V2Ray Frequently Asked Questions
Connection failures, slow speeds, subscription errors… this page covers 90% of common problems. Expand a category to find your answer.
Connection and speed-test issues
How do I troubleshoot a V2Ray connection that won't connect?
Check each item below in order. Most issues are resolved within the first three steps:
- Update your subscription: node details may have changed, so update before trying again.
- Run real-connection speed tests: test every node to rule out an individual failed node.
- Set the correct system time: VMess requires the device and server times to be within 90 seconds. Enable automatic time setting.
- Update the client: older versions may not support newer node protocols such as REALITY or Hysteria2.
- Switch networks: try Wi-Fi / mobile data to rule out local blocking of specific ports.
Why do all node speed tests time out?
Common causes, in order: an expired subscription or exhausted traffic allowance (check your provider dashboard); local firewall or carrier blocking (try another network); incorrect system time; or an outdated client. If only some nodes time out, those nodes have failed—switch to one with normal latency.
What if it connects but is very slow?
Use real-connection speed tests to choose the lowest-latency node first. Evening congestion is normal, so try nodes in less popular regions. WebSocket + TLS, gRPC, or REALITY are generally more stable than plaintext transports. Finally, check that you have not enabled a double proxy, such as a browser extension and client at the same time.
What is the difference between TUN mode and system proxy?
“System proxy” only affects apps that honor system proxy settings, typically browsers. “TUN mode” creates a virtual network adapter that captures all traffic, including command-line tools, games, and clients that do not use the system proxy, at a slight resource cost. Use system proxy for everyday browsing and enable TUN only when you need full capture.
Subscription and configuration issues
What if subscription updates fail or keep loading?
The subscription URL itself may be blocked by your network. First manually connect to a working node, then update the subscription (newer clients support “update subscription through proxy”). Also check that the URL was copied completely and has not expired; request a new URL from your provider if necessary.
A vmess:// link does not work after import?
Make sure the link was copied completely (it is a long Base64 string with no line breaks or spaces). Also confirm the link protocol matches the client core—on rare occasions, nodes using v2fly-only features may not work correctly in Xray-based v2rayNG; use v2flyNG instead.
Do subscription nodes update automatically?
Yes, but automatic updates must be enabled. On desktop, enable scheduled updates in v2rayN subscription settings. In v2rayNG / v2flyNG, enable “Auto Update” in Subscription Settings to update on launch or at the chosen interval. You can also choose “Update Subscription” from the main menu.
Download and installation issues
Can I use it on iPhone / iOS? What are the alternatives?
The v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG clients provided here do not support iOS, so they cannot be installed on an iPhone or iPad.
To use comparable proxy features on an Apple phone or tablet, choose one of these common iOS clients (paid App Store apps; availability depends on your Apple ID region):
- Shadowrocket: easy to use and supports VMess, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, and more; suitable for most users.
- Stash: strong rules and policy-group features for users who want fine-grained routing.
- Loon / Quantumult X: feature-rich options for advanced configurations.
These clients also support subscription URL imports: paste in the URL from your provider. Their workflow is similar to Android / desktop clients. For computers, we still recommend v2rayN.
Which APK architecture should I download for Android?
Nearly all phones released after 2016 use arm64-v8a, so choose it. Use armeabi-v7a for very old 32-bit phones and x86_64 for Android emulators on computers (BlueStacks, LDPlayer, and similar). A mismatched architecture can crash or fail to install.
macOS says “v2rayN is damaged and cannot be opened”—what should I do?
The package is not actually damaged; it has not been notarized by Apple. Open Terminal, run xattr -cr /Applications/v2rayN.app, then open it again.
Windows Defender flags it as a virus / blocks the download?
Proxy software is often falsely flagged by heuristic engines. Verify that the file came from this site's Download Center, then add it as trusted in Defender. Never download an unknown “undetectable” version instead.
v2rayNG disconnects immediately or crashes after I tap Connect?
Check in order: accept the system VPN permission prompt; set v2rayNG battery optimization to “Unrestricted” in system settings; verify the APK architecture matches your phone; then try uninstalling and installing the latest version.
Security and other questions
Do these clients charge fees or show ads?
No. v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG are free GPL-3.0 open-source software with no ads, in-app purchases, or memberships. If your installed version shows ads or payment prompts, it is not from an official source—uninstall it and get it again from this site's Download Center.
Do the clients themselves provide nodes?
No. These three apps are connection tools, like a browser. You must set up nodes (servers) yourself or obtain them from a provider; the client works after importing node configurations.