This article answers the common question “How do I import nodes into sing-box?” It covers importing from a subscription link or a single node link, and explains why your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect what you see after connecting. It’s intended for everyday users who have just installed sing-box and aren’t sure how to add nodes or troubleshoot a connection that doesn’t work after importing.
1. What to prepare before importing
sing-box is a proxy core, and its graphical client interface varies somewhat across platforms. For example, button names may differ between Android, Windows, and macOS clients, but the basic process is the same: add a configuration, select a node, and start the proxy. Before importing, make sure you have a working sing-box client installed and have one of the following ready:
- A working node link, such as vless://, vmess://, or trojan://.
- Or a subscription link, usually starting with https://, which can update multiple nodes at once.
- Make sure your system clock is correct. A significant time difference can cause the TLS handshake to fail.
- Make sure your internet connection is working. We recommend opening a regular website in your browser first.
We also compile free node resources. When using them, we recommend choosing an address that supports subscription updates, so you can refresh your nodes later without having to copy them manually each time.
2. Importing nodes using a subscription link
If you have a subscription address, we recommend importing it as a subscription. That way, you can update your nodes with a single click whenever they change. The general steps are as follows:
- Open the sing-box client and go to the “Configuration,” “Subscription,” or “Profiles” page.
- Click “Add,” “New Profile,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste in the subscription link. You can name it “freevpn” or choose a custom name.
- Save it, then click “Update Subscription” or “Update” and wait for the client to fetch the configuration.
- Return to the home page, select the imported configuration or a node, and start the connection.
If the list is empty after importing, the client is usually not at fault. The subscription link may be unreachable, its format may not be supported by your client, or your network may be blocking the subscription request. Try opening the link in a browser to see whether it returns any content.
3. How to import a single node link
If you only have a vless:// or trojan:// node link, choose “Import from Clipboard” or “Add Manually.” The usual process is to copy the entire node link, open the client, click the import button, and select an option such as Clipboard, URI, or Share Link. Once imported, the node will appear in your outbound or proxy list.
Make sure the node link is complete and includes all parameters, such as uuid, server, port, security, and sni. This is especially important for VLESS Reality and TLS nodes: if a parameter is missing, the import may appear successful even though the connection won’t work. If you’re a new user, avoid changing the parameters; just change the node name if needed.
4. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Once sing-box is connected, websites will usually see the proxy node’s exit IP rather than your local broadband IP. You can check whether your apparent location has changed by visiting an IP lookup website. If your IP hasn’t changed, your browser may not be using the proxy, or the client’s system proxy or TUN mode may not be enabled.
DNS also affects your browsing experience. Even with the proxy connected, if DNS requests are still being resolved by your local network, some websites may not load, resolve to the wrong address, or leak DNS requests. If your client has options such as “Remote DNS,” “FakeIP,” or “TUN DNS,” use the recommended default settings where possible. If you’re unfamiliar with these settings, avoid mixing and matching them.
Your browser environment matters too. Some websites assess your environment using a combination of cookies, language, time zone, WebRTC, and login history. For example, even if your IP has switched to another country, your browsing results may still be inconsistent if your browser language is Chinese or your account’s login history shows an unusual location. When troubleshooting, try using a private window or temporarily disabling WebRTC browser extensions that could expose your real IP.
5. Quick troubleshooting for connection failures
- Startup fails: Check that the configuration imported correctly and that your client isn’t outdated.
- Connected, but websites won’t load: Switch to another node and check whether the system proxy or TUN is enabled.
- Subscription update fails: Make sure the subscription address is reachable. If necessary, switch networks and try again.
- Only some websites won’t load: Check your DNS settings first and try the client’s default DNS policy.
In short, importing nodes into sing-box is straightforward: import a subscription link from a URL, or import a single node from your clipboard or as a URI. After connecting, check whether your IP has changed, whether DNS is going through the proxy, and whether your browser environment is clean. Following these steps in order will help you diagnose most cases where an import succeeds but the connection doesn’t work.