This article answers the question “How do I import nodes into sing-box?” It’s for users who have just installed sing-box and aren’t sure what to do with a free node or subscription link. You’ll learn how to import a subscription, add nodes manually, and check your IP, DNS, and browser environment to avoid situations where you’re “connected” but can’t open any websites.
1. Before importing nodes
sing-box is a proxy core, so on most systems you’ll need to use it with a graphical client. For example, Android has sing-box clients, while Windows and macOS users commonly use proxy tools that support the sing-box core. Before importing anything, check that you have a client installed, your system clock is set correctly, and you have a working node link or subscription URL. This site also provides free nodes for temporary testing, but their reliability can vary, so test them one by one after importing.
- Subscription link: Usually a URL starting with https that lets the client automatically fetch multiple nodes.
- Single-node link: Common formats include vless://, vmess://, and trojan://.
- Configuration file: Some clients support importing json/yaml files, but subscriptions or links are usually the easiest option for most users.
2. General steps for importing a subscription into sing-box
The interface varies slightly between clients, but the general process is the same. Use these steps as a guide:
- Open your sing-box client and go to the “Config,” “Profiles,” “Subscription,” or “Profiles/Groups” page.
- Tap “Add,” “+,” or “Import,” then choose “Import from URL” or “Subscription link.”
- Paste your subscription URL. You can name it “freevpn test” or “Backup nodes.”
- Save it, then tap “Update subscription” and wait for the node list to load.
- Return to the home screen, select a node, and tap Start or Connect.
- Open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to confirm that your exit IP has changed.
If you have a single-node link, choose “Import from Clipboard” or “Import from Clipboard.” After you copy a link such as vless://, the client will usually recognize it automatically. If you get a format error, the link may contain line breaks, be missing parameters, or use a protocol that the client doesn’t support.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Importing a node successfully doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to access websites. Your IP, DNS, and browser environment also need to be set up properly. Your IP determines the apparent location websites see; DNS translates domain names into addresses; and your browser environment includes things like cache, proxy settings, WebRTC, and cookies.
A common issue is that the client shows “Connected,” but websites still won’t load. First, check your proxy mode. In rule mode, some domestic websites connect directly while overseas sites use the proxy. If your rules are outdated, traffic may be routed incorrectly. Beginners can temporarily switch to global mode to test. If it works in global mode, the node itself is probably fine, and the issue is likely with the rules or DNS.
For DNS, enable the built-in DNS in the client or use the client’s recommended settings to prevent your ISP from tampering with DNS requests. For your browser, first disable any other proxy extensions and test in a private window. If a website repeatedly asks you to verify, clear that site’s cookies and try again.
4. Troubleshooting connection failures
- Subscription update fails: Check whether the link has expired. Try switching networks and refreshing.
- Node times out: Try another node in the same subscription. Free nodes may be temporarily unavailable.
- Connected but websites won’t load: Switch to global mode and check your DNS settings.
- Only the browser isn’t working: Disable browser proxy extensions and check whether another app is using the system proxy.
- IP hasn’t changed: Make sure the client is running and has permission to set up a VPN or system proxy.
Finally, it’s a good idea to keep at least two subscription or node sources. After importing, test the latency and accessibility of each node before using it regularly. If something goes wrong, don’t keep reinstalling the app. Troubleshoot in this order: subscription → node → proxy mode → DNS → browser. This will usually help you find the cause.