How to Test Your VPN
A basic test can show whether the public IP address changed and which DNS resolvers answered a query. Review the provider’s documentation separately for application coverage and data practices.
1. Establish a baseline
Disconnect the VPN and record the public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses shown by a reputable IP-check service. Record the DNS resolvers shown by the DNS leak test. Treat the displayed city as an estimate because IP geolocation is not an exact physical-location measurement.
For a reliable VPN check, compare the public address shown by an IP-check service before and after connecting. Windows ipconfig, macOS and Linux network settings, and a phone’s Wi-Fi details normally show the device’s local address, which may remain unchanged. The explanation of how TuxlerVPN changes a public IP address distinguishes those address types.
2. Connect and repeat
Connect to the intended VPN endpoint, then repeat both checks. The public address should normally differ from the baseline. DNS results should match the provider’s documented design rather than unexpectedly showing the same ISP resolver used before the connection.
A changed address confirms that the tested request used a different path. The product’s documented scope and the broader guide to what an ISP can observe provide the context for other device traffic.
3. Check IPv6 and WebRTC separately
If the network supports IPv6, confirm that IPv6 is either tunneled or handled exactly as the provider documents. In a browser, a WebRTC diagnostic can reveal addresses available to browser communication features. A private local address is not the same as exposing a public subscriber address.
4. Test a connection interruption
If the application advertises a kill switch, test it without sensitive activity. While connected, interrupt the network or VPN process and observe whether traffic pauses or uses the ordinary connection. Behavior can differ after sleep, Wi-Fi changes, system updates, or switching networks.
5. Understand encryption tests
Most websites use HTTPS whether or not a VPN is active. A packet capture can confirm encryption between the device and VPN endpoint when it is interpreted by someone with the required networking expertise and permission. Pair that result with the product documentation to understand application coverage and service operation.
Confirming your results
If a result differs from the expected configuration, confirm the selected connection, reconnect, and consult the provider’s support documentation. If the issue is performance rather than routing, run a controlled VPN speed comparison. For a managed work or school device, the administrator can confirm the approved configuration.