This guide explains how to import a subscription into Clash and why you might still be unable to open websites afterward, see the wrong IP address, experience DNS leaks, or encounter browser environment issues. It’s intended for everyday users who have just received a subscription link, free nodes, or a VPN subscription. Follow the steps below to complete the basic setup.
1. What to prepare before importing a Clash subscription
Clash is only a proxy client; you need a subscription link to provide the node configuration. You can use an existing subscription or copy a subscription address after checking the free node information on this site. Note that subscription links usually start with https. Don’t mistake a webpage address, a screenshot of a QR code, or an individual node’s label for a subscription address.
- Common desktop clients: Clash Verge, forked versions of Clash for Windows, and others.
- Common mobile clients: Clash Meta for Android, Stash, Shadowrocket, and other compatible clients.
- Make sure your system clock is correct and that you can access domestic websites normally.
2. How to import a Clash subscription
- Open the Clash client and go to the “Profiles / Config / Subscriptions” page.
- Click “New / Add / Import from URL.”
- Paste your subscription link. You can name it “freevpn” or choose a name of your own.
- Click Download, Update, or Save, then wait for the configuration file to load.
- Return to the “Proxies” page and select a node.
- Go to “General” and enable System Proxy. Select Global for global proxying or Rule for automatic traffic routing.
If the subscription imports successfully, you’ll usually see multiple nodes, policy groups, or region names. If the page is blank, the subscription link may have expired, may not have been copied in full, or the client may not support that configuration format.
3. How your IP, DNS, and browser environment are related after importing a subscription
Many users assume that importing a subscription is all it takes to connect through a proxy, but you also need to make sure your traffic is actually routed through it. IP, DNS, and browser environment relate to different aspects of your connection:
- IP address: The IP shown to lookup websites is the IP address of your exit node. If you still see your local ISP’s IP, System Proxy may be off, your browser may not be using the proxy, or the selected mode may be incorrect.
- DNS: DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses. If DNS requests still go through your local network, you may encounter DNS pollution, incorrect resolution, or websites that won’t load.
- Browser environment: This includes cache, extensions, WebRTC, and the region associated with your account. Even when the proxy is working, your browser may still reveal some local information.
After importing the subscription, first visit a commonly used IP lookup site to confirm your exit IP, then test the websites you want to access. If a site won’t open in just one browser, try Incognito mode, disable any suspicious extensions, or try another browser.
4. Common issues and how to troubleshoot them
- Subscription won’t update: Check that the link is complete. Try opening it in a browser to see if the configuration text downloads.
- Node times out: Switch to another node or wait for the subscription provider to update it. Free nodes can be unstable.
- Connected but webpages won’t open: Make sure System Proxy is enabled. Try switching to Global mode for testing.
- Some websites won’t open: Try switching between Rule and Global, or choose a node in a different region.
- DNS issues: Enable the built-in DNS in the client settings, or change your system DNS and restart the client.
When troubleshooting, avoid changing too many settings at once. The recommended order is: update the subscription, switch nodes, enable System Proxy, switch to Global, check DNS, then restart the browser. This makes it easier to identify where the problem lies.
5. Security tips for using subscriptions
Your subscription link provides access to your node configuration, so don’t share it publicly. Before importing a configuration from an unknown source, check for unusual rules or hijacking settings. Keep your client up to date and refresh your subscription regularly. Use Rule mode when appropriate to avoid routing all your traffic through the proxy unnecessarily.
In summary, importing a Clash subscription comes down to “add the URL, update the configuration, select a node, and enable System Proxy.” If problems persist after importing, check your IP, DNS, and browser environment to identify the cause.