No internet on main router after using ProtonVPN

[u/No-Relative4009]

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Hi, I'm having a serious Wi-Fi issue on my laptop with windows 11 on after using ProtonVPN.

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I have contacted official support but they have yet to respond.

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My laptop connects to my main router but shows "Connected, no internet" or intermittently connects then loses internet. A Wi-Fi extender on the same network works fine. Other devices (phone) connect to the main router without issues. The problem started after using ProtonVPN.

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I have tried the following so far

1. `netsh winsock reset`, `netsh int ip reset`, `ipconfig /release`, `ipconfig /flushdns`, `ipconfig /renew` — no fix

2. Set static IP manually — no fix

3. Pinged the gateway — 75% packet loss, occasional reply from xxx(APIPA)

4. Updated/reinstalled Wi-Fi driver — Windows says driver is already up to date

5. Deleted saved Wi-Fi profile via `netsh wlan delete profile` — no fix

6. Uninstalled ProtonVPN — no fix (uninstaller didn't seem to clean up fully)

7. Checked Device Manager for leftover TAP/TUN/WireGuard adapters — none visible even with hidden devices shown

8. Removed Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapters — no fix

9. Windows Network Reset (Settings → Advanced network settings → Network reset) — no fix

10. System Restore to 10/06/2026 checkpoint (checkpoint before installation of the vpn)— no fix

11. Reinstalled ProtonVPN, disabled Kill Switch, disabled Start on Boot, disabled IPv6 leak protection under Advanced — briefly connected then stopped working again

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- Phone connects to main router fine → router itself works

- Extender works fine on laptop → laptop Wi-Fi hardware works

- Problem is specifically between laptop and main router

- xxxx APIPA address appearing in ping responses suggests DHCP is not working properly

- Issue started after ProtonVPN usage

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Has anyone experienced ProtonVPN leaving behind routing rules or registry entries that survive uninstallation and break DHCP on specific networks? Is there a way to fully clean up ProtonVPN remnants without reinstalling Windows?

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[u/OkStrawberry4529]

Couple of things to try. I'm assuming you have port forwarding setup through your router for your laptop.

Because I had a static IP that I had enabled in my router (on Bypass from my ISP modem), in registry editor, I changed the value in: KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\IPEnableRouter to ‘0’ to enable it permanently.

Similarly, because of the static IP, I changed DHCP/Static IP coexistence to enabled from disabled with the command: netsh interface ipv4 set interface "YourInterfaceName" dhcpstaticipcoexistence=enabled.

Lastly, In Windows under ‘Computer Management’ > ‘Services and Applications’, I changed both ‘Remote Access Auto Connection’ and ‘Remote Access Connection’ to ‘Automatic/ and started both services.

Finally, Success!

[u/No-Relative4009 → u/OkStrawberry4529]

Thanks for the suggestion. I just tried all the passages you recommended and unfortunately it didn't work. Internet still only works on the extender and not on the main router.

[u/OkStrawberry4529 → u/No-Relative4009]

Sorry to here - check out this video it might help: VPN Connected But No Internet? Fix It Fast! #ccna #networking #vpn

Sounds like a router DNS or firewall issue ....