This article explains how to configure a WS TLS node and why the same node may behave differently across networks, DNS settings, or browser environments. It’s intended for everyday users who have a V2Ray/VLESS/VMess WS+TLS node but aren’t sure where to enter the details, can’t connect, or can’t open webpages.
1. Understand what information a WS TLS node requires
WS is a WebSocket transport, and TLS is the encryption layer. The combination is commonly written as ws+tls or websocket+tls. When importing a node, the client typically requires these fields:
- Address: Usually a domain name; don’t change it to an IP address without a good reason.
- Port: Commonly 443, but the provider may specify a different port.
- User ID: The VLESS/VMess UUID. Copy it in full.
- Transport protocol: Select WebSocket / ws.
- TLS: Enable it. The SNI is usually the node’s domain name.
- Path: For example, /abc or /ray. Match the capitalization and slashes exactly.
- Host: Some clients call this the disguised domain or the request header Host. Enter the value provided with the node.
If you’re using this site’s free nodes, we recommend importing them via the subscription link to avoid missing details such as the Path, SNI, or Host when configuring them manually.
2. Importing with V2RayN / Clash / sing-box
- Copy the node link or subscription URL. Make sure the source is trustworthy, and don’t manually remove any parameters.
- Open the client and select “Import from clipboard” or “Subscription management.”
- Update the subscription, find the node, and check that the transport is ws and TLS is enabled.
- If you need to edit the node manually, double-check the address, port, UUID, Path, SNI, and Host.
- Select rule mode or global mode, connect, and then visit a test webpage.
In Clash-based clients, common WS TLS fields include server, port, uuid, network: ws, tls: true, servername, ws-opts.path, and ws-opts.headers.Host. sing-box may display transport.type: ws and tls.server_name. The names differ, but their meanings are essentially the same.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment affect the connection
Don’t change the domain name to an IP address without a good reason. WS TLS nodes typically rely on the domain name for the TLS handshake and SNI verification. Replacing it with an IP may cause a certificate mismatch, handshake failure, or connection timeout. Keep the original domain unless the node provider explicitly instructs you to use an IP address.
DNS determines where a domain name resolves. If your local DNS is being tampered with or returning incorrect results, the client may connect to the wrong address. To troubleshoot, you can enable remote DNS, Fake-IP, or built-in DNS in the client, or test the connection on a different network. Note that options vary between clients. You don’t need to enable them all; start with the default recommended settings.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. If the system proxy isn’t handling traffic, the browser has a proxy extension installed, or DNS over HTTPS is enabled separately, you may find that “the client says it’s connected, but webpages won’t open.” For testing, first disable browser proxy extensions, use an incognito window, and make sure the client is in system proxy or Tun mode.
4. Quick checklist for troubleshooting connection failures
- Check the time: An incorrect device clock can cause TLS certificate verification to fail.
- Check the Path, Host, and SNI: These are the easiest values to get wrong, especially if there’s an extra space or a missing slash.
- Check the protocol: VLESS and VMess aren’t interchangeable, and the UUID must be entered in the correct field.
- Check the network: Company networks, campus networks, and public Wi-Fi may block ports other than 443.
- Try another node: A single free node may be temporarily unavailable. That doesn’t necessarily mean your client is misconfigured.
In short, the key to configuring a WS TLS node is to keep the “domain, TLS, SNI, Host, and Path” consistent. Prefer importing via a subscription, and check each field when configuring manually. If you run into problems, troubleshoot the IP, DNS, and browser proxy settings in turn; this will usually help pinpoint most connection failures.