How to check if a VPN works
The first check is simple: connect to the VPN and see whether your visible public IP address changes.
Basic VPN check
- Check your IP before connecting.
- Connect to the VPN.
- Reload the page and compare the result.
If the IP changed to the VPN location, the tunnel is probably working.
What else should you test?
- DNS leaks
- WebRTC leaks in the browser
- IPv6 exposure
A VPN can change your visible IP but still leak DNS or browser-side network details in some setups.