FIX: VPN Not Showing Up in Network Connections in Windows

6 min. read

Updated on March 13, 2024

updated on March 13, 2024

Readers help support VPNCentral. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.

VPN not showing up in Network Connections can be very annoying. This article explains this problem and how to fix it on Windows.

VPN is an essential part of our digital life nowadays. Most netizens rely on VPNs to surf the internet securely, unlock geo-restricted content, or for any other reason.

Best VPNs we've tested and recommend:

Editor's Choice

Private Internet Access

Access content across the globe at the highest speed rate.

70% of our readers choose Private Internet Access

70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Browse the web from multiple devices with industry-standard security protocols.

Cyberghost

Connect to thousands of servers for persistent seamless browsing.

This experience may not go smoothly, especially when there is something wrong happens with the VPN connection.

All operating systems like Windows and macOS have built-in VPN settings to add a VPN connection manually. The added VPNs are available in the network connections so users can connect quickly.

Sometimes, these VPNs may not appear in the network connection. A lot of Windows users encounter this problem.

But, there should not be any panic as this article will guide you on how to fix VPN not showing up in network connections on Windows 11 or 10.

Why is the existing/new VPN not showing up in the Connections?

There are two conditions. If the existing VPN connections are showing up, but newly configured are not added, this is one problem.

If all the existing ones are missing from network connections, this is a similar but slightly different problem. These two things happen due to the following reasons.

Corrupted Local Cache
Corrupted System Files

Also, you may not have noticed if the VPN connection configuration was successful or not. Whatever the reasons are, you can always solve this type of problem.

Quick Tip:

Before trying more time-consuming processes, you can resolve configuration issues by just getting a high-end VPN alternative.

ExpressVPN can offer you the latest encryption tools, TrustedServer technology, and easy setup on all major devices.

ExpressVPN

Access your VPN connection in one click using this high-speed software with a rich server network.

Check price Visit website

How can I fix VPN not showing up in Network Connections in Windows 11/10

1. Restart Windows

Open Start Menu by clicking on the Windows icon.
Click on Power icon.
Click on Restart.

Restarting can fix temporary bugs. If your VPN disappeared or Windows VPN won’t connect, make sure to try rebooting.

2. Create and remove dummy VPN Connection

2.1 Create dummy VPN

Press Windows + I on the keyboard to open Settings.
Click on Network & Internet and then on VPN.

Click on Add VPN.

Provide fake/random details for VPN configuration.

Click on Save.

For dummy VPN, you won’t have to give anything real. Just provide a random connection name and a server name. That’s enough.

If it solves VPN not showing up in connections, don’t forget to delete the dummy one.

2.2 Delete the dummy VPN:

Click on the dummy VPN connection name.

Click on Remove and then on Confirm.

If it fails to remove the VPN, read how to fix cannot delete a VPN connection.

3. Delete old VPN connection using command Prompt/Terminal

Open start menu and search for powershel.
Right-click on Windows PowerShell and choose Run as Administrator.

Type the following command to show view the existing VPN connections and press enter: VPNConnection

Type Remove-VPNConnection name. Replace name with your VPN connection name. If your one’s name is myvpn, the command will be like the following: Remove-VPNConnection name

Press enter.
Type Y and press enter to confirm the VPN removal.

After doing this, you can add the VPN connection again. It will appear in network connections.

4. Repair corrupted system files

4.1 Use System File Checker

Open Start Menu, type cmd.
Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.

windows command prompt run as administrator

Type the following command and hit enter: net stop wuauserv

Write the following command and press enter to run it: cd %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution

Now, Type following command and press enter to execute it. ren Download Download.old

Next, Write the following command and hit enter: net start wuauserv

Use the following command and press enter: net stop bits

Next type the command given below and hit enter: net stop cryptsvc

Write the following line and press enter: cd %systemroot%\system32

Then, type that command and press enter: ren catroot2 catroot2old

Write the following one and hit enter: net start bits

Next, write the following command and run it by pressing enter: net start cryptsvc

At last, type this command and hit enter to execute it: SFC /SCANNOW

4.2 Use DISM tool

Make sure you have opened the terminal or command prompt as administrator.
Then, type the following command and press enter to execute: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Restart Windows.

This way, Windows repairs its system components to fix any related errors, like the missing VPN connection name in network connections or error messages stating that you can’t remove the VPN connection while it is connected.

5. Reset Windows

Press Win + I on the keyboard.
Type reset in the searchbox, and click on Reset this PC from the suggestion.

Next, Click on Reset PC.

Then, Choose between Keep my files and Remove everything depending on your preference.

Resetting may take a bit long time, depending on how many files and apps are there and your hard disk or SSD speed. For more instructions, you can read how to reset Windows 11.

When your configured VPN connections don’t appear in network connections, these six methods are to help

Related:

Fix VPN Aborted by Local System Error

How a VPN application is the best way to avoid this problem in the future?

A VPN client can unlock many benefits to enhance your VPN experience in many ways.

In general, If you want to use multiple VPN connections for several reasons, it will be tough to maintain all of this manually. For example, you may want a server for securely browsing the internet and another one for streaming Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. Or there may be more.

If somehow these VPNs don’t appear in network connections, it will take your time to follow the above steps again. For the permanent solution, a VPN client is best. Most modern VPN apps have features to choose the purpose, servers, protocols, etc. That’s enough for the complete experience.

But, you only should use the built-in Windows VPN settings for specific reasons. It can be for connecting to your Office or home network, or anything that makes sense. For this, giving time for troubleshooting VPN connection not showing up errors worth your time.

That’s it. When you face this VPN problem, the methods mentioned above are sufficient to get rid of it.

You can also learn how to access files through VPN on Windows.

Feel free to share in the comment box if you know any other methods that can fix VPN not showing up in network connections.

Vladimir Popescu

Windows and VPN expert

Being an artist his entire life while also playing handball at a professional level, Vladimir has also developed a passion for all things computer-related. With an innate fascination for research and analysis, and realizing many other people share his passion for this subject, he delved into writing VPN-related articles, so other people can also benefit from the acquired information. When not writing kick-ass articles, Vladimir likes to spend his time doing Crossfit and creating art.