◎ What's My IPCheck your IP ↗

VPN troubleshooting · Updated 6 October 2026

Did your VPN change your IP?

Check your public IP before connecting, then refresh the result after your VPN connects. A different address shows that this website received your request from a different public IP. It is a useful first check, but it does not prove that every app uses the VPN.

Compare your connection in four steps

  1. Record your starting address. With your VPN disconnected, open our public IP checker. Copy the address and note whether it is IPv4 or IPv6. Only disconnect when it is appropriate for your privacy needs.
  2. Connect your VPN. Wait until its app reports a connected state. Note the server location you selected.
  3. Load a fresh result. Reload the checker in the same browser. A tab left open from before the connection still shows the earlier snapshot.
  4. Compare the address and version. If the public address changed, this request used a different address. If the version changed too, review why IPv4 and IPv6 results differ before drawing a conclusion.

Keep the comparison private. You do not need to publish your original IP or send it to us to follow these steps.

Why is my IP still the same?

  • The connection is still starting. Check the VPN app's status and try a fresh page load once it is connected.
  • Your browser is excluded. Split tunneling can route selected apps or websites outside the VPN. Check your provider's instructions for the exclusions you have enabled.
  • You use a browser extension. Its routing may apply only to one browser, rather than your whole device. Test in the browser where it is enabled.
  • You are comparing different routes. An app, browser proxy, or another IP version may behave differently. Ask your VPN provider how it handles IPv4 and IPv6.

Does the location have to match the VPN server?

Not exactly. IP geolocation is an estimate, and providers can disagree about the city associated with an address. A location mismatch alone does not establish a VPN fault. See why your IP location can be wrong.

What this check does not test

This checker sees one web request. It does not run DNS or WebRTC leak tests, independently test both IP versions, verify a kill switch, or inspect traffic from other apps. An IP change also does not prevent identification through signed-in accounts or browser cookies.

If you need those checks, use a dedicated diagnostic tool and your provider's troubleshooting instructions. Do not interpret an address change as a guarantee of anonymity.

Provider instructions

For worked examples, see Proton VPN's IP comparison instructions and split tunneling guide. These are reference links, not paid recommendations.