UFO VPN not working? Common causes and what to check
3 things to check, built from what UFO VPN publishes about its apps, protocols and support. We do not test connections ourselves.
What to check
If the network blocks VPNs, turn on obfuscation (partial (Protocol C bypasses school/work firewalls)).
Contact support: Telegram, email.
If the website is blocked too, use the mirror or channel (Telegram channel).
Support when the VPN is blocked
- Live chat
- No (email only) (review)
- Live chat 24/7
- claims 24/7 troubleshooting
- Telegram
- Yes channel
- Mirrors or channel
- Telegram channel
- Yes support@ufovpn.io
Protocols
- WireGuard✕ No
- OpenVPNNot stated
- IKEv2Not stated
- L2TP/IPsecNot stated
- SSTPNot stated
- SoftEtherNot stated
- Own protocol✓ Yes
- VLESS / RealityNot stated
- VMessNot stated
- TrojanNot stated
- ShadowsocksNot stated
- Hysteria2Not stated
- TUICNot stated
- NaiveProxyNot stated
- obfs4Not stated
- AmneziaWGNot stated
- PPTPNot stated
Below is what follows from the descriptions of UFO VPN's apps and protocols. Almost every fix comes down to choosing a protocol: the apps have no WireGuard, instead offering their own protocols A, B, C and D, plus an Auto mode.
Switch protocols first
In Auto mode, the app picks the protocol itself, and the SmartHop feature measures speed and switches servers. If the connection hangs or websites won't load, pick a protocol manually. According to the service, protocol C gets through firewalls at schools and workplaces. Protocols B and D are built for video calls in the Middle East, so try them if calls fail. When a single page won't load while the VPN works, temporarily turn off the built-in ad and tracker blocker.
Device limits and the free version
The pricing page mentions 6 devices at the same time, while the terms mention 5, so the seventh, and sometimes even the sixth, connection may fail. The site does not describe the limits of the free version. According to a review by security.org, the free plan has one device, about 21 servers, and ads, so the country you need may simply be missing on the free plan. On paid plans, traffic is unlimited, but the terms reserve the service's right to limit usage at its discretion.
If the VPN is blocked in your country
UFO VPN handles DPI blocks poorly: obfuscation is only partial, in protocol C, and the service does not name VLESS, Shadowsocks, or other bypass protocols. Where VPNs are cut off at the ISP level, look at services from the roundups VPNs with traffic obfuscation and VPNs with VLESS / Reality. UFO VPN support responds by email at support@ufovpn.io and promises help around the clock, but according to the security.org review there is no live chat, and if the website is also blocked, the service's Telegram channel remains.