This guide explains “how to import a subscription into Clash” and how to troubleshoot common issues after importing, such as no internet access, an unchanged IP, DNS leaks, or websites still not opening in your browser. It’s intended for users who have just received a subscription link or copied one from our free nodes page. Follow the steps below to import it and perform some basic troubleshooting.
1. Check These Three Things Before Importing a Subscription
There are several Clash clients, including Clash Verge, Clash for Windows, Clash Meta, and ClashX. Their interfaces differ slightly, but the basic process is the same: add a subscription, update the configuration, select a node, and enable the system proxy. Before importing, make sure that:
- The subscription link is a complete URL starting with http or https. Don’t copy only part of it.
- Your computer or phone has a working internet connection; otherwise, it can’t fetch the subscription.
- Your client supports the subscription format. Common Clash subscriptions are usually recognized automatically.
If your subscription is from a public free node source, nodes may stop working or be updated frequently. We recommend clicking “Update Subscription” first to check whether the subscription can be fetched successfully.
2. General Steps for Importing a Subscription into Clash
- Open your Clash client and go to “Profiles,” “Configuration,” “Subscriptions,” or “Profiles/Configuration Files.”
- Click “New,” “Add,” “Import Subscription,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can give it a name, such as freevpn-x.
- Save it, then click “Update” and wait for the client to download the configuration.
- Return to the “Proxies” page and select an available node or an automatic selection policy group.
- Enable “System Proxy.” If needed, also enable TUN mode.
Once you’re done, visit an IP lookup website to see whether your public IP has changed. If the page still shows your local network, the subscription was probably imported successfully, but the system proxy may not be enabled or your browser may not be using the proxy.
3. How Your IP, DNS, and Browser Environment Are Related
Many users assume that importing a subscription is all it takes to connect, but there are three more things to understand. Your IP is your outgoing address and usually changes once you connect to a node. DNS resolves domain names; if your DNS requests still go through your local ISP, you may be unable to open websites, experience DNS pollution, or expose your privacy. Your browser environment—including its cache, extensions, proxy settings, and WebRTC—can also affect test results.
After connecting, check things in this order: look in the Clash logs for connection requests, visit an IP lookup page to confirm your outgoing IP, then test the websites you normally use. If only one browser is affected, try an incognito window, disable proxy extensions, or clear the DNS cache. On Windows, restart the client and browser. On macOS, toggle the system proxy off and on again.
4. Troubleshooting Import and Connection Failures
- “Download failed” message: Check whether the subscription link has expired or contains spaces, then try again on a different network.
- You have nodes but can’t connect: Switch to another node and check the client logs for errors such as timeout or connection refused.
- Your IP hasn’t changed: Make sure the system proxy is enabled and that your browser isn’t set to connect directly.
- DNS issues: Try enabling TUN/enhanced mode or turning on the relevant remote DNS option in the client.
If the node list is empty after updating the subscription, its contents may be temporarily unavailable. Wait for an update or switch to a new subscription source. We curate free nodes and import guides on this site, but the reliability of free resources depends on your network conditions, so we recommend keeping a few alternative configurations on hand.
5. Tips for Everyday Use
When using Clash, avoid running multiple proxy apps at the same time, as this can cause port conflicts. When something goes wrong, troubleshoot in this order: “Update the subscription—switch nodes—enable the system proxy—check your IP/DNS—review the logs.” As long as the subscription format is valid, the node is working, and the proxy is enabled, importing a subscription into Clash usually takes just a few minutes.