This article addresses how to “import subscriptions into Clash” as well as issues such as webpages still not opening after import, the IP not changing, DNS leaks, or abnormal browser environments. It is suitable for ordinary users who have just obtained a free node subscription link and want to start using it quickly in Clash-based clients on Windows, macOS, or mobile devices.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
A Clash subscription is usually a link starting with http or https that contains multiple proxy nodes and rule configurations. You can get one from a trusted provider, or use the free node subscriptions collected by this site, but the stability of free nodes may fluctuate, so it is recommended to update once before connecting.
- Make sure Clash Verge, Clash for Windows, Clash Meta for Android, or another client compatible with Clash configurations is already installed.
- Copy the complete subscription link without missing any trailing parameters.
- Turn off other VPNs and proxy plugins to avoid port conflicts.
- Keep your system time correct; otherwise, some TLS nodes may fail to connect.
2. General steps to import a subscription into Clash
- Open the Clash client and go to the “Profiles / Config / Subscriptions” page.
- Click “New / Add / Import URL” and paste the subscription link into it.
- Give the subscription a name, such as “freevpn nodes” or “backup subscription”.
- Click “Download / Update / Save” and wait for the configuration download to complete.
- Go back to the “Proxies / Proxy” page and select a node. It is recommended to first choose one with lower latency and marked as available.
- Turn on “System Proxy / System Proxy,” and you can start with Rule mode.
If the client prompts a YAML parsing error, download failure, or an empty configuration, it is usually because the subscription link has expired, the network cannot access the subscription address, or spaces were accidentally included when copying. In this case, copy the link again and test in the browser whether the subscription address can be opened.
3. What is the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment
Many people think that importing a subscription means it has definitely worked, but in fact it also depends on whether the IP, DNS, and browser are all going through the proxy. After connecting to a node, you can visit an IP checking website to see whether the exit IP has changed. If the IP has not changed, it is most likely because the system proxy is not enabled, or the browser is using independent proxy settings.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. If DNS is still going through the local ISP, problems such as websites not opening or inconsistent region detection may occur. Clash usually handles DNS in the configuration, but rules differ between subscriptions. If you encounter resolution issues, check in the client settings whether DNS is enabled, or switch to Global mode for testing.
The browser environment can also affect the result. For example, if Chrome has a proxy extension installed, Firefox is set to use a separate proxy, or the browser has cached old DNS records, all of these can lead to the situation where “the client shows connected but webpages do not load.” It is recommended to test first in an incognito window; if necessary, disable proxy extensions or restart the browser.
4. Quick troubleshooting checklist for connection failures
- Update the subscription: free nodes change frequently, so first manually update it on the Profiles page.
- Switch nodes: some nodes within the same subscription may be temporarily unavailable, so try 2–3 others before deciding.
- Switch modes: if Rule mode does not work, try Global; if Global works, it indicates a problem with the rules or DNS.
- Check ports: if proxy ports such as 7890 or 7897 are occupied on the local machine, restart Clash or change the port.
- Close conflicting software: exit other VPNs, accelerators, and browser proxy extensions.
- Check the logs: if timeout appears in Logs, the node is usually unreachable; if certificate or handshake appears, the issue may be related to system time, protocol, or the network environment.
5. Usage recommendations
For daily use, it is recommended to keep Rule mode enabled, as this both saves traffic and allows direct access to domestic websites. When you need to confirm whether the proxy is working, briefly switch to Global mode for testing. When importing multiple subscriptions, be careful not to enable multiple conflicting configurations at the same time. Finally, keep in mind that a subscription is only the entry point to a node list; whether it actually works depends on the node status, your local network, DNS, and browser settings.