VPN on Wifi = No local access - Cabled works

Hi all

I'm having an issue that I can't seem to figure out, and I am probably missing something basic.

On my Desktop (cabled to router), when I connect to a VPN everything works as expected and I am still able to use all LAN resources (my server, printer, cast to TV etc etc) however, on my laptop when I make a connection to a VPN, it blocks all local access.

The desktop is cabled to the same router that the laptop connects to Wirelessly and I am running the same windows version on both. Neither are running a firewall, both were recently rebuilt and I didn't make any changes to the network settings on either, just to test...so they are both on defaults.

It happens regardless of VPN client (Wireguard, OpenVPN or Surfsharks own app)

Would anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks
Dave

PureLoneWolf said:

Hi all

I'm having an issue that I can't seem to figure out, and I am probably missing something basic.

On my Desktop (cabled to router), when I connect to a VPN everything works as expected and I am still able to use all LAN resources (my server, printer, cast to TV etc etc) however, on my laptop when I make a connection to a VPN, it blocks all local access.

The desktop is cabled to the same router that the laptop connects to Wirelessly and I am running the same windows version on both. Neither are running a firewall, both were recently rebuilt and I didn't make any changes to the network settings on either, just to test...so they are both on defaults.

It happens regardless of VPN client (Wireguard, OpenVPN or Surfsharks own app)

Would anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks
Dave

Click to expand...

Hi there

@PureLoneWolf

Usually to enable LAN access or other items to be "Exempt" or not under VPN control you need a feature called Split Tunnelling. With Nordvpn you can enable / disable it at will. I'm not sure what the setup is for wifi but your vpn provider should have info .

To get Split tunnelling to work depends on the protocols the vpn uses --and it may be that these aren't available for wifi

-- I can't help you there but this feature is used so you can partially use ISP for things like browsers and LAN while using VPN services for the things you want the VPN for. Surfshark I believe has it as does some of the others you mentioned - but you'll probably need to look at their setup options.

I find Nordvpn cheap, very fast, and this feature works brilliantly although I don't use wifi but I'm sure it works --I'll test it out on a laptop later this weekend just to "give it a go".

Anyway a lot more info here and example shown. Written in "English" rather than "GeekSpeak" too so quite understandable.


cheers
jimbo

Thanks for the response, but my understanding of split tunnelling has always been referring to what goes via the VPN externally and what goes via my normal internet gateway externally - I didn't think that Local LAN resources were affected by that.

That all said, unfortunately that wouldn't explain why it works when wired and doesn't when wireless. Surfsharks app has a "Route via VPN" and "Bypass VPN" option in its settings for the Split Tunnel - but that also doesn't allow local LAN access when connected wirelessly.

*EDIT* having re-read that I realise that using the local gateway should absolutely retain local lan config/access without issue, but that isn't happening on my laptop and I haven't explicitly setup split tunnelling on the desktop where it is working.

PureLoneWolf said:

Thanks for the response, but my understanding of split tunnelling has always been referring to what goes via the VPN externally and what goes via my normal internet gateway externally - I didn't think that Local LAN resources were affected by that.

That all said, unfortunately that wouldn't explain why it works when wired and doesn't when wireless. Surfsharks app has a "Route via VPN" and "Bypass VPN" option in its settings for the Split Tunnel - but that also doesn't allow local LAN access when connected wirelessly.

Click to expand...

@PureLoneWolf

Works on Nordvpn via wifi -- could be say a problem with older wifi nics or perhaps you need the 5ghz rather than 2.4 ghz wifi.

Just tested with an HP envy laptop. --Perfect.

Try the android app switching off wifi on phone. If that works, then select wifi on phone and have another test. If that works then problem is not in router but with your wifi nic card in the computer. Then there's things like app based split tunelling vs browser based split tunnelling. Too many options to consider here but try the android tests first as those should be quick and easy -- if you have an iPhone then see if there's equivalent too.

Cheers
jimbo