How to get a VPN working with Apex Legends

It’s no secret that Apex Legends is plagued with laggy servers, infinite loading, Easy Anti-Cheat errors, and other connectivity issues. Add a VPN to the mix and something is bound to break along the way. In this guide, we’ll tell you all about how to get a VPN working with Apex Legends so you can get back into action.

We review some common problems affecting players using a VPN to play Apex, and offer fast fixes along the way. Then, we’ll address some FAQs we’ve seen on the EA forums, Reddit, and elsewhere. First off, here are some quality VPNs for Apex in case you’ve tried everything and are thinking of switching providers.

Here are the best VPNs that work with Apex Legends:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Apex Legends. Comes with an impressive global network: 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries. Has lightning-fast speeds and a variety of features for when you’re taking a break from Apex.
2. Surfshark: Best value Apex VPN. Its Nexus feature leverages Surfshark’s entire network for better connection stability while gaming.
3. IPVanish: Super fast provider with Optimal Location feature to find the best, close-by servers to play Apex securely.
4. ExpressVPN: Fantastic speeds, top-notch security, and a user-friendly interface that lets you add app and game shortcuts for easy access.
5. CyberGhost VPN: Decently fast and super secure. Has gaming-optimized servers, especially for battle royale games like Apex, PUBG, and more.
6. Private Internet Access: Fast gaming VPN with a nice degree of customization and a huge server network in 91+ countries.
7. PrivateVPN: Easy to use VPN with high-performance servers in 63+ countries worldwide. Great for gaming, streaming, and other tasks.
8. Proton VPN: Solid all-round VPN, and a great option for Apex Legends. Has a VPN Accelerator feature to boost your speeds, and even includes a free plan.

How to use a VPN with Apex Legends: quick guide

Fortunately, there’s no complex setup involved when it comes to using a VPN with Apex. Here’s a fast guide if you’re unfamiliar with the process, or need a quick refresher:

1. Sign up for a capable Apex Legends VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN on the device you play Apex on.
3. Open the app and connect to a server in the region you prefer (e.g. London, Tokyo).
4. Launch the game and play as usual.
5. Hopefully, that’s you up and running! But if something’s not working, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

How to get a VPN working with Apex Legends: 8 things to check

Already have a VPN and not sure why it doesn’t work with Apex Legends? Here are the most common issues, plus some easy fixes for each problem.

1. Server location

If the VPN server is too far away from the Apex servers or your own location, it can cause connectivity issues. Try one that’s closer to you or the Apex data center you’ve chosen. That way your data doesn’t have to travel as far to reach its destination.

Even if you’re close to either server, there could be network node issues preventing proper data transfer. Switching servers will allow your game data to take a better route and fix your Apex VPN issues.

On a related note, if you’re trying to find an Apex bot lobby with a VPN, you may want to try servers in London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, or Belgium. NordVPN has plenty of servers in each of these four locations if you want to try them out.

2. VPN protocol

The VPN protocol you use has a significant impact on Apex Legends in terms of speed, latency, and connection stability. Protocols like WireGuard or NordLynx are the fastest available and are more suitable for Apex than OpenVPN.

That said, OpenVPN UDP is a solid alternative if you continuously run into issues with WireGuard-based protocols. Meanwhile, mobile players can try out IKEv2, which is useful for switching between networks (e.g. wi-fi to mobile data) without dropping the VPN connection.

Switching between protocols is a good idea for public networks, such as work or college Wi-Fi. These organizations may block VPN protocols through port blocking and other methods, which could cause Apex Legends to not work with your VPN.

3. VPN leaks

We’ve seen many reports of people being unable to play Apex Legends without a VPN, whether it’s due to faulty data routing, blocked ports for Apex, or other causes. If your VPN leaks your IP address or DNS queries, it can disrupt your connection to the Apex servers.

To test this out, use Browserleaks or any similar leak test tool while connected to the VPN. If your real IP/location shows up, then your VPN is definitely leaking data. Certain providers (such as IPVanish) have toggles to turn off leak protection, so ensure these are turned on.

If that isn’t the case, you (or someone else using your device) may have activated split tunneling in your VPN settings. More details below.

4. Split tunneling

Split tunneling is a feature that lets you exclude certain apps or websites from the VPN tunnel and vice-versa. If you’re playing with a VPN, you may have it set up so only Apex traffic goes through said tunnel. That way, your ISP can handle all your other traffic, which will slightly improve your speeds.

Of course, improper setup could lead to errors like “Engine Error: Failed to allocate a network port”. The reason seems to be the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system used by Apex and other online games. Basically, Apex tries to use the VPN server’s IP, but EAC still detects your day-to-day IP, causing a conflict.

The fix involves adding a split tunneling rule for any EAC processes running on your system as well, as shown below in NordVPN. Multiple users in the thread above have suggested running the game in borderless windowed mode as well.

Another alternative is that Apex may be excluded from the VPN tunnel (i.e. “Disable VPN for selected apps” instead of “Enable”). If you’re one of the unlucky few that can’t get Apex to work without a VPN, double-check your split tunneling settings.

5. IPv6 disabled

Another one in the series of “EAC broke Apex” is IPv6 addresses being disabled on your system. Alternatively, your VPN provider may not support IPv6 and disables it for security purposes.

This seems to be a common problem for Linux gamers, who struggle to get Apex Legends working smoothly with or without a VPN. That said, we’ve also seen Windows users experience the same issue, and re-enabling IPv6 on their system solved it.

To enable IPv6 on Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open the Start menu, look up “network”, and click “View network connections.”
2. Find your internet connection. The default should be “Ethernet”, “Local Area Connection”, or something similar.
3. Right-click the connection and scroll down to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
4. Check the setting to enable IPv6.

On Linux, simply remove “ipv6.disable=1” from GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT, update the grub config, and reboot the system. Naturally, this method is different depending on your distro, so look up the exact steps if you’re unsure how to proceed.

There are a handful of VPNs that support IPv6, too, if you want to check them out.

6. Kill switch

A VPN kill switch works by shutting off all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops. This can be helpful while playing Apex, as sudden IP changes may trigger the game’s security checks and could result in a temporary ban for “suspicious player activity.”

Of course, some overactive kill switches can trigger at the slightest hint of connection instability. If you typically experience connectivity issues (e.g. poor wi-fi) and can’t get your VPN working with Apex Legends, try turning off the kill switch and see if things improve.

7. DNS cache

The DNS cache holds a list of IP addresses, making it faster to access websites or the Apex game servers. However, sometimes, that cached DNS information is outdated, which could cause delays or failed requests/infinite loading when trying to connect to the game.

Fortunately, it only takes a few seconds to flush your DNS cache. Here’s what to do:

1. Right-click on the Start menu.
2. On Win 10: click Windows PowerShell (Admin); On Win 11: click Terminal (Admin).
3. Click Yes when prompted.
4. Copy and paste this command: ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

Still can’t get your VPN working with Apex Legends? Try these tips

If you’re still running into issues with your VPN in Apex, try these fixes:

• Restart your device: We can’t count the times a reboot fixed VPN hiccups with games like Apex. Give it a shot, especially if you’re playing Apex Legends Mobile with a VPN.
• Reboot your router: Same as above. Internet issues are often independent of the VPN itself, and all you need is a good restart to clear any issues.
• Update everything: Besides the game and your VPN, check if your operating system and network adapter drivers are up-to-date. The latter is a common issue on PC and could be the cause of your connectivity issues.
• Check firewall settings: Ensure your system or antivirus firewall isn’t blocking any EA services, Easy Anti-Cheat, your VPN app, or Apex Legends itself.
• Contact customer service: EA support isn’t particularly helpful, but you can always ask your VPN’s support reps for specific troubleshooting tips. They can tell you if parts of their service are unavailable, provide server suggestions, and so on.
• Contact your ISP: Check that your internet provider isn’t blocking any ports, whether it’s for your VPN or those used by Apex Legends.
• Try a different provider: Take advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees to test out multiple VPNs. If you can’t get your current VPN working with Apex Legends, one of our recommendations is sure to do the job.

Related: Best macro changes for high-level Apex

How to get a VPN working with Apex Legends on consoles

Wishing you could play in Apex bot lobbies on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch? Getting high ping on any of these consoles? Sadly, these gadgets don’t have innate VPN capabilities. The good news is that you can use a VPN router for the same effect.

Or, if you already have a compatible router firmware, you can install a VPN on it yourself. Here are some guides on how to set up a VPN on popular router brands:

• How to set up a VPN on ASUS routers
• How to set up a VPN on TP-Link routers
• How to set up a VPN on Linksys routers
• Best VPNs for Netgear routers (plus setup guide)

Once you’re done, any device that connects to that router will have an IP address from the region you selected during setup. Enjoy the more laid-back lobbies in London, Tokyo, Belgium, or other regions from the comfort of your couch!

How to get a VPN working with Apex Legends: FAQs