This article explains how to import a subscription into Clash, and how to troubleshoot problems such as webpages still not loading, your IP address not changing, DNS leaks, or unexpected browser behavior after importing. It’s intended for everyday users who have just received a free node subscription link, a VPN provider subscription, or a free node subscription from this site. Follow the steps to configure and troubleshoot your setup.
1. Check your client before importing a subscription
Clash has several client variants, including Clash Verge, Clash for Windows, ClashX, and Clash Meta-based clients. The interface labels may differ slightly, but the basic process is the same: add the subscription link, update the configuration, select a node, and enable the system proxy.
Before importing, check these three things: you can copy the subscription link correctly; your computer or phone has the correct time; and your network can access regular websites. If the link is from a free node page, we recommend copying the full URL rather than just the node text.
2. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Clash
- Open the Clash client and go to the Profiles / Config / Subscription page.
- Click “New Profile,” “Add Subscription,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link and enter a name, such as “freevpn-x,” or choose your own.
- Click Save, then select “Update” to refresh the subscription. If the update succeeds, the configuration file has been downloaded locally.
- Go to the Proxies page and select a node. For testing, we recommend starting with Rule or Global mode.
- Return to the home page and enable System Proxy. If needed, enable TUN mode as well.
Once setup is complete, visit an IP lookup website to check whether your exit IP has changed. If it hasn’t, the issue usually isn’t that the subscription failed to import; more often, the system proxy, mode, or browser proxy isn’t working.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users assume that importing a subscription automatically routes all their traffic through the proxy. In fact, Clash only provides proxy capabilities; whether they work depends on whether your system and browser send traffic through it. IP is the outgoing address websites see when you visit them; DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses; and your browser environment includes proxy settings, cache, extensions, WebRTC, and more.
- IP hasn’t changed: Check that the system proxy is enabled and that you’ve selected a working node.
- DNS issues: These may prevent webpages from loading or cause domains to resolve to the wrong address. Try enabling DNS or TUN in the client, then test again.
- Browser traffic isn’t going through the proxy: Some browsers or extensions override the system proxy. Try disabling proxy-related extensions or testing in an incognito window.
- Only some websites won’t load: Switch from Rule to Global mode to check whether the issue is caused by routing rules.
4. Troubleshooting import and connection failures
If you get an error when adding a subscription, first check whether the link has expired, contains spaces, or requires you to sign in. When copying it, make sure to include the https:// prefix and not to include any accompanying instructions. If the configuration update fails, try switching networks or updating again later.
If the subscription updates but the nodes won’t connect, troubleshoot in this order: switch to another node; check whether you can access the internet with Direct mode; then quit your antivirus, proxy extensions, or any older VPN software; finally, restart Clash and your network connection. Free nodes may be temporarily unavailable, so if one fails, try another node or get the latest subscription.
If your browser still shows your original IP, try clearing the browser cache and disabling WebRTC-related extensions or privacy settings, then reload the page and test again. Windows users can also check the system’s “Proxy” page to confirm that Clash has set a local proxy address.
5. Recommendations
For everyday use, save one or two working subscriptions and update the configuration regularly. Avoid running multiple VPN or proxy apps at the same time. Global mode is more straightforward for initial testing; once everything works, switch back to Rule mode. If you’re only importing the free nodes provided by this site, focus on these three things: the subscription updated successfully, a node is selected, and the system proxy is enabled.