This guide addresses the practical question of how to import a subscription into Clash. Once you have a subscription link, learn how to add it to the Clash client, update it, and select a node. It also explains how importing a subscription relates to your IP address, DNS, and browser proxy settings, helping you avoid the common problem of “the subscription imported, but websites won’t open.”
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Clash is a proxy client, so you’ll need a working subscription link first. A subscription is usually a URL beginning with http or https that contains node information. You can use a subscription from a service you already have, or try the free node resources curated on this site. Keep in mind that free nodes can vary in reliability, so test whether they connect successfully.
- Make sure you have installed Clash Verge, Clash for Windows, ClashX, or another Clash-compatible client.
- Copy the complete subscription link, including any parameters at the end.
- Make sure your device’s network can access the subscription URL; otherwise, importing may fail.
2. General steps for importing a subscription into Clash
- Open the Clash client and find the Profiles, configuration, subscription, or configuration files page.
- Click New, Import, Import from URL, or Add Subscription.
- Paste in the subscription link. You can enter a name such as “Free Nodes” or “Regular Subscription.”
- Click Download, Save, or Update, then wait for the client to fetch the configuration.
- Go back to the Proxy or Proxies page, select a node, and start with Rule or Global mode for testing.
- Enable the system proxy. The button is usually labeled System Proxy or Set as System Proxy.
If the import succeeds but the list is empty, the subscription format may be incompatible, the link may have expired, the network may be unable to access the subscription URL, or the client version may be outdated. Try updating the subscription first, then try a client with a Clash Meta / Mihomo core.
3. How importing a subscription affects your IP address
When Clash is running and a node is selected, websites you visit in your browser will usually see the selected node’s IP address as your outgoing IP. You can verify this on an IP lookup website. If your IP hasn’t changed, check these three things first: Is the system proxy enabled? Is your browser bypassing the system proxy? Is Clash in Direct mode?
Note that importing a subscription doesn’t automatically route all your software through the proxy. Some download managers, games, and standalone apps don’t use the system proxy, so you’ll need to configure the proxy address separately. This is commonly 127.0.0.1 and the port shown in the client.
4. Do you need to change DNS or browser settings?
Many connection failures are caused by DNS issues, not faulty nodes. Clash configurations usually include DNS rules, which ordinary users should avoid changing without a good reason. If websites won’t open or some domains resolve incorrectly, try enabling the client’s built-in DNS, or switching to a mode supported by your configuration, such as Enhanced Mode / Fake-IP.
If you have a proxy extension installed in your browser, it may conflict with Clash. For testing, disable other proxy extensions and use only Clash’s system proxy. If your browser reports certificate errors, a location mismatch, or login problems, the cause may be account security checks, cookies, or browser fingerprinting—not necessarily an issue with your Clash subscription.
5. Common troubleshooting checklist
- Subscription update fails: Check that the link is complete, try another network, or try again later.
- Node times out: Switch nodes, or test using Rule / Global mode.
- Websites open but are very slow: Try a low-latency node and avoid saturating your bandwidth with simultaneous downloads.
- Only the browser works: Enter the proxy port manually in other software.
- Domestic websites have problems: Use Rule mode to avoid routing all traffic through the proxy.
In short, importing a subscription into Clash involves adding the subscription URL, updating the configuration, selecting a node, and enabling the system proxy. If it still doesn’t work, check your IP, DNS, browser extensions, and proxy mode one by one to quickly identify the issue.