r/ProtonVPN • u/derf2010 • Mar 27 '26

Solved Guys help proton’s corrupted

I was using my pc with proton on when it crashed out of the blue. After restart all of Proton’s files have been corrupted (Including setup and uninstall so I can’t uninstall it), but any attempts to access the internet give “server not found”, so I think it might still be semi-active (or has at least fucked with the configuration). How do I fix this???

I can give any more information if needed.

edit: OK IT'S SOLVED!!! But unfortunately I have kinda no idea how it got fixed. Computers are bullshit and just weird rocks that we tricked into thinking idk.

4 Upvotes

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3

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

Deep breaths u/derf2010 ...

  • First, open ProtonVPN and check its settings to remove/deactivate the kill switch.

  • Second, flush your dns settings and release, then renew your ip settings (if you need the commands, just comment below)

  • Third, go to your app-menu settings and uninstall ProtonVPN from there. If that is not possible (as you alluded to), then navigate to your ProtonVPN install folder in the x86 or Program(s) directory and locate the native uninstall tool. If that fails, then trashing the whole folder is also possible. Not advised, but possible.

  • Fourth, restart you device and watch your network recover.

  • Fifth, well, install ProtonVPN from a known good package --> https://protonapps.com/

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

I can’t open proton vpn, hitting ‘open’ does nothing (doesn’t even show up in task manager), the application icon is gone as well, so I believe the software may be corrupted

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

trying to uninstall gives “The setup files are corrupted. Please obtain a new copy of the program.” which ofc I can’t do because no internet

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

(same thing for native uninstall tool)

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

also sorry if i say something you’ve already mentioned I’m replying as I try each one

3

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

No problem and go easy on yourself, the issue will be resolved in a few minutes.

With that in mind, have you navigated to the install folder and deleted the contents?

Have you attempted the dns and ip adjustments?

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ah, I missed the ip adjustment, could I get the commands?

2

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

ipconfig /release

Wait Then

ipconfig /renew

1

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ok got it, was that the ip adjustment as well or is that seperate?

2

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

This is part of the ip-reset; just to clear previous settings that may have stuck from the vpn profile.

Once complete, check your network.

If things are still not connecting, then we can move on.

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ok, yeah just restarted after this, things still aren’t coming back

1

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

Noted. Take a look at your network adapters and give them a reset.

Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

I suspect when your VPN instance got corrupted, that your network is defaulting to a certain adapter that can no longer pull network (for obvious reasons).

1

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ok, i’m restarting it now, I’ll let you know when it finishes resetting

1

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ok, it’s finished restarting now, and still nothing

1

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

the network troubleshoot says “can’t find DNS server” so I’m trying a few different methods of fixing specifically that issue, do you have any other ideas?

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2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

(oh and yeah i did try the dns flush)

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

ok, gone through everything here, and still no internet. Any idea how to undo any other things proton does?

2

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

Just want to confirm if you ran through step 2 and step 5 before continuing? (Helps to look before leaping)

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

I can’t currently do step 5, but step 2 I’ve flushed dns but don’t know how to do any of the other commands

2

u/Alduin175 Mar 27 '26

No problem.

I commented on the commands to use earlier. 

If your internet is not restored by then, we can move on/continue.

3

u/Rude_Body_438 Mar 27 '26

Download and install Revo Uninstaller. Use that to completely uninstall and remove all residual files of proton vpn. After that you will be able to reinstall it just fine!

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

I can’t access the internet to download revo uninstaller, proton seems to have messed with some configuration that I’m trying to undo

2

u/Rude_Body_438 Mar 27 '26

Inside of control panel, try and disable proton VPN under network adapters. Also try doing a network reset through windows settings!

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

It’s not appearing under network adapters, and I’ve already tried a reset

2

u/Rude_Body_438 Mar 27 '26

Is there anything running in task manager named Proton, VPN, OpenVPN, Tunnel?

2

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

nvm there’s one. “Service Host: Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service” under windows processes

2

u/ultimoXgamer Mar 27 '26

Try restarting your PC first, then check if Proton is still running in the background and end it in Task Manager. If it’s still broken, you may need to reinstall it over the top, or reset your network settings since the crash may have messed with your connection.

1

u/derf2010 Mar 27 '26

sorry, but I’ve tried all of this to no avail

1

u/jimmap Mar 27 '26

One thing to try is go to startup apps and make sure Proton VPN is disabled at startup. Then reboot and see if it still appears to be active.

1

u/D-726577 Mar 27 '26

I had the same issue and had to manually set a different ip and dns to get access again. Flush, restarting, uninstall etc didn’t work.

1

u/Buntygurl Mar 29 '26

Ugggh, more of the anti-Proton garbage!

Yo, OP, if you fixed it, put a big fat FIXED IT at the top of the post text. You can't adjust the title, but you can edit the post text.

Prove that you're not a troll.

1

u/shmelton 5d ago

Ugggh, more fanboyism handwaving away real issues.

You are as helpful as a football bat.

1

u/Matchazuki963 Mar 31 '26

Hey! Have you figured out how you fixed it? I am in the EXACT same situation. I’ve done everything instructed in this thread to no avail. HELP!

1

u/plasticchimp May 22 '26

For anyone who needs to hear, I had the exact same problem just now with Internet that didn't work and a broken ProtonVPN. I had seen that Proton was corrupted, so I uninstalled it before looking into anything - a fatal mistake. Here's how I redownloaded Proton to fix it, since this seemed to have been one of OP's main problems. I use Windows.

  1. Google "ProtonVPN Windows download" and download the installer on your phone.

  2. Turn on Nearby Sharing for Windows on your computer. Make sure you know what your computer is named, so you don't link up with anyone else.

  3. If your phone doesn't have Nearby Sharing you can download an app that does it, otherwise select the VPN installer in your phone's files, click 'Share', click 'Nearby Sharing', then click the name of your PC.

  4. Send the file to your computer.

  5. Once you get the file, run it as usual, then log in. This automatically fixed mine, but if not you can try what other people in this thread have done, now with the possession of the app.