Can't access VPN sites

[stevec]

In the run up to Black Friday deals I'm considering VPNs. Whenever I try to access the home sites of the VPN providers the link fails (ExpressVPN and NordVPN in particular). Is this something my ISP is preventing me from accessing? I'm with Vodaphone for my broadband. If not what may be my problem?

 

[elamessa]

Working for me. Try Here or Here

Express VPN has no black friday deal ATM.

 

[stevec]

Nop. Don't work for me. PAge times out. Says Unable to Connect. Suggests possible firewall or proxy settings! Never had any problems with websites before. Seems any VPN site I've tried I cant acccess.

 

[kevenh]

Looks like an ISP block.
Can you ping www.expressvpn.com or 13.224.69.80 ?

edit: have you a 2nd browser where you can try different proxy settings?

 

[stevec]

Not sure how to "ping".
Seems if I have "vpn" in the website name I cannot get a connection. So eg "bestvpnsites.com" won't connect.

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[stevec]

OK. I can ping both sites you mentioned from the CMD line (read up how to do it!)

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

You need to add it to some sort of approved url list in your vodafone account, I had to do something, can't remember the specifics.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I use opera browser, free with built in VPN. Some sites don't let you in but if I'm bothered I can switch to chrome

 

[kevenh]

Not sure how to "ping".
Seems if I have "vpn" in the website name I cannot get a connection. So eg "bestvpnsites.com" won't connect.

Sorry. I thought about adding some ping help.
win + r
enter cmd into the text field.

That launches a comand prompt.
there try: -
ping www.expressvpn.com
and
ping 13.224.69.80

then 'exit' to leave cmd

But it sounds like you've got the lead.

Maybe https://13.224.69.80 fixes but maybe DNS lookup stops that! (edit: that url doesn't work. Sorry)

 

[stevec]

It seems that Vodafone are blocking any VPN traffic including access to VPN websites. I'm investigating further to see what work arounds there are. Seems other people have the same problem!

Something about their DNS doing the blocking and that changing the DNS settings on the router will help. Getting a bit technical!

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[Stonemags76]

I’m with Vodafone, & have just gone on Nord vpn site, where they have a very good Black Friday deal, so worth persevering! Have you tried on your phone (if that’s a different network)?

 

[stevec]

Yes have tried my phone. Thats on VOXI which is basically a Vodafone service so similar results!

 

[stevec]

It's definitely the Vodafone DNS. I changed the DNS (to GoogleDNS) on my phone for the 4G internet access (using an app) and I could access NordVPN. Setting it back to Automatic and no access to Nord. I can change the DNS on my router but I've forgotten the router password (it's not the default!). Will have to do a factory reset and hope it doesn't screw up all my mobile devices! Not too concerned about no access to VPN websites at the moment though. The fact that my router password has been reset is more concerning so will sort that first.