How to Import a Subscription in Clash: IP, DNS, Browser Settings, and Troubleshooting

This article explains how to import a subscription into Clash and troubleshoot problems such as no internet access after importing, websites failing to load, unusual IP results, DNS pollution, or inconsistent browser environments. It’s intended for everyday users who have just installed a client such as Clash, Clash Verge, or Clash for Windows. Follow the steps below to import your subscription and perform basic troubleshooting.

1. Basic steps for importing a Clash subscription

A Clash subscription is usually a URL containing multiple proxy nodes and routing rules. The free node pages on this site may also provide subscriptions or node details for importing, as needed. Refer to the latest instructions on the page.

1. Open the Clash client and go to the Profiles / Configuration page.
2. Look for a button such as “New Profile,” “Import from URL,” “Download from URL,” or similar.
3. Paste in your subscription link. Avoid changing any characters in the URL manually.
4. Click Download, Import, or Update, and wait for the configuration file to appear in the list.
5. Select the newly imported configuration, then return to the Proxy page and choose an available node.
6. Enable the system proxy. For testing, start with Rule or Global mode.

If the client reports a YAML error, a download failure, or an empty configuration, the subscription link may have expired, the subscription URL may be inaccessible from your network, the link may not have been copied in full, or the subscription format may not be compatible with your client.

2. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related after importing a subscription

Many users assume that importing a subscription is all it takes, but three other factors matter: IP, DNS, and your browser environment. Your IP determines the public address websites see; DNS determines whether domain lookups are being polluted; and your browser environment includes factors such as cache, proxy settings, WebRTC, and account sign-in status.

• IP: After enabling the proxy, visit an IP lookup website. It should show the exit IP of your selected node, not the IP of your local broadband or mobile network.
• DNS: If DNS is being polluted, you may be able to connect to a node but still be unable to open certain websites. Try switching to the client’s built-in DNS, Fake-IP, or enhanced mode.
• Browser environment: Browser cache, extensions, WebRTC leaks, or the region associated with a signed-in account may cause a page to show a region that doesn’t match your proxy IP.

Importing a Clash subscription is only the first step. For it to work properly, make sure the system proxy is enabled, the node has normal latency, and DNS resolution is stable. Test in an incognito window or a fresh browser environment.

3. Common troubleshooting steps for connection failures

If you’ve imported a subscription but can’t access the internet, work through the following steps in order instead of repeatedly reinstalling the client.

1. Check that the subscription updated successfully: go to Profiles and click Update manually to see if an error appears.
2. Switch nodes: don’t test just one node. Choose a connection with low latency that you can reach.
3. Make sure the system proxy is enabled: some clients only import the configuration and don’t automatically route system traffic through the proxy.
4. Switch modes: if Rule mode doesn’t work, temporarily switch to Global for testing. If Global works, there may be an issue with the rules or DNS.
5. Close conflicting software: other VPNs, proxy extensions, or antivirus network filters may be using the same port.
6. Restart the browser and client: this is especially important after changing subscriptions or nodes, as old connections may still be cached.

If only one website won’t open, check the rules and DNS first. If no websites open, check the node, port, system proxy, and local network. Mobile hotspots and corporate or campus networks may also restrict proxy connections, so try another network.

4. Important notes on using subscriptions

Your subscription link is the entry point to your configuration, so don’t share it publicly. Free nodes can be useful for occasional learning and testing, but their reliability may vary over time. Get into the habit of updating your subscription regularly, backing up working configurations, and deleting expired ones. If you run into problems, checking the client log for keywords such as error, timeout, or DNS is more effective than switching software without a clear reason.