VPN error 800: How to fix it on Windows

If you’re facing VPN error 800, your PC is failing to reach the VPN server. This usually comes from wrong credentials, mis-typed server details, blocked ports, or protocol issues. Use the step-by-step guide below to diagnose and fix it quickly.

Before you start

• Confirm your Internet connection works (open a few sites).
• Restart your PC and router.
• Keep your VPN server name, username, and password ready.

Fix VPN error 800: step by step

Solution 1: Verify your login credentials

What to do: Make sure the VPN username and password are correct.

1. Open your VPN app and sign out if you’re already logged in.
2. On the login screen, retype your username and password carefully.
3. Click the eye icon to reveal your password and spot typos.
4. Try connecting again.
5. If unsure, log into your VPN provider’s account dashboard in a browser and reset the password, then log in again.
6. Wrong logins are also behind VPN error 691.

Solution 2: Check the VPN server name or IP

Confirm the server address exactly matches what your provider lists.

1. Copy the exact server hostname or IP from your provider’s website or app.
2. On Windows, go to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN.
3. Select your VPN profile and click Advanced options or Edit.
4. Paste the hostname or IP into Server name or address.
5. Click Save, then Connect
6. If it connects but traffic doesn’t work, see VPN connected but not working.

Solution 3: Test your Internet connection

Ensure your Internet connection itself is stable.

1. Disconnect from the VPN.
2. Open a browser and try loading multiple websites.
3. If sites don’t load, restart your router and PC.
4. Run the troubleshooter: Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Internet Connections → Run.
5. If issues appear only on mobile data, check VPN not working on data.

Solution 4: Switch the VPN protocol

Change protocols if the current one is blocked by your network.

1. On Windows, go to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN.
2. Select your VPN profile and click Edit.
3. Under VPN type, try IKEv2, SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, or PPTP.
4. Save, then reconnect.
5. In third-party apps, open Settings → Protocol and switch between IKEv2, OpenVPN, or WireGuard.

Protocol errors are also linked to VPN error 789.

Solution 5: Allow the VPN through Windows Firewall

Ensure the firewall isn’t blocking the app.

1. Open Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click Change settings.
4. Find your VPN app → tick both Private and Public.
5. If missing, click Allow another app…, browse to the VPN program, and add it.
6. Try connecting again.

Solution 6: Open the required VPN ports (router)

What to do: Open ports needed by your VPN protocol. Misconfigured ports don’t just trigger error 800, they can also cause VPN error 806, which similarly signals blocked GRE or IPSec traffic.

1. Identify the ports:
   • PPTP → TCP 1723 + GRE 47
   • L2TP/IPsec → UDP 500, 1701, 4500 + ESP (50)
   • SSTP → TCP 443
   • IKEv2 → UDP 500, 4500
2. Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
3. Go to Port Forwarding / Virtual Server settings.
4. Add rules for the needed ports.
5. Enable VPN passthrough if available.
6. Save and reboot the router.
7. Reconnect your VPN.

Port misconfigurations can also cause VPN error 631, they also commonly result in VPN error 809, which points to blocked or unreachable network paths during connection.

Solution 7: Flush DNS and reset TCP/IP

What to do: Clear DNS cache and reset the network stack.

1. Right-click Start → open Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Run these commands one by one:
   

   ipconfig /flushdns
   netsh int ip reset
   netsh winsock reset
   

   
   
3. Restart your PC.
4. Reconnect to your VPN.
5. If you see “element not found,” check VPN error 1168.

Solution 8: Switch to a more reliable VPN provider

What to do: Change to a provider with better infrastructure if errors persist.

1. Sign up with a premium VPN such as NordVPN.
2. Download and install the app on your device.
3. Log in with your account.
4. Go to Settings → Protocol → choose IKEv2 or WireGuard (NordLynx).
5. Enable Obfuscated/Stealth servers if on a restricted network.
6. Connect to the nearest server for faster speeds.

For whole-home coverage, set up a VPN for your whole house.

If the client reaches the server but the session drops mid-connection, check for VPN Error 807, where the connection to the VPN server gets interrupted. Use that guide if firewall and port changes don’t stop the disconnects.

Solution 9: Try different server locations

What to do: Some servers are down, overloaded, or blocked.

1. Open your VPN app and disconnect.
2. Select another server in the same country first.
3. Test the connection.
4. If it still fails, try a nearby country.
5. Choose servers marked as low latency or “fast.”
6. Once stable, return to your preferred server.

Common Windows VPN errors

Error code	Meaning	Common fix
800	Cannot establish connection	Check credentials, server, firewall
619	Connection terminated	Reboot PC, reconfigure VPN
720	No PPP protocols configured	Reinstall WAN miniport drivers
809	Network not reachable	Open ports, adjust router

FAQs about VPN error 800

Conclusion

Go through the steps in order: credentials → server address → Internet → protocol → firewall → ports → DNS/TCP reset → provider/server. If your current provider still fails, switching to a reliable VPN with better infrastructure like NordVPN is the most effective way to avoid VPN error 800 for good.