I've been using a VPN extension on my laptop in Russia, but recently it seems to have stopped working. Whenever I turn the VPN on, any website or even Google just keeps loading with a blank white screen, and I can't access anything. However, when I disable the VPN, Google and other sites that don't require a VPN load perfectly. I've tried out different VPN extensions and switched browsers, but the problem persists. Interestingly, I used a standalone VPN app, and it works fine with my messenger apps, so it seems like the issue is browser-related. If anyone has suggestions on what to try or any solutions, I'd really appreciate it!
3 Answers
If you've already gone through a good number of VPNs and apps, it might be worth trying to see if some paid options have free trials. I get that you'd rather not spend money without being sure it's the VPN, but sometimes the free ones just don't cut it in certain regions.
It sounds like it could be a DNS issue. Have you tried pinging google.com or 1.1.1.1? If those don't work, you might need to dig a little deeper into DNS settings, but it could also just be the VPN itself not working properly in your area.
A quick search shows that Russia blocks many VPN services, which might be what's happening here. If the VPN you’re using is blocked, that could definitely explain the browser issues. Have you tried using different VPNs or even apps instead of extensions? That way, it would tunnel your whole computer’s internet traffic, not just your browser.
I get that! Some VPNs are definitely more reliable than others in that region. Have you checked if your Mac's Language and Region settings match the VPN's location? Changing those might help, along with trying different network providers.

I attempted that, but it seems like DNS isn't the problem after all. That’s what’s frustrating!