This article explains how to import a subscription into Clash and why you may still be unable to access the internet afterward. Follow the steps in order: get the link, add the configuration, select a node, and troubleshoot the connection. It also explains how IP, DNS, and browser settings affect your connection. Menu names may vary slightly between Clash-compatible clients, but the basic process is the same.
1. Before importing: Check your client and subscription type
Install a maintained Clash-compatible client for your operating system. Download it from the project’s official release page whenever possible, and avoid modified versions from unknown sources. Some original Clash projects are no longer maintained, so the interface may differ from what you see in older tutorials.
Get a Clash-format subscription link from your service provider. It is usually an HTTPS URL. A regular webpage URL or a single vless:// or vmess:// share link may not work in the subscription field; if you only have a link for one node, check whether your client supports importing individual links. Our free nodes page may also provide a suitable option. Check the format and validity before using it.
2. How to import a subscription into Clash
- Copy the complete subscription URL. Make sure you haven’t missed any trailing parameters or included spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation.
- Open the client and go to “Configuration,” “Profiles,” or “Subscriptions.” Choose “Add,” “New,” or “Import from URL.”
- Enter a name that’s easy to recognize, paste the link into the URL field, and click “Download,” “Import,” or “Save.” Wait for the configuration to load.
- Select the newly imported subscription in the configuration list to make it the active configuration. Downloading it successfully does not mean it is enabled.
- Go to “Proxy” or “Proxies” and select a node in the policy group you intend to use. If you’re new to Clash, start with “Rule” mode.
- Turn on System Proxy, then open a browser and visit a website to test the connection. You usually don’t need to enable TUN mode for ordinary browsing.
If your client supports subscription updates, update it manually once to check that the link works, then enable automatic updates if needed. Subscription URLs may contain account tokens, so treat them like passwords. Don’t share the full link or screenshots that include the token.
3. Troubleshooting import failures and connection problems
Check the link if the import fails; troubleshoot the connection only after the import succeeds. If you get a download timeout, first make sure your local network is working and the link hasn’t expired. Some subscription URLs can only be downloaded from a network that can access them. If you get a configuration parsing error, check whether you chose the wrong format, your client is outdated, or the link is returning a login page instead of a configuration file. Don’t send a private subscription to an unfamiliar online converter.
If nodes appear but you can’t access the internet, try another node, then check that the correct configuration is active and that the policy group and system proxy are working. A successful latency test doesn’t guarantee that every website is reachable; check both website access and the client logs. Temporarily close other VPN or proxy software while troubleshooting to prevent conflicting settings.
4. How do IP, DNS, and browser settings affect your connection?
Your public IP depends on whether your traffic is routed through a proxy and which node you select. In Rule mode, some websites may connect directly, so an IP lookup page showing your local IP doesn’t necessarily mean the subscription failed to import. First check which rule applies to that website.
DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. If you see a “domain could not be resolved” error or only some websites fail to load, check the client’s DNS settings and your browser’s Secure DNS setting. Avoid changing several settings at once; change one setting at a time and test again.
Browser extensions may override the system proxy, and cached data or login state can also affect what a page displays. Try temporarily disabling proxy extensions and testing in a private window or another browser. Private browsing doesn’t change your IP and isn’t a substitute for a proxy. Once basic browsing works, adjust advanced settings as needed.