This article answers the question “How do I import nodes into sing-box?” You’ll learn how to import nodes using a subscription link or local configuration, then check whether your IP, DNS, and browser environment are working as expected after connecting. It’s intended for everyday users trying sing-box for the first time.
1. Before you import
sing-box is a proxy core. Many users access it through a client with a graphical interface, such as a sing-box GUI client for Windows, Android, or iOS. Button names vary slightly between clients, but the general steps are the same: add a configuration, select a node, and start the proxy.
- Get a working node subscription link or a configuration for a single node.
- Make sure the client is installed and has permission to create a VPN or proxy connection.
- If you’re using this site’s free nodes, copy a subscription address that’s available today and import it to test.
Note: Don’t import configurations from untrusted sources onto a device you rely on, especially files containing unknown rules, scripts, or remote configurations.
2. Common ways to import nodes into sing-box
The easiest way is to import a subscription. Open the client and go to the “Configuration,” “Subscription,” or “Profiles” page. Click Add, choose URL/Remote Subscription, paste in the subscription link, and save. Then click Update. Once the update succeeds, the nodes will appear in the list.
- Copy the node subscription link, making sure it’s complete and has no extra spaces.
- Open the sing-box client and go to the configuration or subscription management page.
- Click Add Subscription and enter a name, such as “freevpn-test.”
- Paste in the subscription URL, save it, and run an update manually.
- Return to the node list, select a node, and click Start or Connect.
If you have a link for a single node or a JSON configuration, choose “Import from Clipboard,” “Import Local File,” or “Add Manually.” When importing manually, carefully check the address, port, UUID, transport, TLS, Reality, and other fields. Any one of them being incorrect can cause the connection to fail.
3. Check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting
A node showing as connected doesn’t necessarily mean all your traffic is going through the proxy. We recommend checking three things in order. First, visit an IP lookup site and see whether your outgoing IP has changed. Second, run a DNS leak test to make sure your DNS server isn’t your local ISP’s. Third, check your browser environment, including whether your time zone or language reveals your location, and whether WebRTC exposes your local IP address.
If you only want to browse the web, enable the client’s system proxy or TUN/VPN mode. A system proxy works well with browsers and some applications; TUN/VPN mode covers more traffic but may conflict with other VPNs or security software. Chrome and Edge usually follow the system proxy settings. If Firefox is configured to use a separate proxy, you’ll need to change it manually to use the system proxy.
4. Troubleshoot import failures and connection issues
If you see “Update Failed,” “Connection Timed Out,” or “Handshake Failed,” don’t make changes at random. Troubleshoot in this order:
- Make sure the subscription link is accessible. If necessary, switch networks and try refreshing it again.
- Check that your system time is correct. An incorrect time can affect TLS connections.
- Try a different node. It’s common for an individual node to be unavailable.
- Close other proxies, VPNs, or accelerators to avoid port or routing conflicts.
- Check the client logs, paying particular attention to messages about DNS, TLS, timeout, or unauthorized access.
If no nodes appear after importing, the current client may not recognize the subscription format. Try a different client that supports sing-box, or convert the subscription to Clash/V2Ray format before importing it. If the connection succeeds but websites won’t load, check your DNS settings and routing mode first. Temporarily switching to Global mode can help determine whether the problem is caused by routing rules.
In short, importing nodes into sing-box involves adding a subscription, updating the configuration, selecting a node, starting the connection, and then checking your IP, DNS, and browser environment. Follow the steps and use the logs to troubleshoot, and you should be able to narrow most problems down to the subscription, node, DNS, or local proxy settings.