This article addresses common issues around “how to import a subscription into Clash” as well as problems after importing, such as being unable to access websites, no IP change, DNS leaks, or browsers still failing to open pages. It is suitable for ordinary users who have just obtained a subscription link or this site’s free node links. Just follow the steps to complete the import and basic troubleshooting.
1. Things to confirm before importing a subscription
Common Clash-based clients include Clash Verge, older versions of Clash for Windows, and Clash Meta-based clients. Although interface labels may vary slightly, the core process is the same: add the subscription URL to “配置/Profiles”, update the configuration, then select a node and mode.
- A subscription link usually starts with http or https, not a single vmess, vless, or ss node string.
- When copying the link, do not include spaces, Chinese punctuation, or extra explanatory text.
- If the link comes from a free node page, it may be updated regularly, so it is recommended to use the “subscription” instead of copying nodes one by one manually.
- Your computer’s system time must be accurate; otherwise, some TLS nodes may fail to connect.
2. Standard steps for importing a subscription into Clash
- Open the Clash client and go to the “Profiles / 配置 / 订阅” page.
- Click “New / 添加 / Import from URL”.
- Paste the subscription link there. For the name, you can use “freevpn-x” or any custom name.
- Click download, save, or update, and wait for the configuration to finish fetching.
- Go to the “Proxies / 节点” page and select an available node.
- Turn on the system proxy switch. It is recommended to choose Rule mode first; if access still fails, temporarily switch to Global mode for testing.
If it says the download failed, first try opening the subscription link in a browser to test whether it is accessible. If the browser cannot open it either, the link may be invalid, blocked by the network, or copied incorrectly.
3. How IP, DNS, and the browser environment are related
Many users assume that once the subscription is imported successfully, they will definitely be able to bypass restrictions. In fact, it also depends on whether the IP, DNS, and browser proxy are working correctly. Importing a subscription only places the node configuration into the client; for it to actually take effect, you need to enable the proxy and make the browser traffic go through Clash.
Check the IP: after connecting to a node, visit an IP lookup website. If the displayed outbound IP is still your local ISP’s, it usually means the system proxy is not enabled, the browser is using a separate proxy extension, or the software mode did not switch successfully.
Check DNS: if webpages show resolution failures or some websites cannot be opened, the DNS may be polluted or the rules may not be matching. It is recommended to enable the built-in DNS in Clash settings, or use the client’s default DNS configuration. Do not casually mix multiple proxy programs.
Check the browser: Chrome and Edge usually follow the system proxy; Firefox may use its own proxy settings. If Firefox cannot access websites, go to network settings and choose “Use system proxy settings”. Also disable other VPNs and proxy extensions to avoid conflicts.
4. Troubleshooting connection failures after importing
- Subscription update failed: copy the link again and make sure it has not expired; try updating again after switching networks.
- The node shows a timeout: test other nodes instead, as the availability of free nodes may fluctuate.
- You can chat but cannot open webpages: try switching between Rule and Global modes, and check the DNS settings.
- The software shows no logs: make sure the system proxy is enabled. On Windows, you can restart the client and run it as administrator.
- The browser is still connecting directly: disable proxy extensions, clear the browser’s proxy settings, and reopen the webpage.
Summary: the key steps for importing a subscription into Clash are “add the URL, update the configuration, select a node, and enable the proxy.” If the import succeeds but it still does not work, first troubleshoot from three directions: whether the IP has changed, whether DNS is working properly, and whether the browser is following the system proxy. This site will organize testable free nodes and subscription tutorials, but free resources may fluctuate, so it is recommended to prepare several backup nodes.