How to fix McAfee “VPN not working” error?

We all must have experienced a time when our software suddenly gave in. Customarily, it won’t cause alarm, but what if the software is a bona fide VPN? A VPN is a comprehensive component of the network architecture that exudes confidence and stability. Be it a consumer service or a corporate one, a VPN holds the fort for internet safety. However, most VPN clients are user-end software prone to errors. Thus, it is not impossible to imagine a VPN can falter and expose our defenses to hidden threats.

McAfee is a one-stop solution for your computer protection. It is a name associated with trust and safety. As a brand, the McAfee group offers a variety of products that aim to make your digital life better. The company has also devised its VPN, namely the McAfee Safe Connect. But perhaps as expected, the software is susceptible to errors. Thus, we are here to provide information regarding how to fix the McAfee “VPN not working” error.

What is McAfee VPN?

Formerly known as McAfee Associates Inc, the McAfee Corp is a giant in the computer security sector. It is an American computer security software company that pursues global excellence in all forms of security products and services. The company has been making strides since the year 1987 and has a better reputation when it comes to antivirus software. Although Intel bought out McAfee Corp. for its security division, the brand has enough value that, when it finally launched a VPN to garner the goodwill of the network security market, there was enough noise. Luckily, the company didn’t fail to deliver.

It remains true that, despite being an old name, McAfee VPN or the McAfee Safe Connect is a relatively new product in uncharted territory. Furthermore, since the company plies from San Jose, CA, USA, many critics and users can’t seem to trust the service itself. Indeed, the product has a few flaws, and the service can be better. There is a lack of features, servers, and it requires further polishing. However, McAfee also provides a free version of Safe Connect without withholding any features or services.

That is the sole silver lining that has provided breathing space to this VPN service. Furthermore, McAfee has started making Safe Connect an addendum to its well-known services and software. In conclusion, while the VPN Is not a deal clincher, it does relatively well, attracting customers and learning from experience. If you are interested in their VPN, kindly visit McAfee’s official website.

General solutions to fix McAfee VPN

There can be numerous reasons for a VPN to fail to work. It can stop operating at launch or suddenly break down during crucial transmission. Whatever the case may be, we need to ensure the stability of a VPN. Thus, here are some usual methods to fix your McAfee Safe Connect:

Check your internet connection — Sometimes your internet can be a problem. Try to reconnect the internet or connect to another network. Also, make sure the router is working duly.
Ensure the software is up-to-date — An older version of the software can lead to errors. Download the latest version of the product from the official website.
Ensure the device is not rooted (Android) or jailbroken (iOS) — Rooted and jailbroken devices are harmful to many types of software.
Check if the installed software is corrupt or not — Sometimes, a package doesn’t get installed correctly. You can try to uninstall McAfee VPN and try installing it again.
Maybe your Firewall conflicts with the app — Your Firewall may recognize the software as a threat, so try to manage it by either changing the settings or turning Firewall off. Keep in mind, we don’t recommend disabling Firewall.
Make sure that the time and date on the device are correct — An incorrect time and date can lead to issues. Set up the time and date correctly.
PC users can try to update their drivers — Maybe your network drivers are outdated. Update them and try again.

Fix McAfee “VPN not working” error on different platforms

If these generic solutions don’t work, it’s time to probe deeper. For that, we have to look at the product individually, separated via the different platforms it runs on.

Note — McAfee isn’t available on macOS. Below are the troubleshooting methods for McAfee Safe Connect (VPN) retrospective to particular operating systems. However, we recommend contacting the official help desk/customer care from the McAfee website.

For Windows

Windows PC users are not unfamiliar with the name McAfee. Thus, to solve this issue faster, follow the steps mentioned below:

First, make sure your router is working, and you can connect to the internet at a stable speed.
Then gander at the date and time on your device and ensure they are correct.
Now, check your network adapter by following these steps:
1. Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key on the keyboard.
2. Then, go to the Settings tab and click it.
3. Now go to Network and Internet and click on it.
4. On the new menu, find Device Manager on the left side.
5. Now click it and find Network adapters.
6. Locate the angled bracket next to Network adapters and click it to expand the menu.
7. Look for Yellow Exclamation marks. If there are any, contact the device manufacturer for further help. Otherwise, you are good to go.
Run your McAfee VPN.

Note — We have discussed all alternate methods in the previous general solutions segment. For more detailed and technical troubleshooting, you’d need to contact either the VPN provider or the manufacturer of the device.

On Android

Mobile devices are less complicated than a mounted setup. You can try to restart the device first. Otherwise, you can try to reinstall the McAfee Safe Connect app. If that doesn’t work, try to clear the app cache and storage data. Lastly, you can try this troubleshooting approach:

Try to connect to a VPN server located in a different country.
1. Tap on the McAfee Safe Connect to open the Android app.
2. Now, tap the top bar to select another server from the drop-down menu.
3. After that, tap on the Connect button to run the app.
4. If it runs in a stable frame, good. Otherwise, try the next few steps.
Try to change the network type.
- A mobile device can support different networks, for example, telecom/cellular data at 3G/4G and Wi-Fi. To change the network type, go to device Settings.
  1. Drag the Notification panel down and tap on the gear icon.
  2. Navigate the Apps and locate the Settings icon.
  3. Now go to the Wi-Fi menu to start or stop the Wi-Fi network.
  4. Turn on the mobile data before going to the SIM settings from the Other network menu and toggle it.
Turn off battery optimization.
- An Android device can sometimes prevent an app from running in the background. A VPN runs entirely in the background, but it is also an extensive app that drains the battery. Chances are, your device may auto-kill the McAfee Safe Connect app. To stop this, go to the device settings and:
  1. Tap on Power and storage or the Battery tab.
  2. Find the tab named Battery Optimization and toggle it off.
  3. You can locate McAfee Safe Connect individually from that list and turn off optimization.

On iOS

You can fix the McAfee VPN error on iOS as well. The process is simple—other than the names of the menus and settings, nothing much will change. We recommend first reinstalling the app on your Apple device. You can also try to restart the device. You don’t need to clear cache or storage in iOS, as it doesn’t retain them. Now, do the following:

Try to connect to a different VPN server.
1. Locate the McAfee Safe Connect app icon and tap it.
2. Run the app and select another country under the VPN server menu.
Turn the Airplane mode on and off.
1. Drag the notification panel down and tap the icon of an airplane.
2. After you enable the Airplane mode, wait a few seconds. Tap the icon again to turn it off.
3. Now try to connect the VPN.
4. If it fails, follow the next step.
Change the network type.
1. Locate the Settings icon on the iOS device and tap it.
2. Now, in the device settings, find the Wi-Fi menu on the top.
3. Tap it to enable or disable the Wi-Fi.