ProtonVPN update impacting MullvadVPN

Off Topic
1

Not sure if anyone else has experienced this and definitely not skilled enough to find the source cause, but thought someone might be interested or possibly help.

Issue: Recent update to ProtonVPN causing a repeatable impact on MullvadVPN.
My assumption is that ProtonVPN installs something running in the background but am unsure how to track it down further.

Background:
I use MullvadVPN and Mullvad browser for all my main activities. (Windows 11 PC).
When websites don’t work (banking, etc.), I switch to ProtonVPN and use Braver or FireFox, then back to Mullvad when I’m done.

Recently ProtonVPN updated (4.1.11) and an odd behavior started:

  • MullvadVPN up and running but Mullvad browser would not open the regular websites.
    (no changes to Mullvad apps, only ProtonVPN updated)

Testing:
Close MullvadVPN and browser. Startup ProtonVPN. Startup Mullvad browser and all websites open as normal.
Close ProtonVPN and start up MullvadVPN. NOW all websites open normally.

Performed this testing scenario multiple times and able to repeat results consistently.

Contacted Mullvad support. They had me Uninstall ProtonVPN. This fixed the problem. Now, MullvadVPN running and Mullvad browser opens all websites normally.

So, I then reinstalled ProtonVPN and the same bad behavior reappeared.

Now, I turn on the Windows PC (MullvadVPN starts as boot).

  1. Disconnect MullvadVPN
  2. Start and connect ProtonVPN
  3. Disconnect ProtonVPN
  4. Connect MullvadVPN
  5. Start Mullvad browser
  6. All websites start normally

Again, my assumption is that ProtonVPN installs something running in the background but am unsure how to track it down further.

2

Could be ProtonVPNs kill switch causing issues? Try disabling it and testing again.

2 Likes
3

Using two VPNs at the same time is a good way to cause any number of issues. It’s also silly to expect two VPNs can work as they say they will on the same computer on the same admin/user account - if you ask me.

Follow the advice of the support one way or the other and use one that you want more. What you’re trying to do is not something any VPN supports.

1 Like
4

What I find interesting is that it is simply that the ProtonVPN application was installed, not started and not running.

The FIX is to start the ProtonVPN, then disconnect from it to enable MullvadVPN to work again.

This was not an issue until the latest ProtonVPN update.
(Killswitch was not enabled)

5

Are you certain the Proton VPN service is also not running? It’s not surprising issues persist if it’s only the GUI application that gets closed. GitHub - ProtonVPN/win-app: Official ProtonVPN Windows app

1 Like
6

Have you looked into your VPN profiles settings in Windows? Maybe something there is causing a problem if Kill Switch wasn’t the issue

7

I understand that using multiple VPN application could cause issues. There is a reason to do this though.
I prefer MullvadVPN and Mullvad browser.
Not all websites work with this configuration.

I don’t want to be online with protection and they do work with ProtonVPN.

The part I found interesting is that they both worked together fine up until this lates ProtonVPN update. I was really hoping to understand what ProtonVPN could possibly be running that first stops MullvadVPN, but then allows it to function properly.

1 Like
8

Thank you for the response. I do not know how to look for that in Windows.

9

I recommend following the link or searching for that in settings.

10

(apologies… I didn’t realize that word “Windows” was a link.)
Thank you for that!