VPN

[AX]

I've had 5G Three Home Broadband since January 2022 and it has all worked fine until May 2023.  Since then apart from a generally unreliable network connection and reduced speeds, my main gripe has to be connecting to my works VPN.  I just cannot make a reliable VPN connection - even when the general state of the network seems fine.

The upload speed on VPN is so low it is unusable. While not connected to VPN the speeds may show 30Mbps download & 8Mbps upload.  When connected to VPN the upload speed drops to less than 0.5Mbps. 

I can use the same laptop in another location using a different broadband provider with no discernible reduction in speed when connected to VPN.  Anyone else experienced this and found a resolution ? Thanks.

[Swakes1]

I had the same issue. Eventually my IT team at work managed to figure out a fix, it’s to do with the ipv6 being enabled, I contacted Three support on my app and asked them to change my connection to ipv4.. and amazingly after rebooting the router and my laptop, stable connection! I have no idea what ipv6 or 4 are… but def try this! 

[JonathanB]

Hi @Swakes1,

Thanks for sharing this solution worked for you. There's a thread which goes into more detail on this: FYI : IPv6 Prevented VPN Connection 

As you've mentioned the Tech team can switch your router over to IPv4 too.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Hmam]

I am strongly considering moving providers as my broadband connection is so unstable. I get kicked off my VPN intermittently and frankly I’ve had enough. Also, my Firestick hates it and regularly won’t work, but that’s less important 

[KateS]

Hey @Hmam,

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your VPN disconnecting intermittently. 

FYI : IPv6 Prevented VPN Connection This article contains some information that may help you. Some other users have found this helpful with issues relating to VPNs.

Let me know how you get on.

Thanks,
Kate

[PeteG]

Hi.

It's disappointing to hear you're having ongoing intermittent issues with the Broadband connection. Is the VPN something you're running over all you devices that connect, or is that issue referring to the connection of a specific device that uses a VPN? 

Is there other software that's having issues connecting? If so, is that just when through a VPN, or both with a VPN and without? 

Pete.

[Hmam]

The VPN is on my work laptop. However slow and unstable internet is a regular feature in our house. If I want to use internet banking on my phone, I have to disconnect from WiFi. My fire stick hates the WiFi connection and regularly won’t work. PlayStation hates it too. Life is too short, think I’m moving to virgin!

[JamesC]

I am also having connection problems using a VPN, I am using NordVPN on an iPhone 11, it appears that 3 is actively blocking VPN connections (I can connect via VPN with the same device over Wi-Fi). I thought it might have been been the adult filtering, just tuned that off but I am still unable to connect via a VPN on the 3 network.

[PeteG]

Hello. 

After doing some testing on NordVPN, I wasn't able to reproduce the issues you're having. I've tried most of the connection types, but they seemed to connect.

I found that having Meshnet enabled seemed to make the connection a bit more flaky, sometimes taking multiple tries to connect. I was able to reproduce this issue on another mobile network as well though, so it doesn't seem like it is Three specific. 

Do you have any customised settings enabled on your connection to the VPN? 
The only other difference was that I was unable to test it on an iPhone, so it could be a device specific issue.

Pete. 

[Hmam]

@JonathanB see above please