This article explains how to import nodes into sing-box, including importing from a subscription link or a local configuration file, and troubleshooting common issues related to IP addresses, DNS, and browser settings after import. It’s intended for everyday users who are new to sing-box.
1. What to prepare before importing
sing-box is a proxy core. Many users access it through a graphical client, such as a sing-box client for Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS. Before importing a node, make sure you have valid node information. Common formats include a subscription link, a share link, or a complete JSON configuration file. This site also lists some free nodes. We recommend testing connectivity before using them, and advise against using free nodes to log in to important accounts.
- Subscription link: Usually a long https link, suitable for bulk imports and updates.
- Share link: Such as vless://, vmess://, or trojan://, suitable for a single node.
- Configuration file: Usually named config.json, suitable for importing a complete set of rules.
2. Basic steps for importing nodes into sing-box
Interfaces vary slightly between clients, but the overall process is much the same. Here are the steps for a typical graphical client:
- Open the sing-box client and go to the “Configuration,” “Profiles,” or “Subscriptions” page.
- Click “Add,” “+,” or “New Profile.”
- For a subscription link, select URL/Remote Profile, paste in the link, save it, and then click Update.
- For a local file, select Local/File and import the config.json file.
- Return to the home page, select the configuration you just imported, and click Start or Connect.
- Open a browser and visit a site such as ipinfo.io or whatismyip to check whether your exit IP has changed.
If the client reports a format error, the link may not have been copied in full, the subscription content may be in a format that sing-box doesn’t support, or the JSON configuration file may contain a syntax error. In that case, try a different subscription address or use the client’s built-in “Check Configuration” feature to find the error.
3. How nodes, IP addresses, DNS, and browser settings are related
Successfully importing a node doesn’t guarantee that websites will work normally in your browser. sing-box forwards traffic through the proxy node, so external websites will usually see the node’s exit IP. DNS resolves domain names; if DNS requests aren’t routed through the proxy, you may encounter interference, incorrect results, or slow access. Browser settings also include cache, cookies, language, time zone, and WebRTC, which may not match your exit IP.
In simple terms: the node determines your exit IP, DNS affects whether domain names resolve correctly, and browser settings affect how websites identify the source of your visits. For everyday browsing, the client’s default rules are usually fine. If a particular website is especially sensitive, try clearing your browser cache, disabling WebRTC to prevent leaks, or testing in a private browsing window in another browser.
4. Troubleshooting connection failures
- First, check whether the node has expired: If the subscription update fails or a node has been unavailable for a long time, try another node.
- Check your system time: A significant time discrepancy can cause TLS handshake failures.
- Switch networks: Try using a mobile hotspot instead of Wi-Fi to rule out local network restrictions.
- Switch modes: Try global mode or rule mode to confirm whether the issue is with the routing rules.
- Check DNS: Try enabling remote DNS in the client or using the recommended default settings.
- Check the logs: Search for keywords such as timeout, tls, dns, and refused to identify the cause.
If you can connect but webpages won’t load, the issue is often related to DNS, rules, or the browser cache. If all nodes time out, first suspect the local network, client permissions, or an expired subscription. Change one setting at a time to avoid making things worse.
5. Tips for use
After importing nodes, keep a working configuration as a backup and update your subscription regularly. Free nodes are suitable for temporary testing and basic access, but their reliability can’t be guaranteed. Be careful when choosing a network for payments, work accounts, or private data. In general, knowing how to import a subscription, start a connection, check your IP, and troubleshoot DNS and browser settings will help resolve most issues that arise after importing nodes into sing-box.