FIX: ZenMate VPN not working [6 tested methods]
- ZenMate VPN is an excellent VPN service that can keep your privacy safe and your connection secure.
- Like any other piece of software, ZenMate VPN can experience technical issues from time to time.
- Sometimes, ZenMate VPN can even stop working altogether on your PC, but that's no reason to worry.
- There are plenty of methods you can use to kickstart ZenMate VPN back to life if it stops working.
ZenMate VPN is well-known as a reliable VPN but sometimes it may not be working as it should, according to some users.
Before we start, we feel the need to mention that technical issues are normal to some degree for every piece of software.
Unfortunately, not even crucial security components such as VPNs, firewalls, or antivirus tools are an exception.
So you just noticed that ZenMate VPN is not working; what now?
We’ve prepared a brief guide that comprises various fixes to some of ZenMate VPN‘s most common issues.
How can I fix ZenMate VPN not working?
Reinstall ZenMate VPN
- Disconnect from ZenMate VPN
- Right-click your Start Menu
- Select Apps and Features
- Scroll down and locate ZenMate VPN
- Uninstall it completely from your PC
- Right-click your Start Menu once more
- Select Device Manager
- Expand the Network adapters category
- Right-click your VPN TAP driver adapter (if it’s still there)
- Select Uninstall device
- Restart your PC
- Download the last version of ZenMate VPN
- Proceed with installing it on your PC
- Check if the issue still persists
Usually reinstalling software that shows any sign of instability does the trick.
Since ZenMate VPN falls under this category (i.e. Software), it’s likely you can kickstart it back to life by simply reinstalling it.
The same goes for your TAP adapter driver. Reinstalling it can make it work once more, especially if that was the cause of ZenMate VPN not working for you.
Launch ZenMate VPN as administrator
Not having the right privileges on your system can lead to functionality issues, and ZenMate VPN makes no exception.
Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy fix for this situation.
Just force-stop the ZenMate VPN app, and, for bonus points, you can even log out of it before you close it.
For the sake of it, you can launch the Task Manager (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC) and make sure it’s not running anymore.
Once you’re sure it’s completely closed, right-click ZenMate VPN‘s executable and select Run as administrator.
Confirm your action by clicking the Yes button, log in to your account (if you logged out), and everything should be functional now.
Change/flush your DNS
- Right-click the Start Menu
- Select Network Connections
- Click the Change adapter options button
- Right-click your default Internet connection
- Select Properties
- Highlight but don’t uncheck Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
- Click the Properties button
- Toggle the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button
- Type 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the Preferred, respectively Alternate DNS servers
- Click OK
If your ISP doesn’t have a restriction regarding using other DNS addresses other than the ISP-assigned one, you should be able to use any DNS in those fields.
For the sake of keeping things simple, we chose Google’s Public DNS, which we tested and noticed that it works great.
However, feel free to lookup and use any other public or private DNS. Now, after changing your DNS, it’s time to flush out old data.
- On your Windows 10 PC launch an elevated CMD instance
- Type these commands, one by one, each followed by Enter:
ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /registerdnsipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewnetsh winsock reset
- Restart your PC
Once your PC goes through the reboot sequence, just launch ZenMate VPN and check if it’s working.
If your ISP-assigned DNS was messing with ZenMate VPN‘s functionality, it should be up and running like nothing ever happened.
Check your firewall/antivirus
Sometimes, your security software could interfere with various software components on your computer.
For instance, you may have an overzealous firewall that decides to simply block everything that the proverbial light touches.
The same goes for your antivirus; it might believe that ZenMate VPN is actually malware and may try to do anything to stop it.
For that reason, you should check if your firewall/antivirus has something against ZenMate VPN.
If you find any restrictions, you should remove them to restore ZenMate VPN‘s functionality on your PC.
Contact customer support
We feel this step is often overlooked, so we decided to mention it, although it’s somewhat ridiculously obvious.
If you experience any technical issue with ZenMate VPN and nothing seems to work, you should definitely contact its customer support.
Silently complaining about a defective product won’t bring it back, nor will it bring you a refund.
Last, but not least, remember to adopt a calm, friendly tone with tech support agents.
Use another VPN
- Buy another VPN subscription plan (we recommend Private Internet Access)
- Download and install the new VPN on your PC
- Launch it and log in to your account
- Connect to any server you want (nearby servers are usually faster)
- Enjoy being online anonymously
Private Internet Access is a great VPN service from Kape Technologies that works great on a wide variety of devices.
It also provides you with an impressive network of over 22,000 high-speed servers, making it easy to switch if something doesn’t work as it should.
Check out PIA’s key features:
- Zero-logging policy
- Over 22,000 fast servers worldwide
- Military-grade encryption
- Integrated VPN kill switch
- Protects you against ads and malware domains (PIA MACE)
- Can unblock several geo-restricted services
- Private DNS on all its servers
Private Internet Access
Looking for a ZenMate VPN alternative? You should check out PIA.
Conclusion
All things considered, if you notice that ZenMate VPN doesn’t work on your PC, there are many things you can try before calling it quits.
We recommend you go through all of our suggested fixes and avoid skipping either one of them; the one you skip may be the one that would’ve fixed the issue.
