This guide explains how to add a v2rayNG subscription and troubleshoot issues that may persist afterward, such as websites not loading, an unexpected IP address, DNS leaks, or browser environment problems. It’s intended for Android users who are new to v2rayNG. Follow the steps to import and update a subscription, then perform basic troubleshooting.
1. Get a subscription link and add it to v2rayNG
v2rayNG is a popular Android client for V2Ray/VLESS/VMess. Subscription links are usually provided by node service providers. This site also collects information about available free nodes; check the latest content on the page before using them. Before adding a subscription, make sure your phone has a working internet connection and that the system time is set to update automatically.
- Open v2rayNG and tap the “+” icon or the menu button in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Subscription settings” or “Import subscription from clipboard.” The wording may vary slightly between versions.
- Tap “Add subscription” and enter a recognizable name in “Remarks,” such as “Free nodes.”
- Paste the copied subscription URL into the “Address” field and save it.
- Return to the main screen, open the menu in the upper-right corner, and tap “Update subscription.”
- When the node list appears, select a node and tap the connect button in the lower-right corner.
If no nodes appear after importing, first check that the subscription link was copied in full, especially the https:// prefix and any parameters at the end. Some subscription links require internet access to update, so try switching networks.
2. After connecting, check your IP, DNS, and browser environment
The “Connected” status in v2rayNG only means that the local proxy is running; it doesn’t necessarily mean all traffic is being routed as expected. After connecting, use a browser to visit an IP lookup site and check whether your public IP matches the node’s location. If the IP still belongs to your local provider, common causes include not granting the system VPN permission, an unavailable node, or routing rules that don’t include your browser.
DNS primarily affects domain name resolution. If DNS requests still go through your local network, websites may fail to load, redirect to local results, or behave unexpectedly. In v2rayNG settings, you can check the options related to “Routing” and “DNS.” Most users should stick with the client’s recommended defaults and avoid mixing multiple accelerators or private DNS services.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. For example, browser cache, the region associated with your signed-in account, WebRTC, local language, and time zone can all lead a website to conclude that you’re still in your original region. If the results don’t match, try an incognito window, clear the site’s cache, or test with another browser. Note that these are browser fingerprinting issues and don’t mean that adding a subscription in v2rayNG failed.
3. Troubleshoot subscription update and connection failures
- Subscription won’t update: Check whether the link has expired or contains extra spaces. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then try again.
- Node latency shows -1: The node may be temporarily unavailable. Try another node from the same subscription.
- Connected but websites won’t load: Restart v2rayNG and make sure the VPN icon is visible at the top of the screen.
- Some apps work, but the browser doesn’t: Check whether the browser has its own proxy settings, private DNS, or extensions enabled.
- Old nodes are still listed after an update: Back up the list first, then clear it and update the subscription again.
When troubleshooting, change only one setting at a time. Changing routing, DNS, browser, and system network settings all at once makes it harder to identify the cause. For most users, the safest approach is to copy the subscription link again, update the subscription, try another node, check the IP, then check DNS and browser cache.
4. Subscription tips
Subscriptions let you manage multiple nodes at once. When nodes change, you can simply tap Update instead of importing them one by one. Free nodes may stop working, become congested, or change regions; this is common and doesn’t mean the client is broken. Consider keeping one or two backup subscriptions and updating them regularly. If you only need to browse temporarily, use the default routing settings. For app-specific routing, go to the routing settings and adjust them as needed.