VPN Connected, But Only Google Works? Here's The Fix!

by SLV Team 54 views
VPN Connected, But Only Google Works? Here's the Fix!

Hey everyone, ever run into that super annoying problem where your VPN says it's connected, but the only website you can access is Google? It's like being in a digital ghost town, except Google's throwing a party. If you're rocking Arch Linux and scratching your head about DNS settings, you're in the right place. Let's dive into this weird issue and get you back online. We'll break down what might be happening and, more importantly, how to fix it.

Understanding the Issue: Why Only Google?

So, why is Google the only site that seems to work when your VPN is active? The answer often lies in DNS (Domain Name System). Think of DNS as the internet's phonebook. When you type a website address (like www.example.com), your computer needs to translate that into an IP address (like 192.168.1.1) to connect to the server hosting the site. Your computer typically gets this information from a DNS server, often provided by your internet service provider (ISP). However, when you use a VPN, the VPN usually provides its own DNS servers for added privacy and security.

If your VPN's DNS servers are misconfigured, slow, or unreliable, you might experience problems resolving domain names. Some DNS servers might be able to resolve Google's address because Google operates its own highly available DNS infrastructure. But other websites might fail to load because their domain names can't be resolved correctly. This creates the illusion that your internet connection is working only for Google.

Another potential reason could be that your system is still using your ISP's DNS servers instead of the VPN's. This can happen if the VPN client isn't configured correctly to push the DNS settings to your system, or if there's a conflict in your network configuration. Additionally, firewall settings, either on your computer or the VPN server, could be interfering with DNS resolution for non-Google domains. It's also worth noting that some ISPs might use transparent DNS proxies, which can sometimes interfere with VPN DNS settings.

Furthermore, the problem could be related to IPv6 DNS resolution. If your system is trying to use IPv6 DNS servers that are not properly configured by the VPN, it might fail to resolve domain names, while IPv4 resolution (used by Google) continues to work. In summary, the "only Google works" issue is often a DNS-related problem where your system struggles to translate website names into IP addresses when using the VPN.

Diagnosing the Problem: VPN App Log Analysis

Alright, let's get our hands dirty and look at the VPN app log you provided. This log is like a detective's notebook, filled with clues about what's going on under the hood. Here are some key things we can glean from it:

  • DNS Resolution Failures: The log shows errors like "Could not resolve IpAddress from hostname!" This strongly suggests a DNS problem. The VPN client is trying to look up the IP address of the VPN server (ts***.com), but it's failing. This initial failure could cascade into other issues.
  • Ping Test Failures: The log indicates that ping tests to certain IP addresses are timing out. While ping isn't DNS, it confirms a general connectivity problem. If the VPN client can't even ping its own server, that's a red flag.
  • Internet Connection Checks: The VPN client is trying to check the internet connection by pinging common addresses like 1.*.*.3 and 8.*.*.8 (Google's DNS). These pings are succeeding, which is super confusing, since it indicates that basic internet connectivity is there.
  • VPN Service Startup: The log shows the VPN service starting up and configuring the VPN adapter. This part seems to be working fine.
  • DNS Server Configuration: The log shows the VPN client attempting to configure DNS servers, including 8.*.*.8, 8.*.*.4, 2001:***:8888, and 2001:***:8844. This is where things might be going wrong. Even though the client thinks it's setting the DNS servers, something might be preventing it from working correctly.
  • TCP Proxy: The log mentions that TCP Proxy is enabled because the server does not support TCP packets. This could introduce additional latency or potential issues if not handled correctly.
  • VPN Connection Stability: The log eventually throws a NoStableVpnException, meaning the VPN connection was established but deemed unstable. This could be a symptom of the underlying DNS problem.

In short, the log paints a picture of a VPN client that's struggling with DNS resolution, leading to connectivity issues and an unstable VPN connection.

Fixing the Issue: Step-by-Step Solutions for Arch Linux

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks and fix this darn thing. Since you're on Arch Linux, we'll focus on solutions that work well with it. Here's a breakdown of steps you can take:

  1. Manually Configure DNS Servers:

    Since you mentioned there's "no option for custom DNS," let's clarify. Arch Linux doesn't have a GUI setting like Windows or macOS. You need to configure DNS settings directly in your network configuration files. The specific file you need to edit depends on your network management tool. Common ones include systemd-resolved, NetworkManager, and dhcpcd. I will describe systemd-resolved method:

    • systemd-resolved: This is commonly used in Arch Linux. You can configure DNS servers by editing /etc/systemd/resolved.conf. Uncomment the DNS= line and add your preferred DNS servers, like Google's (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1). Important: Separate multiple DNS servers with spaces. Save the file and restart the systemd-resolved service with sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved.

      Make sure that DNSStubListener=yes is uncommented, and Resolve=yes is uncommented too.

      After doing this, you can check if the new dns address has been configured running resolvectl status

    • NetworkManager: If you are using NetworkManager, the simplest way to configure your dns address is: edit the network configuration file in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/<your_network_name>.nmconnection. There you should look for the [ipv4] and [ipv6] configuration sections and add a dns= key, with the dns address separated by commas. Also, you can do it from nmcli tool.

      nmcli connection modify <your_network_name> ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4"
nmcli connection modify <your_network_name> ipv6.dns "2001:4860:4860::8888,2001:4860:4860::8844"
nmcli connection up <your_network_name>

  2. Disable IPv6 Temporarily:

    Sometimes, IPv6 can cause conflicts with VPNs. Try disabling IPv6 temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. You can do this by adding ipv6.disable=1 to your kernel parameters. Edit /etc/default/grub, add the parameter to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line, and then run sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg to update the GRUB configuration. Reboot your system for the changes to take effect. If things work well after that, you can investigate IPv6 issues further.

  3. Firewall Check:

    Ensure that your firewall (if you're using one, like iptables or ufw) isn't blocking DNS traffic. Specifically, make sure that UDP and TCP port 53 (the standard DNS port) are open. If you are not sure what firewall is running, you can try sudo iptables -F to flush all iptables rules. Keep in mind that this command may affect other applications that are using the firewall.

  4. VPN Client Configuration:

    Double-check your VPN client's settings. Look for options related to DNS. Some clients have a setting like "Prevent DNS Leak" or "Use custom DNS servers." Make sure these are configured correctly. If the VPN client has an option to automatically manage DNS settings, try toggling it on or off to see if it makes a difference.

  5. Check the VPN Server Configuration:

    It's possible the VPN server itself has DNS configuration issues. Try connecting to a different VPN server location (if your VPN provider offers multiple locations) to see if the problem persists. If it's specific to one server, the issue might be on the VPN provider's end.

  6. Flush DNS Cache:

    Your system might be caching old DNS records. Flush the DNS cache using sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches. This forces your system to retrieve fresh DNS information.

  7. Check for Conflicting Software:

    Sometimes, other software (like ad blockers or network management tools) can interfere with DNS resolution. Try temporarily disabling any such software to see if it resolves the issue.

  8. Update System:

    Make sure your Arch Linux system is up to date with the latest packages. Run sudo pacman -Syu to update your system. Sometimes, updates include fixes for network-related issues.

Interpreting the VPN Logs

Based on the VPN logs, here's a more targeted approach to fix your DNS issues:

  1. Address the Initial DNS Resolution Failure: The most pressing issue is the inability to resolve the VPN server's hostname (ts***.com). This suggests that the VPN client can't even find its own server. Manually configuring DNS servers as described above is crucial here.
  2. Ping Timeout: If you're able to resolve DNS, but the PingTest fails, that suggests a firewall problem or a routing issue. Make sure there is not a firewall blocking the output ping.
  3. Review TCP Proxy Settings: Since TCP Proxy is enabled, ensure that your system and network environment fully support it. Some networks might have restrictions or configurations that could interfere with TCP proxy connections.

By methodically working through these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the "connected but only Google works" issue on your Arch Linux system. Remember to test your connection after each step to see if it's fixed. Good luck, and happy surfing!