VPN Disconnecting on Android? Quick Fix Guide

Android phone showing VPN disconnect icon and settings – VPN disconnecting Android troubleshooting

Unexpected VPN drops are one of the most common issues Android users face. If Free VPN Grass keeps disconnecting on your Android device, you can fix most causes quickly by adjusting system settings, app permissions, and connection choices.

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Why does Free VPN Grass keep disconnecting on Android?

Android devices use aggressive power and network management to extend battery life and optimize performance. These systems can pause or kill background apps, drop dormant network sockets, or restrict apps that appear to use a lot of data. When that happens, apps like Free VPN Grass can lose their active connection and show as disconnected.

Other frequent triggers include poor Wi‑Fi or mobile data signals, outdated app versions, misconfigured VPN protocols, or missing permissions. Most disconnects are resolvable with targeted configuration changes or network tests.

Common causes of VPN disconnections

Understanding the root cause helps you apply the right fix. Common reasons include:

  • Aggressive battery optimization (Doze mode) or app background restrictions
  • Flaky Wi‑Fi: weak signal, captive portals, or unstable ISP routing
  • Mobile data handoffs between towers or switching between Wi‑Fi and mobile
  • App lacks required permissions or is blocked by data saver settings
  • Outdated app or Android OS with known network bugs
  • Incompatible VPN protocol or overloaded VPN server

How to stop Free VPN Grass disconnecting (step-by-step)

Follow these steps in order. After each step, test Free VPN Grass to see if the disconnects stop.

  1. 1. Enable Always‑On VPN and block bypass

    Open Android Settings > Network & internet > VPN. Tap the gear icon next to Free VPN Grass and turn on “Always-on VPN”. Enable “Block connections without VPN” if available. This prevents the system from routing traffic outside the VPN during brief drops.

  2. 2. Whitelist Free VPN Grass from battery optimization

    Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Free VPN Grass > Battery > Battery optimization. Select “Don’t optimize” or “Not optimized”. This stops Android from suspending the app in Doze or background modes.

  3. 3. Allow background data and remove data saver limits

    In the app info page, enable “Background data” and make sure Data Saver isn’t restricting the VPN. This allows Free VPN Grass to keep network sockets alive even when the screen is off.

  4. 4. Grant all necessary app permissions

    Ensure Free VPN Grass has necessary permissions such as “Allow VPN”, “Location” if used for network detection, and optional storage permission if logging is needed. Incorrect or missing permissions can block proper operation.

  5. 5. Update the app and Android OS

    Open Google Play and update Free VPN Grass to the latest version. Also check for Android system updates. Bug fixes and improved networking code often resolve persistent disconnects.

  6. 6. Switch servers or protocols

    If disconnects occur on a specific server, try another server or change from UDP to TCP (or vice versa). TCP is more stable on lossy networks; UDP is faster but less resilient.

  7. 7. Test network stability and reset network settings

    Run a speed test and check for packet loss. If problems persist across networks, reset network settings: Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi‑Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Reconnect and test Free VPN Grass again.

Advanced troubleshooting

If basic steps don’t help, try these targeted checks:

  • Disable IPv6 on your router or phone (some servers handle IPv6 poorly).
  • Switch DNS: use Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) to avoid DNS-related drops.
  • Check for security or firewall apps that block VPN traffic.
  • Test on a different device to confirm whether the issue is device-specific.
  • Use a log: enable troubleshooting logs in Free VPN Grass and share them with support for deep diagnosis.

If you experience frequent disconnects while switching networks (Wi‑Fi ↔ mobile), enable “Always-on” and ensure “Block connections without VPN” is set so apps won’t leak traffic during handovers.

Comparison: Android settings that affect VPN

This table summarizes how different settings influence VPN stability and when to change them.

Setting Effect on VPN When to change
Battery optimization (On) May pause or kill Free VPN Grass in background, causing disconnects Disable for VPN apps when experiencing unexplained drops
Always‑On VPN (Off) VPN won’t automatically reconnect when system suspends connections Enable to prevent leaks and ensure persistent connectivity
Data Saver (On) Can restrict background data; may interrupt VPN sockets Allow background data or exempt Free VPN Grass
VPN protocol (UDP vs TCP) UDP is faster but less reliable on unstable networks; TCP is slower but more stable Switch to TCP if you notice frequent packet loss or disconnects

Quick tips:

  • Always test after changing one setting so you know which change fixed the issue.
  • Keep a note of original settings to revert if needed.

When to contact support

Contact Free VPN Grass support if you’ve tried the steps above and still face frequent disconnects. Provide:

  • Android version and device model
  • Free VPN Grass app version
  • Which servers/protocols you tested
  • Screenshots or logs showing the disconnect timing
  • Network types where the issue occurs (Wi‑Fi, mobile, both)

With these details, support can check server-side logs, suggest optimized servers, or provide a patched client if there’s a known bug.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my VPN keep disconnecting when my phone sleeps?

Android’s Doze and app standby modes may suspend background network activity when the device sleeps. To prevent this for Free VPN Grass, exempt the app from battery optimization, enable Always‑On VPN, and allow background data so the connection stays active.

Will switching protocols reduce disconnects?

Yes. Switching from UDP to TCP often improves stability on unreliable networks because TCP handles packet loss and retransmission better. Try different protocols in Free VPN Grass to see which balances speed and reliability for your connection.

Does my Wi‑Fi router cause Free VPN Grass to drop?

Yes—unstable routers, poor signal strength, or ISP-level routing issues can trigger disconnects. Test on another Wi‑Fi or mobile network, restart your router, and disable IPv6 or VPN-blocking firewall features on the router if necessary.

Should I disable battery optimization for all apps?

No—only exempt apps that require persistent background activity, like VPNs or messaging apps. Exempting many apps reduces battery savings. For Free VPN Grass, whitelist it so the VPN can maintain continuous connections without Android suspending it.

What logs should I send to support if disconnects continue?

Include the Free VPN Grass app version, Android build, time stamps of disconnects, server names, and any app logs exported via the app’s debug feature. Also note whether the drop occurs on Wi‑Fi, mobile data, or both to speed diagnosis.

Conclusion

Most disconnect issues with Free VPN Grass on Android are caused by system-level battery and network policies, unstable networks, or misconfigured app settings. By enabling Always‑On VPN, exempting the app from battery optimization, granting necessary permissions, and testing different servers or protocols, you can restore a stable VPN connection in most cases.

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