About a week ago the VPN in Secure Browser Pro quit connecting. This happened on three computers in two separate locations. Sometimes it just churns and other times it says it cannot connect to a server.
I have been through a couple of Secure Browser updates since then and have re-installed several times on one of the computers.
The stand alone VPN still works.
I filed a ticket with AVG a few days ago and had no resolution and have not heard back from them.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi @system_0055p00000AL4xuAAD_Craig_Wilson,
We are not able to replicate this issue on AVG Secure Browser.
Please could you follow the below steps
Step 1: Disconnect the Standalone AVG Secure VPN
If you have installed AVG Ultimate or a separate AVG Secure VPN subscription installed, ensure it is fully disconnected before trying to connect the VPN inside Secure Browser PRO. Running both simultaneously causes a conflict that prevents the browser’s VPN from working.
Step 2: Verify Your Internet Connection
Turn off the Secure Browser VPN and confirm your internet is working normally. If not, troubleshoot user network/router first.
Step 3: Try a Different VPN Server Location
Inside AVG Secure Browser PRO, open the VPN panel and switch to a different server location (preferably one closer to your current location).
Step 4: Run AVG Secure Browser PRO as Administrator
Right-click the AVG Secure Browser PRO icon on your desktop and select “Run as administrator”, then try enabling the VPN again.
Step 5: Disable Browser Extensions Temporarily
Some extensions within AVG Secure Browser PRO may interfere with the VPN. Go to Menu (⋮) → More tools → Extensions and disable all extensions, then retry the VPN connection.
Step 6: Try a Different Network / Mobile Hotspot
Connect your computer to a different Wi-Fi network or use a mobile hotspot to test if the VPN connects. If it works on the hotspot, restart your router and retry on your main network.
Step 7: Adjust DNS Settings
Try adjusting your DNS settings by following this AVG support guide: Troubleshoot AVG DNS
Step 8: Check Firewall / Router Settings
Ensure your router has IPSec or VPN Passthrough enabled. Some routers disable this by default, which prevents VPN connections from establishing.
Step 9: Repair AVG Secure Browser PRO
Open Windows Settings → Apps
Find AVG Secure Browser in the list
Click Modify/Repair and follow the on-screen instructions
Restart your PC after the repair and retry the VPN
Step 10: Update AVG Secure Browser PRO
Open AVG Secure Browser PRO → Menu (⋮) → Help → About AVG Secure Browser and check for any pending updates. Install them and restart.
Step 11: Clean Reinstall Using the Removal Tool
https://download.avgbrowser.com/avg_secure_browser_uninstall.exe
If all steps above fail, perform a clean reinstall:
Download and run the AVG Secure Browser Removal Tool: avg_secure_browser_uninstall.exe — this removes all configuration files
Restart your PC
Download and reinstall the latest AVG Secure Browser: Download AVG Secure Browser AVG | Thank you for downloading
Open the browser and test the VPN
Step 12: Provide Diagnostic Information (if issue persists)
If VPN still fails after the clean reinstall:
Open AVG Secure Browser PRO
Go to Menu (⋮) → Help → About AVG Secure Browser
Click “Diagnostic Information” and copy the complete text
Have disconnected stand alone VPN and tried on a computer without stand alone VPN installed.
Have verified my internet is working properly.
Have tried many different VPN servers, both domestic and international.
Have run as administrator
disabled all extensions I can, including those shown in developer mode. I don’t know where to disable the other extensions I never installed, such as Google Hangouts.
Have tried a different network, different access point, different internet provider.
Tried the DNS settings suggested.
Cannot find anything related to this. Secure Browser VPN used to work and have made no changes to WiFi modem.
Modify button doesn’t do anything. No repair option.
Updated multiple times.
Downloaded and ran the uninstall tool, then re-installed the latest browser.
executable_path=C:\Program Files\AVG\Browser\Application\AVGBrowser.exe
profile_path=C:\Users\Archon\AppData\Local\AVG\Browser\User Data\Default
os_version=Windows 10 v22H2 (x64)
av_engines=AVG Antivirus, AMSI - AVG IAntimalwareProvider implementation
active_av_engine=AVG Antivirus
av_version=26.9.11171
av_last_update_check=2026:09:22 04:45:11
av_vps_version=260930-0
av_vps_definition_time=2026:09:29 21:15:10
urlscanner_version=Builtin urlscanner
mimic_version=v0.1.31-4579cc6
host_prefix=
browser_version=152.0.35367.42 (Official Build (64-bit))
cgid=xxx
cid=xxxx
uid=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Channel: stable
OS language: en-us
Browser language: en-US
Search Engine URL: (URL Removed by Admin)
Omaha version: 1.8.1996.6
Subscription Information:
Subscription id: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Issue date: Feb 6, 2023
Expiration date: Feb 6, 2027
License period: 1 year(s)
Status: Paid Active
Enabled extensions:
aiflfikppbhblbaedmkmnjkkohpbinpn : Browser Phishing Protection : 2.3.0.1027
beghmmhchncjignfbfnemngnlnjdmbcb : Anti-Fingerprinting : 2.7.349
gjcfnponmdkenfdibginkmlmediekpnm : Messaging : 1.38.0.1315
hglfhehnlngcghjibkocbphocccdoipk : Side Panel : 3.10.1158
jfijboeaeajnoejbcdbhejlnmhepeige : NTP Extension : 4.3.516
mhjfbmdgcfjbbpaeojofohoefgiehjai : Chromium PDF Viewer : 1
nkeimhogjdpnpccoofpliimaahmaaome : Google Hangouts : 1.3.26
Disabled extensions:
clggpfnpeplbjdaaamipnmaicenicaji : Cookie Consent Manager : 2.0.188
kdhipfbocahipinepiahppeionfbahlg : Video Downloader : 3.1.0.1232
onochehmbbbmkaffnheflmfpfjgppblm : Privacy Guard : 5.4.601
pbnlklembegknchclakjohhpdccfllbe : Coupons : 8.7.0.906
On this computer, the usual response to turning on the VPN is “VPN unavailable”, “can’t connect to server”. When I click away and back to Secure Browser, the VPN Off/On button is swirling, looking to connect.
This problem has been going on for well over a week now. Multiple computers, multiple networks, multiple locations, stand alone VPN works well, Secure Browser Pro VPN can’t connect.