What Does This IP Leak Test Check?
Our free VPN leak test checks three critical aspects of your VPN protection:
- IP Address Leak: Your real IP address reveals your location and identity. If your VPN is working, only your VPN server IP should be visible.
- DNS Leak: DNS requests can bypass your VPN tunnel and reveal which websites you visit to your ISP — even when connected to a VPN.
- ISP Detection: We check whether your traffic appears to come from a VPN provider or your real internet provider.
How to Fix a VPN IP Leak
If our test shows your real IP or a DNS leak, here is how to fix it:
- Switch to a better VPN: Use a VPN with built-in DNS leak protection. We recommend NordVPN which has never leaked in our tests.
- Enable the kill switch: A VPN kill switch blocks all internet traffic if your VPN drops, preventing IP exposure.
- Use custom DNS servers: Configure your VPN to use its own DNS servers rather than your ISP’s.
- Try a different VPN protocol: Switch from OpenVPN to WireGuard for better stability and fewer leaks.
✅ Our Recommendation
After testing 50+ VPNs, NordVPN has never failed our IP or DNS leak tests. It includes built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection and 6,000+ servers. Start with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number assigned to your device by your internet provider. It reveals your approximate location and can be used to identify you online. A VPN replaces your real IP with one from its servers.
What is a DNS leak?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates website names into IP addresses. A DNS leak occurs when these requests bypass your VPN tunnel and go directly to your ISP’s servers, revealing which websites you visit even when using a VPN.
Which VPN never leaks?
In our 500+ hours of testing, NordVPN has the best leak protection track record. It uses its own private DNS servers and has a built-in emergency kill switch on all platforms.