🔧 Connection Issues Help
Comprehensive troubleshooting guide to fix Shadowrocket connection problems and network issues
Quick Fix: 90% of connection issues can be resolved by checking server details, trying a different server, or restarting the app.
🚀 Quick Fixes (Try These First)
- Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection
- Try Different Server: Switch to another server location
- Restart App: Close and reopen Shadowrocket completely
- Toggle VPN: Turn off and on the VPN connection
- Restart Device: Reboot your phone/computer
- Update App: Make sure you have the latest version
🔍 Common Connection Problems
⏱️ Connection Timeout
Symptoms:
- "Connection timeout" error message
- App stuck on "Connecting..." status
- Long delay before connection fails
Solutions:
- Check if server address and port are correct
- Try servers closer to your location
- Switch to a different protocol (SS → V2Ray)
- Check if your ISP is blocking VPN traffic
- Try using mobile data instead of WiFi
🔐 Authentication Failed
Symptoms:
- "Authentication failed" error
- "Invalid password" message
- "Access denied" notification
Solutions:
- Verify username and password are correct
- Check if account subscription is active
- Re-enter server credentials manually
- Contact VPN provider to verify account status
- Try refreshing subscription if using subscription URL
🌐 DNS Resolution Failed
Symptoms:
- "Cannot resolve hostname" error
- "DNS lookup failed" message
- Websites won't load even when connected
Solutions:
- Change DNS settings to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1
- Use IP address instead of hostname
- Check DNS settings in Shadowrocket configuration
- Try different network (WiFi → Mobile data)
- Flush DNS cache on your device
📡 Server Unreachable
Symptoms:
- "Server unreachable" error
- "No route to host" message
- Ping test fails to server
Solutions:
- Verify server is online and operational
- Check if port is correct (common: 443, 80, 8080)
- Try different server from same provider
- Check firewall settings on your device
- Contact server provider for status update
🔧 Advanced Troubleshooting
Network Diagnostics:
Test Commands (iOS/Android):
- Test different networks (WiFi/Mobile)
- Check app permissions
- Review VPN profile settings
- Monitor data usage
Test Commands (Desktop):
ping server-addresstelnet server-address portnslookup server-domaintraceroute server-address
📱 Platform-Specific Issues
iOS Issues:
- VPN profile installation failed
- Certificate trust issues
- App Store download restrictions
- iOS VPN permission denied
- Background app refresh disabled
Android Issues:
- VPN connection request denied
- Always-on VPN conflicts
- Battery optimization blocking
- Unknown sources disabled
- Network security policy
Windows Issues:
- Windows Defender blocking
- Firewall configuration
- TAP adapter problems
- Administrator rights required
- Antivirus software conflicts
macOS Issues:
- System extension blocked
- Gatekeeper restrictions
- Network extension permission
- Keychain access problems
- System Integrity Protection
🌐 ISP and Network Restrictions
Common ISP Blocks:
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): ISP analyzes traffic patterns
- Port Blocking: Common VPN ports (443, 1194) are blocked
- IP Blacklisting: Known VPN server IPs are blocked
- DNS Filtering: VPN domain names are blocked
Workarounds:
- Use obfuscated servers or protocols
- Try different ports (80, 8080, 53)
- Use domain fronting techniques
- Connect via mobile data hotspot
- Use bridge or relay servers
📞 Getting Additional Help
Before Contacting Support:
- Note error messages exactly
- Try multiple servers
- Test on different networks
- Record when issue started
- List troubleshooting steps tried
Information to Provide:
- Device and OS version
- Shadowrocket app version
- Server location being used
- Internet provider (ISP)
- Screenshots of errors
🆘 Still Need Help?
If none of these solutions work, our support team is here to help with personalized assistance.