This article explains how to import a subscription into Clash and why, after importing, you still may not be able to open web pages, your IP may not change, DNS may leak, or your browser environment may behave abnormally. It is suitable for ordinary users who have just installed Clash and obtained a subscription link but do not know how to use it. Just follow the steps to complete the basic setup.
1. Basic steps to import a Clash subscription
Different clients may be called Clash Verge, Clash for Windows, Clash Meta, ClashX, etc., but the logic is basically the same: add the subscription link to Profiles/configuration files, then select a node and enable the proxy.
- First copy your subscription link, which usually starts with http or https, and do not copy any extra spaces.
- Open the Clash client and go to the Profiles/Configuration page.
- Click New, Import, Download, or “Import from URL,” and paste the subscription link.
- After saving, wait for the configuration file to download. Once successful, a new configuration entry will appear.
- Switch to the Proxies/Proxy page and select an available node or choose the automatic selection group.
- Return to the home page and enable System Proxy/system proxy; if you need a global connection, you can choose Global, while Rule/rule mode is recommended for daily use.
If you are using the free nodes or subscriptions provided by this site, you can also import them in the same way. Free nodes are more affected by network fluctuations, so after importing, it is recommended to test several nodes instead of judging only by the first one.
2. A successful import does not mean you are already connected
Many users assume the setup is complete as soon as they see that the subscription has been imported successfully. In fact, you still need to confirm three things: whether the node is reachable, whether the system proxy is enabled, and whether the browser is using the proxy. You can open a web page while checking the Connections/connection log in Clash to see whether connection records appear; if there are no records, it usually means the browser or system is not routing through Clash.
- Rule mode: traffic is split according to rules, with domestic websites connected directly and foreign websites routed through the proxy; suitable for daily use.
- Global mode: all traffic goes through the proxy; can be used temporarily when troubleshooting.
- Direct mode: everything connects directly; if this mode is selected by mistake, the proxy will not take effect.
When testing, you can first open a common IP lookup website and check whether the displayed region has changed. Note: the IP lookup result only represents the exit used for the current web page request; it does not mean that all software is already using the proxy.
3. The relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment
IP is the exit address seen by websites, and it depends on the node you selected and whether the proxy is taking effect. If the IP has not changed, first check the system proxy, mode selection, and browser proxy settings.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into addresses. Even if the IP has changed, if DNS is still being resolved by your local ISP, you may encounter inaccessible websites, polluted resolution, or confused regional detection. Clash-type clients usually handle DNS in the configuration; ordinary users are not advised to casually change complex parameters. You only need to keep the client default settings or the DNS settings provided by the subscription, and avoid enabling multiple proxy tools at the same time.
The browser environment can also affect the results. For example, if Chrome has other proxy extensions installed, the browser has secure DNS enabled, or you are using a standalone proxy extension, these may bypass Clash. When troubleshooting, it is recommended to first disable proxy extensions, test in an incognito window, or switch to a clean browser to confirm.
4. Common troubleshooting checklist
- Subscription cannot be downloaded: check whether the link is complete and whether the network can access the subscription address; if necessary, switch networks and try again.
- All nodes time out: update the subscription, switch to other nodes, and confirm that your device time is accurate.
- Web pages will not open: switch between Rule/Global for testing, and check whether there are connection records in the log.
- IP does not change: confirm that the system proxy is enabled and that Direct is not selected.
- Only the browser does not work: disable browser proxy extensions, secure DNS, or restart the browser.
In summary, the core of importing a subscription into Clash is to “add the subscription link, update the configuration, select a node, and enable the system proxy.” If things still behave abnormally after importing, do not focus only on the subscription itself; you should also check the IP, DNS, and browser environment, which will make it easier to quickly locate the problem.