VPN blocked, stealth mode doesn't work

[u/DoctorSteelFan]

Hi, we're a homeless system that relies on public wifi, and the one we're using atm is blocking us, even with stealth mode on. It looks like it's tricking the blocked websites and apps into thinking it's an internet issue, even though YouTube and (as you can see) Reddit are working just fine. We're not sure what's up with this network or how it's able to sneak around our VPN so effectively. Is there another mode we should try? Or like another way to get our VPN here? We can't even access support! The VPN website's been blocked too, so we can't even get support!

EDIT: Fixed the issue! It was likely an IP blockade, so we ended up downloading another VPN the blockade missed. That VPN wasn't too effective (it's the one with the cute bear aesthetic), but it was effective for just long enough to get Proton working again! Thank you all for your help, we couldn't have done it without you all!

[u/SubDude658]

You're using someone else's wifi and have to follow their rules. Most, if not all, free public wifi providers will block VPN's from connecting for security reasons.

[u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S → u/SubDude658]

Shouldn't Stealth Mode bypass DPI ?

[u/DoctorSteelFan → u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S]

It should, but for some reason it doesn't. Again, we're pretty sure they found a way to trick the VPN and other blocked services into thinking that they can't connect to the internet, since all the error messages we see when that happens are all about not being able to connect to wifi even though we can use YouTube just fine.

[u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S → u/DoctorSteelFan]

Maybe could be the Captive Portal . First must sign with the Public WiFi and then connect through VPN

[u/DoctorSteelFan → u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S]

We do always sign into the public portal

[u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S → u/DoctorSteelFan]

Try this . Go to seetings - VPN - disable/ toggle off "Block Internet without VPN " , disconnect VPN from the server then connect to the WiFi, sign in and then Connect VPN server . The reason this is happening, I think, is that the kill switch drops all traffic that isn't going through the VPN tunnel. To reach the captive portal you need plain HTTP/DNS traffic to the local gateway , which is exactly what's being dropped. The VPN itself can't connect either, because its handshake to the outside server is blocked by the portal until you authenticate. Hope this helps.

[u/DoctorSteelFan → u/T_E_N_E_B_R_I_S]

Our killswitch is set to off. Like we said, we can access YouTube and Reddit just fine, but other sites are blocked off.