No Ticket Needed

Appearance

7 min fix 4 min read Recently reviewedBeginner

By , IT support technician

Quick Answer

Disconnect from the VPN, open the VPN client settings, and look for an option called Allow local (LAN) access when using VPN to route normal internet traffic outside the secure tunnel.

How to Fix "No Internet Access" After Connecting to VPN ​

Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10, GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, FortiClient, OpenVPN
Article Type: Troubleshooting
Last Updated: 2026-07-10

Summary ​

You connect to the company VPN and suddenly you can't load Google, check personal email, or join a Zoom meeting. But you can access the company intranet. This guide explains why this happens (full-tunnel vs. split-tunnel VPNs) and how to fix the connection so you can work normally.

Symptoms ​

  • Wi-Fi or Ethernet works perfectly until you click "Connect" on your VPN client
  • Once connected, public websites (like google.com) fail to load
  • Company resources (intranet sites, shared network drives) work fine
  • Your computer shows a "No Internet, Secured" message on the Wi-Fi icon
  • Teams or Zoom calls drop immediately upon VPN connection

Prerequisites ​

  • Your computer is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) before starting the VPN
  • You know your company VPN login credentials

Instructions ​

1. Identify Your VPN Type (Full-Tunnel vs. Split-Tunnel) ​

The most common cause of this issue is a Full-Tunnel VPN configuration.

  • Split-Tunnel: Only company traffic goes through the VPN. Public internet traffic goes straight to the web. (You can browse Google normally).
  • Full-Tunnel: All traffic — both company and public — is forced through the VPN and routed through the company's firewall.

If your company uses a Full-Tunnel VPN and their firewall is currently blocking public web traffic, or their internet connection is overloaded, you will lose internet access.

How to check:

  1. Disconnect the VPN.
  2. If the internet works immediately, you likely have a Full-Tunnel VPN routing issue. (See Step 4 for what to tell IT).

2. Flush Your DNS Cache ​

Sometimes the VPN scrambles your computer's DNS (the system that turns website names into IP addresses). Clearing it out forces the VPN to set it up correctly.

  1. Disconnect from the VPN.
  2. Click the Start button and type cmd.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator (if blocked, click it to run normally).
  4. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  5. Reconnect the VPN and try loading a webpage.

3. Restart the VPN Service and Adapter ​

If the VPN software itself is stuck, restarting the background service fixes the routing.

  1. Disconnect the VPN.
  2. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  3. Scroll down and find your VPN service (e.g., PanGPS for GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Agent, or FortiClient Service).
  4. Right-click the service and select Restart.
  5. Wait for the service to restart, then try connecting the VPN again.

WARNING

If you see an "Access Denied" error in Services, you don't have admin rights. Instead, restart your entire computer (Start > Power > Restart) — this accomplishes the exact same thing.

4. Check for a Captive Portal (Hotel/Airport Wi-Fi) ​

If you are working from a hotel, coffee shop, or airport, the Wi-Fi might require you to accept terms or enter a room number.

  1. Disconnect the VPN.
  2. Open a web browser and go to neverssl.com or cnn.com.
  3. You should be redirected to a login page (the captive portal).
  4. Accept the terms or log in to the Wi-Fi.
  5. Once you confirm you can browse the public internet, reconnect the VPN.

5. What to Tell IT if It Still Fails ​

If none of the above works, the issue is on your company's network side. The VPN server is accepting your connection but failing to route your traffic out to the internet.

Submit a ticket or call the helpdesk and say:

"I can connect to the VPN, but as soon as I do, I lose all public internet access. I've already flushed my DNS and restarted my computer. It seems like a VPN routing or firewall issue."

Troubleshooting ​

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Internet dies immediately on VPN connectFull-tunnel VPN routing errorFlush DNS; if it persists, ask IT to check the VPN's internet routing for your account — Step 5 has the wording to send
"No Internet, Secured" messageVPN adapter conflict or captive portalDisconnect VPN, sign in to hotel/cafe Wi-Fi, then reconnect
Intranet works, but public web failsCompany firewall is blocking outbound trafficAsk IT to confirm whether outbound web traffic is filtered on the VPN, and to allow the sites you need for your work
VPN connects but drops every few minutesUnstable home Wi-Fi or ISPSee How to Troubleshoot a Slow or Dropping VPN Connection