This article explains how to “import a subscription into Clash” and why, after importing it, you still may not be able to open websites, your IP may not change, DNS may leak, or your browser environment may behave abnormally. It is suitable for ordinary users using Clash for Windows, Clash Verge, or Clash Meta clients for the first time. Just follow the steps to complete subscription import and basic troubleshooting.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
A Clash subscription is essentially a configuration link containing nodes, proxy rules, and group information. You can use your existing subscription, or get an available subscription link from this site’s free nodes page. Before importing, it is recommended to confirm three things: the client is fully installed; the subscription link has no extra spaces; and your local system time and network are normal.
- Open the Clash client and find the Profiles / Configuration / Subscription page.
- Click “New Profile,” “Add Subscription,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link, and enter “freevpn-x” or a custom name as the profile name.
- Click download, update, or save, and wait for the configuration to finish downloading.
- Go back to the proxy page and select a node or an automatic speed-test group.
- Enable the system proxy, and if necessary enable Tun mode, then test access.
If it says the download failed, first open the subscription link in your browser to test whether it is accessible. If the browser also cannot open it, the subscription link may be invalid, the network may be blocked, or the address may have been copied incorrectly. If the browser can open it but the client fails, try switching the client core, disabling security software blocking, or changing networks and trying again.
2. The relationship between subscription import and IP, DNS, and browser environment
Many people assume that importing a subscription means global proxying is enabled, but in fact it still depends on the mode. Clash commonly has three modes: Rule, Global, and Direct. Rule routes traffic according to rules, Global sends all traffic through the proxy, and Direct connects directly. To confirm whether it is working, visit an IP-check website and see whether the outbound IP has changed to the region of the selected node.
DNS also affects the experience. If webpages do not open, resolve to the wrong address, or some websites still show local restrictions, DNS may not be going through the proxy or may be polluted by your ISP. Ordinary users should prioritize the client’s default DNS settings. If Tun mode is enabled, it is recommended to also enable the client’s built-in DNS and avoid installing multiple proxy programs on the system at the same time that compete for network control.
The browser environment is equally important. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox may have issues such as cache, extension-based proxying, or WebRTC leaks. When troubleshooting, it is recommended to test in an incognito window, temporarily disable other proxy extensions, and clear cookies for the target website. If only one browser fails while others work normally, the problem is most likely not with the subscription, but with the browser configuration.
3. Quick troubleshooting checklist for connection failures
- Subscription cannot be updated: check whether the link is complete and try copying it into a browser to open it.
- A node can be selected but cannot access websites: switch to another node and confirm that the system proxy is enabled.
- The IP does not change: check whether you are in Direct mode, or whether the browser is using separate proxy settings.
- Some websites do not open: switch between Rule and Global for testing to rule out rule or DNS issues.
- The client has no network access: exit other VPNs, accelerators, and proxy extensions, then restart Clash.
Finally, a reminder: free nodes can be used for learning and temporary access, but stability will vary with network conditions. If you encounter problems, do not just keep re-importing the subscription. Check in the order of “subscription link — proxy mode — node selection — DNS — browser environment,” and you can usually identify the cause quickly.