If your Privacy Hero router suddenly loses internet access, devices report that WiFi has no internet, or devices will not stay connected after a VPN failure, the VPN Kill Switch may be blocking normal internet traffic.

The VPN Kill Switch is designed to prevent traffic from passing through Privacy Hero without VPN protection. If the VPN disconnects or fails while the Kill Switch is enabled, normal internet access is intentionally blocked.

Important: You can still access app.privacyhero.com to manage Privacy Hero, turn off the Kill Switch, or repair the VPN connection.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed, so you do not need to be connected to the Privacy Hero WiFi to change these settings. You can also access the dashboard using cellular data, your main router’s WiFi, or another internet connection as long as Privacy Hero remains connected to the internet and Privacy Hero cloud.

Common Privacy Hero Kill Switch Symptoms

A failed VPN connection combined with an enabled Kill Switch can make the Privacy Hero network appear unavailable even though the router itself may still be functioning.

Common symptoms include:

Your device connects to Privacy Hero WiFi but websites and apps will not load.
Your phone, computer, television, or streaming device reports that WiFi has no internet.
A device refuses to remain connected because it detects that the WiFi network does not currently provide normal internet access.
Your phone automatically switches from Privacy Hero WiFi to cellular data or another saved WiFi network.
Your computer displays “No Internet” or “Connected without Internet.”
The VPN displays Failed, Disconnected, Connecting, or a timeout error.
Privacy Hero was working normally and suddenly stopped providing internet access.

If the Privacy Hero WiFi network itself is completely missing and cannot be detected by any device, that is different from normal Kill Switch behavior. Continue with WiFi or router connectivity troubleshooting instead.

Restore Internet Access

The fastest way to determine whether the Kill Switch is responsible is to temporarily disable it and test Privacy Hero without VPN.

Open app.privacyhero.com.
Sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
Open the VPN section.
Check the current VPN status.
If the VPN shows Failed or Disconnected, turn the VPN Kill Switch Off.
Turn the failed VPN connection off.
Connect a device to the Privacy Hero network.
Test normal internet access.

If internet access returns with the VPN and Kill Switch disabled, Privacy Hero’s basic internet connection is working and the problem is isolated to the VPN connection.

Important: Disabling the Kill Switch allows normal non-VPN internet traffic through Privacy Hero. Leave it disabled only while troubleshooting if continuous VPN protection is required.

VPN Still Fails to Connect

Do not turn the Kill Switch back on until the VPN is connected and working.

If you are using NordVPN and the VPN shows Failed, Connecting, or a timeout error, continue with our dedicated Privacy Hero NordVPN Not Connecting or Showing Timeout Errors guide.

That guide covers:

Selecting a different NordVPN server.
Replacing a failed Auto Country connection with a specific NordVPN server.
Generating a new NordVPN NordLynx access token.
Verifying NordVPN OpenVPN manual service credentials.
Avoiding double-VPN conflicts while testing.

If you use another VPN provider, try another available VPN server or protocol and verify that your VPN account and credentials remain active.

Verify the VPN Before Re-Enabling the Kill Switch

Once the VPN reconnects:

Confirm Privacy Hero displays the VPN as Connected.
Connect a device to the Privacy Hero WiFi.
Make sure a separate VPN application is not connected directly on the testing device.
Check your public IP address.
Confirm the IP address and location reflect the VPN server you selected.
Test normal websites and applications.
Return to Privacy Hero and enable the VPN Kill Switch.

If you enable the Kill Switch while the VPN is still failing, normal internet access will be blocked again.

What If Privacy Hero Appears Offline?

If Privacy Hero shows Offline in the dashboard, the router may not currently be communicating with the Privacy Hero cloud.

Confirm Privacy Hero is powered on.
Confirm the Ethernet cable from your ISP gateway or primary router is connected to the Privacy Hero WAN/Internet port.
Confirm your ISP gateway or primary router has working internet access.
Restart Privacy Hero and allow it to finish booting.
Using another internet connection, open app.privacyhero.com.
Check whether Privacy Hero returns online.

If the router returns online, check the VPN and Kill Switch status before enabling the VPN again.

Privacy Hero Has a WAN IP but Devices Have No Internet

Privacy Hero can receive an IP address from your ISP gateway while the Kill Switch is still blocking normal internet traffic.

Before changing IP Passthrough, bridge mode, firewall settings, or other ISP gateway settings:

Check the VPN status.
Check whether the Kill Switch is enabled.
Disable the VPN and Kill Switch temporarily.
Test internet access again.

If internet access returns, troubleshoot the VPN connection rather than changing the ISP gateway configuration.

Kill Switch, WiFi, or WAN Problem?

WiFi Connects but There Is No Internet

If the VPN shows Failed or Disconnected and the Kill Switch is enabled, the Kill Switch is likely blocking normal internet traffic.

Device Will Not Stay Connected to Privacy Hero WiFi

Some devices automatically leave a WiFi network when they detect that it does not provide internet access. Use cellular data or another internet connection to access app.privacyhero.com and check the VPN and Kill Switch.

Privacy Hero WiFi Is Completely Missing

The Kill Switch does not normally cause the WiFi network itself to stop broadcasting. If no devices can detect the Privacy Hero WiFi network, troubleshoot the WiFi or router connection separately.

Privacy Hero Is Not Receiving a WAN IP Address

Check the Ethernet connection between Privacy Hero and your ISP gateway or primary router and confirm the upstream internet connection is working.

VPN Shows Connected but One Device Has the Wrong IP

If the VPN works correctly on other devices, the Kill Switch is probably not the issue. Check that device’s Privacy Hero VPN assignment and its own VPN, privacy, DNS, or security settings.

See Device Privacy, DNS, VPN, and Security Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Privacy Hero WiFi say no internet?

If the VPN has failed while the Kill Switch is enabled, normal internet traffic is intentionally blocked. Your device may therefore report that Privacy Hero WiFi has no internet.

Can I access Privacy Hero settings while the Kill Switch is blocking internet?

Yes. Open app.privacyhero.com. You can use the Privacy Hero network, cellular data, your main router’s WiFi, or another internet connection.

Do I have to be connected to Privacy Hero WiFi to change the settings?

No. Privacy Hero is cloud-managed and can be managed remotely while the router remains connected to the Privacy Hero cloud.

Why does my phone keep leaving the Privacy Hero WiFi?

Some phones automatically switch to cellular data or another saved WiFi network when the current WiFi connection does not provide normal internet access.

Should I turn the Kill Switch back on immediately?

Only after the VPN is connected and you have confirmed that your internet traffic is using the VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

VPN FAQs

General VPN FAQ Answers

What is a VPN?

VPN is an acronym for ‘Virtual Private Network’, historically used by private organizations to seamlessly link geographically diverse locations via the Internet. A VPN ‘tunnels’ traffic between two devices by transmitting it over a secure network. There are also clearly identifiable benefits to individual Internet users accessing a VPN.

A VPN provides you with top-level security and privacy for all your Internet downloading, streaming and browsing. As long as you are signed into your VPN account, all data you transmit over the Internet is encrypted.
A VPN encrypts your device by hiding the IP address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and replacing it with the IP address of your choosing from the list of server locations belonging to your VPN provider. This masks your identity when visiting sites that geo-restricted content, and helps you avoid devious local Internet marketing and advertising schemes that track you through your IP address.

Will a FlashRouter with a built-in VPN client speed up my connection?

FlashRouters are relatively new models that may enhance data transfers across your home network or extend the range of your Wireless signal. However, the speed at which you download or stream content can not exceed the speed of the connection you pay for through your ISP. Purchasing a FlashRouter or signing up for VPN service WILL NOT transform your regular connection into a high-speed broadband connection.

At the same time, if you do have a broadband connection, a FlashRouter with a VPN connection may slow down your transfer speeds due to the processor encrypting all of your data. In certain cases a FlashRouter with a VPN can also prevent throttling by an ISP of specific service like Netflix or Amazon Video.

Which VPN provider should I use?

Our routers have been tested to perform with many of the most popular VPN providers such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish, PrivateInternetAccess & CyberGhost among 50+ VPN providers so that subscribers can get the maximum benefit from their VPN service. If you prefer another provider, that is not an issue at all. You can still use a DD-WRT VPN FlashRouter with any VPN provider that offers DD-WRT router integration support. Contact our team for further information about using our routers with your VPN service of choice or if you need a VPN provider recommendation based on your location.

Should my FlashRouter replace my old router?

A FlashRouter will work as a standalone router by connecting your modem to its Wide Area Network (WAN) port, or using it in a Dual Router Network by connecting it to your existing router through a Local Area Network (LAN)/Ethernet port. Either way a FlashRouter can be configured to tunnel all traffic through the VPN server of your choosing.

If you would like to set up your Home Network so that some devices are being tunneled through a VPN server, and others are connecting to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) within your home country, then using your FlashRouter as an auxiliary device is recommended.

VPN Security FAQ Answers

Can I change my IP address to one in another country?

YES! The countries that you can change your IP address to depend on the offerings of your specific VPN providers. Prices and server locations vary across all VPN providers.

If you choose to purchase a FlashRouter then you will not have to install any VPN client software on your computer to change your IP address; the VPN will already be configured within the router. Therefore, any device you plug into this FlashRouter is automatically assigned the IP address of your selected VPN server.

When is my connection secure?

As long as the VPN account preset into your FlashRouter is active, any device that is connected to the Internet through this router has its network traffic encrypted, and IP address masked. With a FlashRouter you never have to physically login to your VPN account, as the settings have been stored in the router’s DD-WRT firmware.

Don’t worry though! If you are not at home, and using Wi-Fi in a public location, you can still use your VPN account on a laptop or mobile device through various other methods.

How can I be sure my connection is safe and encrypted?

In order to make sure that the connection on your FlashRouter is being rerouted appropriately through your VPN service, visit What is my IP address and make sure the location listed is the one you have chosen in your VPN settings, NOT your actual location.

If you wish, there is an Internet Kill Switch available as well for your router which will block the internet whenever you disconnect from VPN.

What VPN connection standards are supported on a FlashRouter?

Currently we support the OpenVPN protocol for VPN client connections. PPTP VPN has been deemed as insecure by the privacy community and so we no longer offer support for PPTP VPN connections.

Technical VPN FAQ Answers

What operating systems do you support?

A FlashRouter can be used with any operating system, be it Windows, Mac OS or Linux. A FlashRouter can also be used as a wireless access point for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

Our routers also work in conjunction with any other brand of router of ADSL or DSL modem/router combo from ISPs across the world.

Can I set up a VPN on a PS4, Xbox One, Kindle Fire, Roku, AppleTV or other devices without native VPN support?

THAT’S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR!

If you purchase one of our FlashRouters loaded with DD-WRT firmware, you can run the client VPN connection from your router. Once you do this every device connected to the router will tunnel through the VPN.

Now you can stream content like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Pandora Hulu, or Amazon Instant to your TV through any of these devices, instead of being constrained to streaming content on your computer!

If you need a recommendation for a VPN service with a specific streaming platform do not hesitate to contact our support team.

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