V2Ray FAQs and Troubleshooting

V2Ray generally refers to the Project V ecosystem of related protocols, cores, and tools rather than one specific graphical application. v2rayN is a desktop client for Windows, macOS, and Linux that manages subscriptions, nodes, system proxy settings, and routing; v2rayNG is an Android client. When troubleshooting, first determine whether the problem is with the client interface, core startup, or remote node, because each requires a different approach.

Start with the system proxy for a basic connectivity check. Import a subscription, select a node, start the client, enable the system proxy, and visit a reliable site in a browser. Enable TUN only after the basic path works, when a specific application ignores the system proxy or broader traffic capture is needed. This keeps subscription, node, and permission issues separate and avoids introducing several variables at once.

Use Global mode temporarily to check whether a node works by sending all requests through it. For everyday use, bypass LAN and mainland China so local addresses and traffic matching direct-connection rules avoid the proxy. Custom mode is intended for users who understand rules such as domain, ip, and geosite. After switching modes, revisit the target site to verify the result rather than relying only on the client status.

The system proxy writes a proxy address to the operating system’s network settings, which browsers and applications that follow those settings will use. TUN mode captures a broader range of traffic through a virtual network interface and usually requires elevated permissions plus correct routing and DNS configuration. The system proxy is easier to inspect and is best for initial validation; TUN covers more traffic, but other similar network tools should be disabled first.

In v2rayN, open the subscription group or subscription settings, create a group, enter the full URL as the subscription address, and update the subscription. In v2rayNG, open Subscription Group Settings from the top-left menu, add the address, and update it. Do not paste the subscription URL into an individual node’s address field, and remove any spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation before and after the URL.

First check whether the update returned an error, then verify that the subscription URL is complete and has not expired. Copy the URL again, remove leading and trailing spaces, and update it. Confirm that the client and system clocks match, and try another network. If the update succeeds but the list remains empty, the response may not contain a node format the client recognizes. Ask the subscription provider to confirm the format instead of repeatedly reinstalling the client.

Most mainstream Android phones released after 2015 use arm64, so choose the arm64 package first; it is usually smaller. Choose universal if you cannot confirm the CPU architecture, the device is older, or arm64 installation fails. The main difference is the range of CPU architectures included, not node speed. Before changing packages, record your existing subscriptions and custom rules.

The desktop version uses a newer cross-platform interface and suits users who want a similar workflow on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The classic WPF version targets Windows and offers a more familiar, stable interface. For a first installation, start with the desktop version. If an existing WPF setup works well, there is no need to migrate solely for interface differences; export your subscriptions and custom routes before migrating.

Test at least two nodes consecutively to determine whether the timeout affects one node or all of them. Then update the subscription and confirm that the node address and port have not expired. Compare Wi-Fi with a mobile network, and temporarily close other network tools that may be using the proxy port. Only when every node times out across different networks should you prioritize checking whether the client core started, whether the system clock is accurate, and whether security software is blocking it.

A connected status only confirms that the core process has started; it does not prove that the remote path works. Check that the system proxy is enabled, temporarily switch routing to Global mode, and select another node. If access still fails, inspect the logs for DNS errors, connection refusals, or handshake failures. Then exit the client, confirm that the system proxy has been restored, and start it again. If the browser has its own proxy settings, verify that its port matches the client’s port.

This is usually related to routing rules, DNS resolution, or the target site’s own status. Test the same URL in Global mode first. If it works globally but not in split-routing mode, focus on domain rules and their matching order. If Global mode also fails, switch nodes and clear the system DNS cache. Do not change the node, DNS, and routing all at once; change one item at a time and retest so you can identify which layer matters.

Test the nodes first, then the network path, and local settings last. Choose several nodes from the same subscription and test them on the same network at roughly the same time. Switch networks for comparison only if every node is slow. If another network works normally, the issue is more likely the current route or router. If all networks are slow, check for multiple proxy tools running at once, duplicate TUN capture, and routing rules that send unnecessary traffic through the proxy.

First check whether the application follows the operating system’s proxy settings. Some applications use their own network configuration or read the proxy state only at startup. Fully quit and reopen the application, then check for an internal proxy option. Verify the system proxy itself by visiting a test site in a browser. If the browser works but the specific application connects directly, the issue is usually within that application. Consider TUN mode only if that traffic truly needs to be captured.

Exit the client first, then relaunch it with administrator privileges as required by the operating system, and confirm that the system allows virtual network interfaces to be created. Close other running TUN, VPN, or virtual adapter tools and try again. Check the logs for a specific driver, port, or route creation failure. Once permissions are resolved, test with the default routing settings instead of importing complex custom rules at the same time.

Check four layers in order: URL, network, time, and format. Copy the complete subscription URL again and remove surrounding whitespace. Switch networks to rule out access problems with the subscription address. Then correct the system date, time, and time zone. Finally, check the response type in the update log. If the response is a webpage notice, login page, or empty content, the client cannot parse it as a node list; the subscription provider must restore the correct response.

Open the client again, set the system proxy to Clear or Off, and exit normally so the operating system’s proxy settings can be restored. Open the system network proxy page and confirm that the manual proxy switch is off. If TUN was used, also confirm that its virtual interface has stopped. Reopen the browser to test and restart the network connection if necessary. Force-killing the process may leave proxy settings uncleared, so exit through the client menu whenever possible.