Why does Grammarly not work with a VPN?

You’re not alone if you’ve been frantically googling “Why does Grammarly not work with VPN?” with no results. Many users have encountered issues while using the two tools together, and Grammarly’s support articles mostly suggest turning off your VPN.

But what if that’s not an option? There are valid reasons why someone would want to keep their VPN on while using Grammarly—whether you’re working on a project and have Netflix in the background or simply value your privacy.

Below, we explore why Grammarly might not work with a VPN and provide some tips and fixes. Towards the end, we’ll also cover some FAQs about why Grammarly might be blocked on your network or fail to work in certain situations.

Why does Grammarly not work with a VPN? 5 reasons + fixes

Several issues could cause Grammarly to not work with your VPN, including connection instability, conflicts with a VPN server (or feature) you’re using, geo-restrictions, or Grammarly’s built-in security mechanisms. We go into more details and offer fixes below.

1. Connectivity issues

VPNs can sometimes slow down or interrupt the connection between your device and Grammarly’s servers. This can lead to functionality problems and errors such as “Your Internet connection is unstable.”

Here’s a summary of what to do if you’re experiencing issues:

• Connect to a server closer to your general area, preferably with a lower load, for better performance.
• Switch to a different VPN protocol, such as WireGuard or NordLynx.
• Change networks (e.g., using a Wi-Fi switch to a wired connection).
• Turn off your antivirus or firewall temporarily. If the issue goes away in either case, you might need to add a firewall exception for Grammarly.
• Reboot your router.
• Ensure your VPN, Grammarly, and your operating system are all up-to-date.

2. VPN server conflicts

Grammarly may block VPN server IPs if they’re frequently used for malicious activities or spam. It’s the same reason you might see CAPTCHA challenges on Google and other websites when using a VPN.

Now, switching servers usually solves the problem. Not so much when using a free VPN, though, as they’re much easier for malicious third parties to exploit.

Besides, free providers typically throttle your bandwidth, have overcrowded servers, or feature issues that may cause Grammarly to not work with the VPN. To avoid any headaches, we recommend sticking with the best VPN services.

3. Security and privacy concerns

Grammarly processes any sensitive data you write by transmitting it to their servers for analysis. A VPN masks your IP address and routes your traffic through different servers, potentially across various locations. This can disrupt Grammarly’s ability to verify your identity and ensure the data comes from a legitimate source.

As a result, Grammarly might interpret these changes in IP or server locations as suspicious activity, which could lead to temporary account restrictions or errors in accessing their services. This is done to protect user data and maintain the integrity of their system.

Here’s what you can do about it:

• Connect to the same server location when using Grammarly to reduce the chances of triggering its security measures (although we know this might be difficult for digital nomads)
• Enable split tunneling in your settings to allow Grammarly to bypass the VPN tunnel while protecting your other data. Here’s how to split tunnel VPN traffic if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
• If Grammarly isn’t working correctly while the VPN is active, disable it temporarily and re-enable it when you’re done.

4. Problems with specific VPN features

Much like ad-blockers and similar browser extensions can interfere with Grammarly functionality, so can certain VPN features.

You see, Grammarly works by injecting scripts into web pages, whether text analysis, UI/UX, or security and session management scripts. As a result, Grammarly could not work with your VPN if its built-in ad or threat blocker conflicts with these scripts.

For instance, you may get the dreaded Grammarly “Lost Connection” error, as seen below.

Try disabling such features (e.g., NordVPN’s Threat Protection) to rule out potential conflicts. If Grammarly starts working correctly afterward, you’ll know the VPN’s blocking features were the cause. You can then adjust your VPN settings or whitelist Grammarly to prevent further issues.

5. Geo-restrictions

Grammarly’s support page explains that they collect your geographical location to safeguard against fraudulent activity, protect your account from unauthorized access, and ensure their services align with any legal requirements in your region.

So, while it’s less common, it’s possible for Grammarly to not work with your VPN due to geo-restrictions. See one such example below:

Grammarly is unavailable in your country. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Grammarly has suspended service to accounts in Russia and Belarus.

Of course, it seems users outside these countries are also experiencing this issue. People have been getting the geo-block error even if they have never visited either region:

• One user claims that the issue may have been his smartphone, which apparently was a Russian Xiaomi model. They fixed the issue by deleting all data and reinstalling Grammarly.
• Another user reported Grammarly not working with his VPN as well, and getting the same message. As one reply pointed out, some VPNs (usually free ones) may show you’re connecting to a specific region (e.g. Spain), when in fact your data is routed through a different location. In this case, Russia.

To avoid such issues, it’s best to choose trusted VPN providers with plenty of worldwide servers. This will also prevent you from having your personal data exposed online.

Other things to try if Grammarly does not work with a VPN

If all else fails, here are some more fixes you can try:

• Sign out and back into your Grammarly and/or VPN account.
• Clear your cache and cookies, or use your browser’s private/incognito mode.
• Reinstall Microsoft Edge WebView. Grammarly suggests the Evergreen Bootstrapper version.
• Reinstall Grammarly entirely.
• Consult with Grammarly and/or your VPN provider’s customer support.
• Switch to a different VPN. Most providers nowadays have month-long money-back policies, allowing you to see which VPN plays nicely with Grammarly.

Grammarly noting work with a VPN FAQs