Can VPNs Interfere With Each Other?

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have become a popular way for people to protect their privacy and security online. With a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a server operated by the VPN provider. This hides your real IP address and location, preventing snooping or blocking.

You can get surfshark for computer and use it whenever you want and wherever you want. But the question is can multiple VPN technologies interfere with each other or not? 

Many folks use VPNs to access region-restricted content, bypass internet censorship, or just stay anonymous while browsing. But what happens when you try to run more than one VPN at the same time on the same device? Can they interfere with each other? Let’s find out.

How VPNs Work

To understand if VPNs can interfere, we first need to know how they work. When you connect to a VPN server, it assigns your device a new IP address from its own IP range. It also sets up an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server.

This tunnel routes all your internet traffic through the VPN server, which acts as an intermediary between you and the rest of the internet. The VPN encrypts your data before sending it through the tunnel, then decrypts it on the other end before passing it on to the website or service you’re accessing.

The VPN server masks your real IP address and location, making it appear as if you’re browsing from wherever the VPN server is located. This prevents websites or your internet service provider from seeing who you are or what you’re accessing online.

Can You Run Two VPNs at Once?

Because a VPN takes control over your device’s internet traffic and routing, running dual VPNs simultaneously on one device can definitely cause interference. Here are a few issues that can occur:

• Conflicting networks: Each VPN will try to set up its own virtual network interface and route internet traffic through it exclusively. Having two virtual adapters contend for traffic often results in connectivity problems.
• IP address clashes: Both VPNs will assign your device an IP address from their respective IP ranges. If these ranges overlap or conflict, it can prevent either VPN from working properly.
• Encryption conflicts: The VPN encryption protocols may clash with each other, causing glitches in the tunnels or data leaks.
• Performance hits: Your internet speeds will take a performance hit anyway when routing through a VPN. Adding the overhead of two VPN connections can slow your connection to a crawl.
• Bypassed encryption: One VPN could end up bypassing the other’s encryption if the traffic flows improperly, defeating the purpose of using a VPN.
• Revealed IP leak: If one VPN drops the connection but leaves its virtual adapter active, your true IP could leak out and be revealed.
• Unstable connectivity: With two conflicting services trying to control the routing, you’re likely to experience random disconnects, freezes, or crashes.

So in most cases, running two VPN services simultaneously on the same device will result in suboptimal performance at best. And at worst, it could compromise your privacy and security.

Should You Layer Two VPNs?

Some advanced users do intentionally run two VPNs at the same time in a practice called VPN chaining or layering. The goal is to gain extra protection by routing your traffic through multiple encrypted hops around the world.

In this setup, the first VPN connects you to an intermediary server, then the second connects you from that intermediary server to the final endpoint. This adds extra steps that could prevent any single VPN provider from detecting both your origin and destination online.

However, VPN layering is complex to configure correctly. Each VPN sees the other as an anonymizing service, which many providers block to prevent abuse. You may also face all the routing and encryption conflicts outlined earlier.

Overall, the modest privacy gains of chaining VPNs rarely outweigh the connectivity troubles it causes. In most cases, you’re better off finding one reputable VPN provider that meets your privacy needs.

Tips for Running Multiple VPNs

If you do need to use more than one VPN service, here are a few tips to avoid conflicts:

• Use them on different devices that are connected to separate networks or WiFi hotspots.
• Virtually segment your network and route each VPN through its own virtual machine or network namespace.
• Connect to them at different times instead of simultaneously, disconnecting one before engaging the other.
• Select providers with non-overlapping IP ranges and different encryption protocols.
• Disable the VPN auto-launch feature so only one can connect at a time.
• Use different connection types for each (like VPN app vs browser extension).
• Set your router to pass certain traffic through one VPN and the rest through another.

When You Might Need Two VPNs

There are a few niche cases where employing two separate VPN services could be beneficial:

• To circumvent very stringent VPN blocking by routing through two obscure providers.
• To access content restricted to certain locations that a single VPN can’t cover.
• To route your general web traffic through one VPN and keep torrenting or other high-risk traffic on a second.
• To have backups from different reputable providers for redundancy in case one VPN is unavailable.

But for general privacy and anonymity online, adding a second VPN is typically overkill. One reliable service with robust encryption, strict no-logging policies, and plenty of IP addresses should fit the bill.

Bottom Line

In most situations, connecting two VPNs simultaneously on the same device will cause technical conflicts that disrupt your internet access. The privacy gains are marginal compared to the reliable protection of one good VPN.

But with careful configuration, you can minimize VPN interference by segmenting networks, coordinating connection times, using incompatible protocols, and separating traffic streams. This allows advanced users to chain multiple VPNs when the extra privacy is truly warranted.

For the average VPN user though, pick one trusted provider that ticks all your boxes. Using a single VPN is the most effective way to stay secure and anonymous online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run two VPNs at the same time?

In most cases, no. Connecting two VPNs simultaneously on one device typically causes interference that results in data leaks, IP conflicts, lower speeds, and possibly a complete loss of internet access.

What happens if I activate two VPNs?

Activating two VPNs on one device usually causes connectivity problems, IP clashes, reduced speeds, encryption conflicts, and other technical issues. They will fight for control over your internet traffic.

Is using two VPNs better for privacy?

Not necessarily. Chaining two or more VPNs does add more hops your traffic goes through, but proper encryption from one reputable VPN is sufficient for most people’s privacy needs.

When would I need two VPNs?

There are a few rare cases where two VPNs could be beneficial, like accessing region-specific content, adding redundancy, or separating traffic for torrenting. But for general browsing, one VPN is plenty.

Can I run a VPN on my router and another on my device?

Yes, running a VPN on your router and another on your device generally won’t conflict. The router encrypts all household traffic, while the device VPN provides an additional layer of privacy just for you.

What’s the best way to use two VPNs?

If you need two VPNs, the best way is to use them on separate devices or networks segments. You can also connect them at different times instead of simultaneously. This avoids technical conflicts.

How can I avoid VPN interference?

To prevent VPN problems, use non-overlapping IP ranges and protocols. Disable auto-connect on all but one. Separate traffic by connecting through your router vs device. And never connect them on the same device simultaneously.