Quick answer
The safest way to check a VPN is to compare your visible IP before and after connecting, then confirm that IPv6 and WebRTC are not exposing an extra route.
Step-by-step check
- Record your public IP with the VPN off.
- Connect to the VPN server you want to test.
- Check your public IP again.
- Compare IPv4 and IPv6 results.
- Run a WebRTC leak test.
- Look for DNS leaks if your setup supports a DNS test.
What a good result looks like
Public IP changed
The visible IPv4 or IPv6 changed after the VPN connected, which is the basic sign the tunnel is active.
No extra public WebRTC IP
The browser did not reveal an additional public IP beyond the route you expected.
IPv6 is controlled
If IPv6 exists, it should either change with the VPN or be blocked in a controlled way.
DNS is not leaking
If you have a DNS test available, the resolver should match the privacy path you expect, not your direct ISP.
What a VPN check cannot prove
A passing browser test does not certify every app, every route, or every future session. It only describes the evidence visible from the current browser and network state.
That is why the result should be treated as a signal, not a privacy certificate.
Check your VPN with the live tool
Compare your connection before and after the VPN, then review the result explanation and next actions.
Open VPN CheckFrequently asked questions
Is a changed IP enough to prove my VPN works?
It is a good sign, but not enough on its own. You also want to check IPv6, WebRTC, and where possible DNS.
Can a VPN still leak my real IP?
Yes. WebRTC or IPv6 leaks can expose a second route even when the main traffic is going through the VPN.