---
title: "Surfshark on Mac: check the VPN and fix connection problems · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/surfshark-vpn-mac"
description: "Check how Surfshark routes traffic on a Mac, investigate a failed connection, and find its relevant VPN settings."
---

VPN, proxy and filters

# Surfshark on Mac: check the VPN and fix connection problems

When Surfshark connects but a site does not load, check the VPN status, route and app settings before changing them.

Applies to: macOS and the current app version; managed Macs can have organization policies. · Checked: 2 November 2026

## Symptoms

- Surfshark says it is connected, but a site or app does not load.
- The Mac has no internet after the VPN changes state.

## Likely causes

- **Kill switch.** Surfshark says Kill Switch cuts off internet after an unexpected VPN disconnect until the VPN reconnects. Find the control in Settings > VPN Settings.
- **DNS.** Surfshark documents custom DNS in macOS Network settings. Record any existing entries before changing them, and check with your administrator on a managed Mac.
- **IPv6.** Surfshark says its VPN does not support IPv6 and suggests disabling it when troubleshooting on macOS. Its guide does not describe a separate Mac IPv6 leak-protection toggle.
- **Other possible causes.** A Wi-Fi sign-in page, DNS failure, another filter or an unavailable service can also interrupt a connection.

## How to check

1. Open Surfshark and check its connection state and any warning.
2. Check whether another website works. On public Wi-Fi, complete any required network sign-in.
3. On a managed Mac, ask your administrator before changing VPN or security settings.

## How to fix it

1. In Surfshark, open Settings > VPN Settings and review Kill Switch. Reconnect the VPN if needed.
2. If the connection still fails, follow the provider support guide linked below.

## With Kilobat

1. Health > Where traffic leaves shows whether the default route uses a VPN. A split route does not mean every destination uses it.
2. With the VPN connected, choose Check for Leaks in Health > Where traffic leaves or Settings > Network.
3. The test checks DNS resolver paths, IPv6 routing and UDP using STUN. A skipped check is not a pass.
4. It contacts external services, which see your address. It cannot run a browser WebRTC test or prove every app is private.
5. Run the same test in Terminal.

   ```
   kilobat vpn leaks
   ```

## Questions

**Why did internet stop after Surfshark disconnected?**

If Kill Switch is on, Surfshark can block internet until the VPN reconnects.

**Does a VPN status prove all apps are private?**

No. A route or leak test describes the paths checked at that moment. It does not establish privacy for every app.

## Sources

- [Surfshark: how to use Kill Switch](https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016978413-How-to-use-Kill-Switch)
- [Surfshark: macOS connection troubleshooting](https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021563580-How-to-fix-unable-to-connect-issues-on-macOS)
- [Surfshark: macOS DNS settings](https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360022831474-How-to-configure-custom-DNS-on-a-macOS-device)
- [Kilobat docs: VPN leak test](https://kilobat.app/docs/vpn#leak-test)

Checked on 2 November 2026.

## Related guides

- [VPN connected but no internet on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/vpn-connected-no-internet): A VPN sends traffic through a tunnel.
- [DNS queries go outside the VPN on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/vpn-dns-leak-mac): With a VPN on, you usually want DNS queries to go to the VPN's servers.
- [Tailscale and another VPN conflict on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/tailscale-vpn-routing-conflicts): Tailscale gives each device an address in 100.64.0.0/10.