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Disconnect the VPN, verify that your regular internet connection works, and select Tor Browser’s normal Connect option. Tor Project says VPNs often interfere with Tor and recommends that most users do not run both together. If Tor connects with the VPN off, the VPN, its routing, or its network settings are the likely cause; leave it disabled unless you have a specific, well-understood reason to combine the two.
The steps below separate ordinary Tor Browser problems from blocked networks, proxy mistakes, security-software interference, and the separate Android app called Tor VPN Beta.
1. Establish a clean baseline with the VPN off
A VPN is not required to use Tor Browser. Combining the two changes the network path before Tor starts, which can create connection failures and privacy complications. Tor Project’s known-issues guidance states: VPNs also tend to interfere with Tor and need to be disabled. We also do not recommend using VPN and Tor together unless you’re an advanced user who knows how to configure both in a way that doesn’t compromise your privacy.
See Tor Project’s known-issues guidance.
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- Open an ordinary website in another browser or application to confirm that the computer or phone has internet access.
- Open Tor Browser and click Connect. Most users do not need to change any connection setting.
- On desktop, read the status shown by Connection Assist. If it reports Offline, repair the underlying internet connection before changing Tor settings. Tor’s connection troubleshooting guide and first-launch guide describe this baseline test.
| Result of the baseline test | What it indicates | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Tor connects with the VPN disconnected | The VPN, its kill switch, DNS handling, firewall rule, or routing is implicated. | Keep the VPN off for Tor, or investigate the VPN configuration only if you have an advanced, specific reason to run both. |
| Tor does not connect and Connection Assist says Offline | The device is not online, regardless of Tor. | Restore Wi-Fi, wired, or mobile internet first, then retry Tor. |
| Tor does not connect although ordinary internet works | A local setting, security program, outdated browser, or network block may be involved. | Continue with the local checks and circumvention steps below. |
2. Check simple local causes before changing Tor’s network design
Verify the system clock and time zone
Make sure the computer or phone has the correct date, time, and time zone. A substantially incorrect clock can prevent secure connections from being validated. Enable the operating system’s automatic time setting, apply the correction, restart Tor Browser, and try Connect again.
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Close duplicate Tor Browser or Tor processes
A second Tor Browser window or a leftover Tor process can hold the same local resources as the instance you are trying to start. Close every Tor Browser window, exit the application rather than merely minimizing it, and confirm that no Tor process remains in the operating system’s process manager. Reopen one copy only.
Restart after sleep, hibernation, or a network change
If the failure began after hibernation, sleep, changing Wi-Fi networks, or reconnecting a VPN, reboot the device. This clears stale sockets and routes without requiring speculative configuration changes.
Test antivirus and firewall interference safely
Security software can block Tor’s executable or its outbound connections. Temporarily pause the relevant antivirus web shield or firewall rule as a diagnostic test, then try Tor once. Do not leave protection disabled: restore the software immediately after the test. If Tor works only while protection is paused, create a narrowly scoped allow rule for the current Tor Browser installation or consult that product’s documentation instead of running unprotected.
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Open Tor Browser’s update control and install the current version through Tor Project’s official update workflow. Version information is useful when asking for support, and an old build may contain connection or transport fixes that are absent from your installation. The official troubleshooting page lists version checking among the initial diagnostics.
3. Remove proxy settings you do not actually need
Do not enter a proxy address simply because Tor is not connecting. Tor’s first-launch documentation says proxy configuration is generally unnecessary and should be selected only when the network really uses a proxy, such as a workplace, school, or managed public network.
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Open Tor Browser’s connection configuration and inspect the proxy option. If you are not required to use one, remove the proxy address, port, username, and password, save the setting, and retry the ordinary connection. A stale proxy can make Tor appear offline even though other applications still work.
An unnecessary proxy can also prevent Tor from using a bridge. If you are testing bridges, remove the accidental proxy first; add a proxy again only when the network administrator or its documentation confirms that it is required. The relevant guidance is in Tor Project’s first-launch instructions and known-issues page.
4. Use a bridge when the network blocks direct Tor access
If ordinary internet access works, the VPN is disconnected, local checks pass, and Tor still cannot establish a circuit, the network may be blocking Tor. In that case, use Tor’s built-in circumvention tools rather than adding another commercial VPN.
- Open Tor Browser’s Connection Assist, or choose Configure Connection from the connection screen.
- Choose the bridge or pluggable-transport option.
- Try one available transport, connect, and allow enough time for the attempt to complete.
- If it fails, return to the same screen and try another transport. Effectiveness depends on the network, country, and time; no transport is universally best.
Tor documents obfs4, meek, Snowflake, and WebTunnel as available circumvention methods. Some can be selected from built-in choices; others may require obtaining bridge addresses and entering them manually. Bridges can be slower than ordinary Tor relays because they add an extra layer of circumvention. See Tor Project’s guide to unblocking Tor.
| Option | How you obtain it | Configuration effort | Speed expectation | When to try it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Tor connection | No bridge or proxy | Lowest; select Connect | Usually the simplest path, but performance varies by network | Always use this as the baseline when Tor is not blocked |
| Built-in bridge or transport | Selected in Connection Assist or Configure Connection | Low; choose an available option | May be slower than a direct relay | When direct Tor access appears blocked |
| Manually entered bridge | Obtain bridge addresses, then enter them in Tor’s connection settings | Higher; requires accurate bridge details | Depends on the bridge and current network conditions | When built-in choices do not connect or are unavailable |
| Proxy plus bridge | Requires a real network proxy and bridge details | Highest; both settings must be correct | Additional configuration can reduce reliability and speed | Only when the network genuinely requires a proxy |
Compare options by whether they connect on your current network, how much setup they require, whether a proxy is genuinely needed, and how much speed you can accept. Do not rank transports by a promised universal success rate. A bridge that works on one connection can fail on another, and slower performance is normal for some circumvention paths.
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5. Diagnose “Not Connected” with logs
The message Not Connected is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Record the exact wording, when the failure began, whether the VPN was enabled, and whether ordinary websites load. Also note whether the problem started after an update, sleep, hibernation, or a network change. Then collect Tor’s own logs.
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Desktop Tor Browser
- Open Tor Browser’s settings.
- Go to Connection.
- Select View Logs.
- Copy the relevant entries, including the time of the failed attempt and any bootstrap or proxy error.
Android Tor Browser
- Open the connection settings in Tor Browser.
- Open Tor Logs.
- Copy the entries surrounding the failed connection.
Before posting logs publicly, remove usernames, local paths, IP addresses, bridge addresses, or other information that could identify you or your network. Share the Tor Browser version, device platform, exact error, steps already tried, and the redacted log with Tor support or a bug report. Tor’s troubleshooting instructions explain the same evidence-gathering process.
6. Fix “Proxy Server Is Refusing Connection” specifically
This message means Tor Browser attempted to use a proxy endpoint that rejected the connection. It does not prove that every Tor connection needs a different port or that a VPN will solve the problem.
Work through the likely causes in order
- Check security software. Temporarily test with antivirus or firewall filtering paused, then restore protection. If that changes the result, create an appropriate allow rule rather than leaving the software disabled.
- Check the Tor Browser location. If the Tor Browser folder was moved after installation, its configured executable or profile paths may no longer match. Restore it to its original location or perform a clean installation in a new directory.
- Inspect the configured proxy and port. Remove a proxy you do not need. If another application or a locally configured Tor service is supposed to provide the proxy, verify that it is running and listening on the configured address.
- Use a clean installation as a final software test. Download Tor Browser from Tor Project, install it into a new directory rather than overwriting the damaged folder, and test before copying old settings back.
Tor’s error-specific page gives 9050 and 9150 as example ports to try when a local Tor proxy is expected. Those numbers are examples from the support instructions, not a general remedy for all connection failures; changing ports is useful only when the service you intend to reach is actually listening on the selected port. Consult Tor Project’s proxy-error guide.
7. Do not confuse Tor Browser with Tor VPN Beta
Tor Browser is a browser application that routes its own traffic through Tor. Tor VPN Beta is a separate Android application with a different connection model. If someone says “Tor VPN” but describes an Android VPN app rather than the browser, use the Android-specific branch instead of changing Tor Browser’s proxy or bridge settings.
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Android restrictions that affect Tor VPN Beta
- Android does not permit multiple VPN apps to run at the same time. A commercial VPN, firewall, or filtering app that already owns Android’s VPN slot can prevent Tor VPN Beta from connecting.
- Firewall applications that use Android’s VPN function can block Tor VPN Beta even when no commercial VPN is visible. Disconnect or disable the competing VPN-based firewall for a controlled test, then restore it after testing.
- A manually configured Private DNS setting can bypass Tor’s DNS handling. Return Private DNS to the appropriate automatic or disabled state for a test, unless your organization specifically requires a custom resolver.
Tor Project documents these cases in its Tor VPN troubleshooting guidance. These Android checks do not change the recommendation for ordinary Tor Browser: first disconnect the other VPN and try Tor’s normal connection.
8. A practical decision tree
| Symptom | Do this first | If it still fails |
|---|---|---|
| No websites work and Connection Assist says Offline | Repair Wi-Fi, wired, or mobile internet. | Retry Tor after ordinary internet access returns. |
| Tor works only when the VPN is off | Leave the VPN disconnected for Tor. | Only pursue an advanced combined setup if you understand its routing and privacy consequences. |
| Internet works, but direct Tor is blocked | Use Connection Assist or Configure Connection to select a bridge. | Try another transport, including obfs4, meek, Snowflake, or WebTunnel. |
| “Not Connected” with no clear cause | Check clock, duplicate processes, security software, reboot, and version. | Collect logs and submit a precise support request. |
| “Proxy Server Is Refusing Connection” | Remove an unneeded proxy and check antivirus, firewall, folder location, and configured port. | Test a clean installation in a new directory; use ports 9050 or 9150 only when the expected local service uses them. |
| Tor VPN Beta on Android will not connect | Check for another VPN app, VPN-based firewall, and manual Private DNS. | Follow the Tor VPN-specific troubleshooting path and provide logs. |
9. Mistakes that make troubleshooting harder
- Keeping the VPN enabled during every test: this prevents you from identifying whether Tor itself works.
- Adding random proxies: an incorrect proxy can block Tor and interfere with bridges.
- Changing ports without a listening service: a different number cannot create a service that is not running.
- Disabling antivirus or firewall permanently: use a short diagnostic test, then restore protection and configure a targeted exception if necessary.
- Assuming a VPN guarantees anonymity: Tor Project warns that an incorrectly combined VPN-and-Tor setup can compromise privacy; a VPN is neither required for Tor nor a universal censorship solution.
- Reinstalling over a broken directory: a new installation directory is a cleaner test when files or profiles may have been moved or damaged.
- Changing several settings at once: test one change at a time so you know whether the VPN, proxy, bridge, or security software changed the result.
- Publishing unredacted logs: logs can contain local paths, addresses, or bridge details, so review them before sharing.
For most readers, the reliable sequence is: VPN off, internet verified, ordinary Connect, local checks, proxy removal, bridges if the network blocks Tor, then logs and support. Reintroduce a VPN only when you can explain exactly why you need both and how each layer is configured.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. What to include when asking for help
A useful support request is reproducible. State whether you are using desktop or Android Tor Browser, the exact Tor Browser version, your operating system, whether ordinary websites load, whether the VPN was connected, and the precise message shown by Tor. Say which bridge, proxy, or transport you tried and whether the failure began after sleep, an update, or moving the Tor Browser folder. Include the relevant timestamped log lines after removing identifying information. This gives support a way to distinguish an offline device, a blocked direct connection, a rejected proxy, and software interference without asking you to repeat every test.
If a clean installation connects, do not immediately restore every old profile and connection setting. Add settings back one at a time. A copied proxy value or damaged profile can reproduce the original failure, while a fresh directory confirms that the downloaded program itself can connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN to use Tor Browser?
No. Tor Browser is designed to connect without a VPN, and Tor Project says most users should not combine the two. Disconnect the VPN and test the normal Connect option first. If Tor works, keep the VPN off unless you have an advanced, specific reason and understand the privacy and routing implications.
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Should I buy a different VPN if Tor will not connect?
Not as a standard fix. Tor Project warns that VPNs tend to interfere with Tor. First verify ordinary internet access, remove unnecessary proxies, check local security software, and try a Tor bridge if the network blocks direct access. The documented remedies do not require purchasing another VPN.
Which Tor bridge is the fastest or best?
There is no universal winner. Tor documents obfs4, meek, Snowflake, and WebTunnel, but effectiveness depends on your network and current conditions. Try the built-in choices one at a time; expect some bridges to be slower than ordinary relays. If built-in options fail, obtain and enter a bridge address manually.
Can changing the port fix a Tor connection problem?
Only when a local Tor service is expected to be listening on that port. Tor’s proxy-error guidance gives 9050 and 9150 as examples. Changing numbers cannot create a missing service and is not a general solution for a blocked network, an incorrect proxy, or VPN interference.
Why did moving the Tor Browser folder cause a proxy error?
Moving the folder can leave configured executable or profile paths pointing to the old location. Restore the original location or install Tor Browser cleanly into a new directory. Test the fresh installation before copying old settings back.
How do I safely share Tor logs?
On desktop, open Settings, choose Connection, and select View Logs. On Android, open the connection settings and Tor Logs. Copy entries around the failed attempt, then remove usernames, local paths, IP addresses, bridge addresses, and other identifying details before sending them to Tor support or including them in a bug report.
What is the difference between Tor Browser and Tor VPN Beta?
Tor Browser is a browser application; Tor VPN Beta is a separate Android app. Android permits only one VPN app at a time, so another VPN or VPN-based firewall can block Tor VPN Beta. Manually configured Private DNS can also bypass its DNS handling. Those checks apply to Tor VPN Beta, not ordinary Tor Browser.
What should I do if Tor says Not Connected but my internet works?
Check the system clock and time zone, close duplicate Tor processes, reboot after sleep or a network change, test antivirus or firewall interference briefly, and check for an update. Remove any proxy you do not need. If the problem remains, collect the exact error and Tor logs so support can diagnose it.
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Start with the simplest test: disconnect the VPN, confirm ordinary internet access, and click Tor Browser’s normal Connect button. Then check the clock, duplicate processes, security software, version, and proxy settings. If the network blocks Tor, try built-in bridges or pluggable transports; if an error persists, provide redacted logs and exact version details. Tor VPN Beta on Android is a separate troubleshooting case.
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