This article addresses the common issue of subscription links not updating. Whether you use Clash, V2RayN, sing-box, or another proxy client, if your subscription won’t refresh, times out, fails to download, or shows no nodes after updating, follow the steps below to check your IP, DNS, browser environment, and client settings one by one.
1. First, check whether the subscription link is accessible
Many update failures aren’t caused by a faulty client—the subscription URL may simply be temporarily unavailable. Copy the link and paste it into your browser’s address bar. If a block of configuration text downloads, the link is probably working. If the browser can’t access it either, check your network environment next.
- Make sure you haven’t copied any extra spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation into the link.
- Check whether the link has expired, especially if it’s a temporary free-node subscription.
- Try switching networks—for example, from Wi-Fi to your phone’s hotspot.
- If a free-node subscription provided by this site won’t update, try again later or use a backup subscription.
If your browser shows a 404 or 403 error, or a certificate error, the subscription URL is usually invalid, access is being blocked, or your system clock is incorrect. Don’t keep clicking Update; resolve the access issue first.
2. How your IP and DNS affect subscription updates
Updating a subscription requires your client to access a remote URL, so your public IP address, ISP connection, and DNS resolution can all affect the result. If the same subscription opens over mobile data but not on your home broadband, the issue is likely with your current network environment.
- IP restrictions: Some subscription services limit unusually frequent access. Refreshing repeatedly in a short time may result in a temporary block.
- DNS resolution issues: If the domain resolves to the wrong address, the connection may time out or fail.
- ISP interference: Access to subscription domains may be unstable on some networks, working intermittently.
Try changing your system DNS to a common public DNS server, or enable the client’s built-in DNS or remote DNS feature. After making changes, restart the client and update the subscription again.
3. Check your browser environment and proxy mode
Sometimes a subscription opens in the browser but fails to update in the client. This is often related to the proxy mode. When updating, the client may connect directly instead of using a proxy, or use a proxy node that’s no longer working. Try updating in “Direct” mode, then in “Via proxy” mode, and compare the results.
If you use a Clash-based client, check the subscription update settings, whether the system proxy is enabled, and whether the current rule mode is appropriate. V2RayN users can check whether the correct group is selected when updating the subscription. sing-box users should make sure the configuration file hasn’t been overwritten by an older cached version.
Browser cache can also lead you to misjudge whether a link is working. Open the subscription link in a private window or try a different browser. If it works in private mode but not in a regular window, clear your cache and cookies, then try again.
4. Quick troubleshooting steps—in order
- Paste the subscription link into a private browser window and check whether it opens directly.
- Switch networks; a phone hotspot is the best first test.
- Change your DNS and restart the client to avoid issues caused by an old DNS cache.
- Delete the old subscription from the client and add it again instead of just clicking Refresh.
- Try both “Direct” and “Via proxy” update modes.
- Check that your system clock is accurate, especially if you’re seeing a certificate error.
If no nodes appear after an update, the subscription format may be incompatible with your client. For example, a Clash subscription can’t be imported directly into a client that only supports VLESS links. Make sure you select the format for the right client. If needed, download a compatible version or use a client that supports the format.
In summary, if a subscription link won’t update, first check whether the link is valid, then whether your current IP and DNS can access it, and finally review the client’s proxy mode and cache. Following these steps will usually help you identify the cause.