying agencies, and other prying eyes. With the encryption removed, hackers can easily intercept and misuse your data. This is especially true for public networks that are less secure. 

Let’s look at the various risks of turning off a VPN.

• Exposed Data: Without encryption, your online data, including browsing habits, IP address, and personal information, becomes visible to your ISP and hackers. This increases the risks of data leaks, identity theft, and DDoS attacks.
• Data Tracking: Advertisers and websites can track your online movements more easily, leading to targeted advertising and reduced privacy.
• Potential Malware Risks: Some VPNs have built-in malware protection features, which help block malicious sites and downloads. If you turn off a VPN permanently or temporarily, these features will no longer be active. 
• Geo-Restrictions: If you disconnect from a VPN, your access to region-specific content may be restricted. For example, you may be unable to watch Netflix shows available in regions other than your own.
• Content Censorship: In some regions, governments censor online content. Without a VPN, you might be unable to access certain websites and information.

How to Disable a VPN on Your Devices

You can disable a VPN on your devices by navigating to your device’s network settings and switching off the VPN. Let's learn how to do it on various devices like your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, Chromebook, Firestick, router, and more.

How to Turn Off a VPN on iPhone & iPad

You can turn off a VPN from the settings on your iPhone and iPad. This method will work on the latest iPhone 15 and earlier models, including iPhone 11, 12, 13, and 14. Here’s how you can turn off a VPN on iPad and iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on “VPN.”
3. Choose your currently active VPN connection.
4. Toggle off the switch in front of “VPN Status.”
5. If the VPN status says “Not Connected,” your VPN is turned off.

How to Turn Off a VPN on Mac

You can turn off a VPN on a Mac by disconnecting it via your device’s network settings. Follow the steps below:

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Go to System Settings.
3. Click on “VPN”.
4. Toggle off the VPN.

How to Turn Off a VPN on Android

To turn off a VPN on Android, you need to toggle it off from the device settings. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings on your device.
2. Scroll to “Network & Internet” and tap on it.
3. Tap on “VPN.”
4. Select your active VPN connection.
5. Toggle off to disconnect the VPN.

How to Turn Off a VPN on Windows

It is easy to turn off a VPN on Windows. All you have to do is visit the Settings app and turn it off from there. Here’s how you can do it:   

1. Hit the Windows button and type “Settings” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Settings.”
3. Click on “Network & Internet.”
4. Choose the “VPN” option.
5. Select the VPN connection.
6. Click on “Disconnect.”

How to Turn Off a VPN on Chromebook

To turn off a VPN on your Chromebook, head to the settings and find the VPN options under the network tab. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Open your device Settings.
2. Under “Network,” click on “VPN.”
3. Choose the VPN to disconnect.
4. Click on “Disconnect.”

How to Turn Off a VPN on Firestick

You can turn off a VPN on Firestick by disabling your VPN app from the settings. Follow these steps to disable a VPN on Firestick:

1. Go to the device Settings.
2. Select “Applications.”
3. Choose “Manage Installed Applications.”
4. Find your VPN app.
5. Select the “Disable” option.

How to Turn Off a VPN on Roku TV

To turn off a VPN on Roku TV, you will have to uninstall it from your router (in case you have it installed). That is because Roku does not support VPNs, and one method to use a VPN with Roku TV is to install it on a router. 

To learn how to turn off a VPN on a router, take a look at the next section.

How to Turn Off a VPN on a Router

Disabling your VPN on a router will turn off the VPN on all devices that are connected to the router. Here are the general steps that you can follow to turn off a VPN on a router:

1. Log into the router’s admin page.
2. Open the settings.
3. Find your VPN connection (generally, under “Security” or “Advanced”).
4. Select “Disable” or “Turn Off.”

Why Should You Keep Your VPN On?

You should keep your VPN on because it offers many benefits, such as securing your Internet connection, enhancing privacy, access to geo-blocked services, and more. However, only the top VPN providers offer such features.

While there are situations when you may need to disable a VPN, it is essential to know about the benefits of keeping it on. These benefits include:

• Access Geo-Blocked Services: VPNs allow you to bypass geographical restrictions, giving you access to content and services unavailable in your region.
• Browse Home Sites While Traveling: By turning on a VPN, you can maintain access to websites and services from your home country, even when you're abroad.
• Connect Safely on Public Wi-Fi: Public networks are notorious for security vulnerabilities. A VPN encrypts your data, keeping it safe from hackers.
• Bypass Censorship: In countries with restricted Internet access, a VPN can be a gateway to the free Web, bypassing government censorship.
• Bypass Bandwidth Throttling: ISPs sometimes slow down your Internet speed due to network congestion. A VPN can prevent this throttling, ensuring consistent speeds.
• Hide Your Browsing Activity: A VPN hides your online activities from ISPs, governments, and potential hackers. This way, you can enhance your privacy on the Web. 
• Hide Your IP Address: VPNs mask your IP address and temporarily switch it to another IP address from a different location. This makes you anonymous on the Internet. 
• Bypass School/Office Restrictions: Since VPNs make your Web traffic unreadable, you can overcome Internet restrictions at your school or workplace and enjoy full access to the Web.
• Secure Torrent Downloads: VPNs provide a secure environment for downloading torrents, protecting you from legal and security risks.
• Get Better Gaming Experience: In some situations, VPNs can improve your gaming experience by reducing lag, especially if your ISP is throttling your connection.
• Save Money When Shopping Online: Prices of different services can vary based on the region. A VPN can help you find better deals by changing your region virtually.

Final Thoughts

While it is not recommended to turn off a VPN for maximum security and enhanced privacy, you may want to disable it in some situations. On most devices, you can find the option to disable a VPN by opening the settings and then navigating to the network settings. 

If you’re using a native VPN client, all you have to do is hit the “disconnect” button to turn it off. Speaking of native VPN apps, we recommend NordVPN because it is a capable VPN with a very user-friendly app that lets you connect and disconnect quickly on the go.

We hope this article taught you how to turn off your VPN and when to do so. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below.