This guide explains how to add a subscription in v2rayNG, what to do when no nodes appear after an update, and how to troubleshoot cases where the connection succeeds but webpages still won’t load. The steps follow the usual workflow on an Android phone and explain how IP, DNS, and browser settings each affect your connection. Menu names may vary slightly between versions, so follow the labels shown in your app.
1. Before you start: Make sure you have a subscription link
Install the client from a trusted source, such as the official v2rayNG project releases page, and avoid modified versions from unknown sources. Have the subscription address provided by your service provider ready; it usually begins with https://. A subscription link is not the same as a link for a single node: content beginning with vless://, vmess://, or a similar prefix usually needs to be imported from the clipboard, not entered in the subscription address field.
Subscription addresses often contain a personal token, so don’t share screenshots or send them to strangers. If you use free nodes shared through this site or other channels, confirm whether you’ve been given a subscription or a single node, and whether it’s compatible with v2rayNG. Don’t use a webpage URL as a subscription address.
2. How to add a subscription in v2rayNG
- Copy the entire subscription link. Make sure it doesn’t include spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation.
- Open v2rayNG and go to “Subscription group settings” or a similarly named option in the side menu.
- Tap the add button, enter a recognizable name in the remarks field, paste the link into the subscription address field, and save.
- Return to the node list, open the menu in the upper-right corner, and select “Update subscription.” If you have multiple groups, make sure you update the intended one.
- Wait for the update to finish and check whether any nodes appear. Select a node, then tap the connection button at the bottom.
- The first time you connect, Android will display a VPN connection request. Grant permission, then test a webpage.
Saving a subscription only stores its address; updating it is what fetches the nodes. When you need to refresh the nodes later, you can usually update the existing subscription rather than creating a new group. If the connection fails, try another node from the same subscription.
3. What to do if the subscription update fails or the list is empty
First, check that your phone has an internet connection. Then make sure the subscription hasn’t expired or been reset, and that the link was copied in full. If the link returns a login page or an error page, or the provider only supports formats for other clients, v2rayNG may not be able to parse it. Ask for a compatible subscription rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app.
Some subscription addresses may be inaccessible on your current network. If you already have a working connection, try connecting before updating; whether this helps also depends on how the app sends subscription requests. If you don’t have a working connection, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or ask the provider to check the link’s status. Don’t submit a private subscription to an untrusted online conversion site.
4. Troubleshooting after connecting: Distinguishing IP, DNS, and browser issues
Adding a subscription by itself does not change your public IP address. Your public IP as seen by a website may change only after a node connects successfully and your request is routed through the proxy. With split tunneling, some websites may connect directly, which is normal. Don’t rely on a single IP lookup page to determine how all your traffic is routed.
If the node appears connected but domain names won’t load, check the client logs for DNS resolution errors. Then check for conflicts involving custom DNS settings, Android Private DNS, or your browser’s Secure DNS. Change one setting at a time and test again so you can identify the cause.
Browser cache, extensions, and existing sign-in sessions can also affect what you see. Try an incognito window or a different browser for comparison. A proxy does not automatically clear cookies or make your browser appear to be a new device. Finally, check whether another VPN app is using the connection. Once troubleshooting is complete, restore sensible split-tunneling settings and avoid leaving a global proxy enabled unnecessarily.