A VPN that suddenly stops connecting is more than an inconvenience—it can leave your browsing exposed, break access to region-locked content, and make public Wi-Fi feel unsafe. If TunnelBear has stopped working on your device, the cause is almost always something straightforward: a stale app version, a firewall overreaction, or a network that's quietly blocking VPN traffic.
The good news is that most TunnelBear issues resolve within a few minutes using the troubleshooting sequence below. No technical background is required. Work through each section in order, and you'll likely be protected again before you finish reading.
Why TunnelBear Might Stop Connecting
TunnelBear is a well-regarded VPN for its simplicity and strong encryption, but like any VPN it depends on several layers working together. A breakdown in just one can kill the connection entirely.
Weak or Unstable Internet
A VPN can only be as reliable as the network beneath it. If your base internet connection is flaky—high packet loss, intermittent drops, or very low bandwidth—TunnelBear won't be able to establish its encrypted tunnel. Before blaming the VPN, confirm that your connection works normally with the VPN turned off. Load a regular website or run a quick ping test to your router.
Outdated App or Operating System
TunnelBear releases updates to patch security vulnerabilities, fix connectivity bugs, and support new device operating systems. Running an outdated version is one of the most common reasons for sudden failures. The same goes for your device's OS—an old version of Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android may lack the network stacks TunnelBear relies on.
Firewall and Antivirus Interference
Security software is designed to scrutinise every piece of traffic entering and leaving your device. VPN connections, by nature, look different from normal web traffic. Some firewalls or antivirus suites mistakenly classify TunnelBear's encrypted packets as suspicious and block them. This is a false positive, but it's a frequent cause of connection failures.
Server Downtime or Overload
Even reliable VPN providers experience server maintenance or unexpected outages. If TunnelBear's servers in a particular region are down or overloaded with users, you won't be able to connect to that location. The app itself is fine—it just can't reach the endpoint.
Incorrect Login Credentials
It sounds basic, but a mistyped username or password will prevent authentication entirely. Password managers sometimes autofill old credentials, and users occasionally forget they changed their password on the TunnelBear website but not in the app.
Network Restrictions
Some networks—especially school, workplace, hotel, and airport Wi-Fi—actively block VPN traffic to enforce usage policies. Your ISP might also throttle or restrict VPN connections. In these cases, TunnelBear isn't broken; the network is simply refusing to let it through.
Quick Steps to Diagnose and Restore TunnelBear
These initial checks resolve the majority of TunnelBear failures. Try each step before moving to deeper troubleshooting.
Verify Your Internet Connection
Open a browser and load any website—Google, BBC, anything—without the VPN running. If the page loads slowly or not at all, your internet connection is the root cause. Restart your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. Allow two minutes for the network to stabilise, then test again.
Restart Your Device and the App
A full reboot clears temporary software glitches that can interfere with VPN connections. Shut down your computer or phone completely (not just sleep mode), wait 10 seconds, and power it back on. Then launch TunnelBear fresh. This single step resolves many "stuck connecting" scenarios.
Switch to a Different Server Location
Tap the bear icon inside the app and select a server in a different country—ideally one that's less popular, like a neighbouring region rather than the US or UK. If the new server connects, the previous one was likely down or congested. TunnelBear shows a ghost icon on servers experiencing issues, but this indicator isn't always immediate.
Update TunnelBear and Your Device's OS
Check your app store for TunnelBear updates and install any available. On Windows, also run Windows Update; on macOS, check System Settings > Software Update; on mobile, check your device's system update section. Reboot after updating, then try the VPN again.
Log Out and Log Back In
Sometimes the authentication token stored locally becomes corrupted. Open TunnelBear's settings, log out of your account, close the app completely, reopen it, and log back in with your current password. If you're unsure of your password, reset it on the TunnelBear website first, then use the new credentials in the app.
Adjust TunnelBear's VPN Settings
If the quick steps didn't help, a few configuration tweaks often resolve stubborn issues.
Change the VPN Protocol
TunnelBear lets you switch between OpenVPN (UDP) and IKEv2. Each protocol handles network conditions differently. OpenVPN is more versatile and generally better at bypassing firewalls, but IKEv2 is faster and more stable on mobile networks. In the app's settings, try the alternative protocol. Switching protocols is one of the most effective ways to get around ISP throttling or restrictive firewalls.
Temporarily Disable the Kill Switch
TunnelBear's Vigilant Bear (kill switch) blocks all internet traffic if the VPN drops unexpectedly. While essential for privacy, it can sometimes prevent the VPN from connecting in the first place—especially on networks with intermittent connectivity. Turn off Vigilant Bear temporarily in the settings, try connecting, and if it works, the kill switch was interfering. You should re-enable it later for normal use, but keeping it off on problematic networks is a practical workaround.
Verify Your Account Credentials Are Correct
Open the TunnelBear website in a browser, log in with your email and password, and confirm your subscription is active. If your account shows as expired or suspended, no amount of app tweaking will fix it. Renew your subscription or resolve any billing issues from the website, then log back into the app.
Firewall and Antivirus: Manage Security Software Conflicts
Security software is a frequent hidden cause of VPN failures. The fix is rarely to disable it permanently—just to teach it to trust TunnelBear.
Temporarily Disable Security Software
Turn off your firewall and antivirus protection for 60 seconds. Try connecting to TunnelBear while they're disabled. If the connection succeeds, you've identified the culprit. Don't leave your security disabled; instead, add TunnelBear as an exception.
Add TunnelBear to the Exception List
Open your firewall or antivirus settings and find the section for allowed or trusted applications. Add TunnelBear.exe (Windows) or the TunnelBear application (macOS) to the whitelist. If your security software has a separate network or VPN section, also allow the TunnelBear virtual adapter there. Restart both the security software and TunnelBear afterward.
Network Troubleshooting for Persistent Problems
When the app is up-to-date, settings are correct, and security software isn't blocking anything, the issue is likely network-level.
Test on a Different Network
Switch from your home Wi-Fi to a mobile hotspot or a friend's network. If TunnelBear connects immediately, your home network—or your ISP—is blocking VPN traffic. This is increasingly common, especially with routers that include built-in VPN detection.
Reset Network Settings on Windows
Windows stores network configurations that can become corrupted. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Confirm the reset—your PC will restart and all network adapters will be reinstalled. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords afterward, but this often clears deep-level conflicts that prevent VPN connections.
Check for ISP or Network Blocks
Some internet service providers intentionally block common VPN ports. If you suspect this, contact your ISP and ask whether they restrict VPN traffic. You can also try changing TunnelBear's protocol to OpenVPN on TCP port 443—this port is used for standard HTTPS traffic and is rarely blocked—which is set within the app's advanced settings.
Advanced Repairs for Windows Users
These steps involve system-level tools and should only be attempted if simpler fixes haven't worked.
Reset Winsock via Command Prompt
Winsock (Windows Sockets API) manages how your computer handles network requests. Corruption here can prevent any VPN from working.
- Press Windows + S, type
cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. - Type
netsh winsock resetand press Enter. - When you see the confirmation, type
netsh int ip resetand press Enter. - Restart your computer.
After reboot, open TunnelBear and try connecting. This reset wipes out network-layer misconfigurations that standard troubleshooting can't touch.
Flush DNS Cache
Stale DNS entries can prevent TunnelBear from resolving its server addresses. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter. The confirmation message reads "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache." This takes two seconds and costs nothing.
Run the Network Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix network problems. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, find Network and Internet, and run it. Follow the on-screen prompts. It's not a cure-all, but it occasionally catches issues that manual checks miss.
When to Contact TunnelBear Support
Not every problem can be solved on your own. Recognising when to ask for help saves time and prevents frustration.
Check the Official Server Status Page First
Before contacting support, visit TunnelBear's status page (usually status.tunnelbear.com). If the page shows an ongoing outage or scheduled maintenance, there's nothing to fix on your end—you simply have to wait. Support will already be aware of the issue.
Contact Customer Support with Specific Details
If the status page shows all green and you've exhausted the steps above, reach out through the app or the official website. To get a fast resolution, include:
- Your device model and operating system version.
- TunnelBear app version.
- Which troubleshooting steps you've already tried.
- Any error messages the app displayed.
- Whether the issue affects all server locations or just one.
Support teams can check your account for backend errors and may have access to logs that reveal the exact point of failure.
Exploring Alternative VPN Options
If TunnelBear continues to fail despite thorough troubleshooting, or if you need features TunnelBear doesn't offer—like split tunnelling or streaming-optimised servers—consider switching providers. A VPN that never connects is useless, no matter how good its privacy policy is.
Reliable Free VPN Choices
For light browsing and occasional use, free options exist. ProtonVPN offers unlimited data on its free plan with strong privacy protections. Windscribe provides 10 GB of monthly data on free servers across multiple countries. Both have clean interfaces and no intrusive ads. Keep in mind that free VPNs may have slower speeds and fewer server locations than paid services.
VPNs Built for Streaming and Speed
If you need a VPN for watching content from other regions, speed and server availability matter most. ExpressVPN consistently unblocks major streaming platforms and has fast, reliable connections. NordVPN offers a huge server network with specialised streaming profiles. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections and works well for households with multiple devices. All three offer money-back guarantees, so you can test them risk-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my TunnelBear working?
Most commonly, a weak internet connection, an outdated app, or a firewall block is responsible. Restart your device and the app, check for updates, switch servers, and temporarily disable security software. If none of those work, your network may be blocking VPN traffic.
Why is my VPN suddenly not working?
Sudden failures often trace back to a server outage, an ISP block, or a recent OS update that broke compatibility. Check TunnelBear's server status page, update your app and device, and try a different VPN protocol.
What is better than TunnelBear?
ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer faster speeds, larger server networks, and better streaming support. They also provide advanced features like split tunnelling and dedicated streaming servers that TunnelBear lacks.
How often does TunnelBear reset its data allowance?
TunnelBear's free plan resets data usage on the first day of each calendar month. Paid plans have no data caps.
Why isn't TunnelBear working on my device?
Other VPN apps or security software can interfere. Disable any other VPNs you have installed, add TunnelBear to your antivirus exception list, and restart your device before trying again.
Final Thoughts
TunnelBear is a solid VPN, but no service is immune to connection hiccups. The fix is almost always simpler than it feels at the moment—check your internet, update the app, switch a setting, or add an exception to your firewall. Work through the steps in the order presented here, and you'll resolve the vast majority of issues in under ten minutes.
If the problem persists beyond that, it's almost certainly a network-level block or a server outage—both of which are outside your control. In that case, TunnelBear's support team is your best next step, and a backup VPN provider is a reasonable long-term precaution.
Stay protected, stay patient, and you'll be back to bear territory in no time.