This article explains how to import a subscription into Clash and troubleshoot issues such as no internet access, an unchanged IP, DNS leaks, or websites not opening in your browser. It’s for everyday users of clients such as Clash for Windows, Clash Verge, and Clash Meta. Follow the steps to import a subscription and perform basic troubleshooting.
1. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Clash
A subscription is usually a link beginning with http or https that contains configurations for multiple nodes. You can use a free node subscription curated on this site, or an existing subscription URL. Don’t post your subscription link in public comment sections, as it could become invalid or be misused.
- Open your Clash client and make sure it has started successfully.
- Go to the Profiles / Config page and click New, Import, or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link and give the configuration an easy-to-recognize name, such as “freevpn subscription.”
- Click Download, Update, or “OK,” then wait for the configuration to finish downloading.
- Return to the Proxies page and select a node or an automatic strategy group.
- On the General page, enable System Proxy.
If the import succeeds but the node list is empty, the subscription URL may have expired, your network may be unable to reach the subscription server, or the client may not support the subscription format. Try pasting the link into a browser to see if it opens. If a YAML file or configuration text downloads, the subscription is accessible.
2. What your IP, DNS, and browser settings affect
Many users assume that importing a subscription automatically enables proxying for all traffic. In fact, Clash mainly handles proxy traffic on your device, and whether it works also depends on your system proxy, DNS, and browser settings.
- IP: The outgoing IP address shown by websites depends on the node you’ve selected and the rule mode. If the system proxy is off, your browser may still use your local network.
- DNS: DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses. DNS issues can result in problems such as “the node is connected, but websites won’t open” or “some websites use my local connection.”
- Browser settings: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox may have their own proxy settings, DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) settings, or proxy extensions that override the system proxy.
- Rule mode: Rule routes traffic according to rules, Global proxies all traffic, and Direct connects directly. For troubleshooting, you can temporarily switch to Global.
Beginners are advised to start with Rule mode, then temporarily switch to Global if a website won’t open to check whether the issue is caused by the rules. To check your IP, search for “what is my IP.” If the displayed location matches your selected node, the proxy is working as expected.
3. Troubleshooting connection issues after importing
Check the following in order to identify most issues:
- Update the subscription: Click Update on the configuration page to avoid using expired nodes.
- Try other nodes: Availability varies between nodes in the same subscription, so test at least three.
- Confirm that the system proxy is enabled: On Windows, check whether Clash has taken over the proxy settings.
- Switch modes: Change from Rule to Global for testing. If Global works, the issue is likely with the rules or DNS.
- Check your browser: Disable proxy extensions, temporarily turn off secure DNS, or try another browser.
- Check the logs: A large number of timeouts in Logs may mean the node is unavailable or your local network is blocking the connection.
If the subscription won’t download, try switching networks, closing other VPN software, and checking that your system clock is correct. An incorrect system time can cause HTTPS certificate validation to fail and prevent the subscription from downloading.
4. Tips for using subscriptions
Free nodes are suitable for temporary learning and testing, but their reliability varies with network conditions. Don’t log in to important accounts or transmit sensitive information through untrusted nodes. For regular use, keep multiple subscription sources, update your configurations regularly, and get into the habit of checking your current node, proxy mode, and IP address. Once you know these steps, importing a subscription into Clash, checking whether it’s working, and handling DNS or browser conflicts will be much easier.