Does Surfshark Work with IPv6? How to Check
Surfshark is one of the most popular VPNs available today. It offers strong encryption, fast speeds, and reliable protection across different devices.
However, one question that often comes up is whether Surfshark supports IPv6. The answer is no. Surfshark currently works only with IPv4 and does not provide support for IPv6 traffic.
This can be confusing for users who see IPv6 mentioned in their network settings or while checking their internet protocol version online. To understand the reason behind this and what you can do about it, let’s break it down in simple terms.
What is IPv6 and Why Does it Matter?
Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are used to identify devices on the internet. For a long time, IPv4 has been the standard, providing over 4 billion unique addresses. But with the rapid growth of devices connected to the internet, IPv4 addresses started running out.
That is where IPv6 comes in. IPv6 was designed to replace IPv4 and offers a much larger pool of addresses. It also comes with added security and efficiency improvements. Many internet service providers (ISPs) are now slowly rolling out IPv6.
However, most VPNs, including Surfshark, have not fully adopted IPv6. This creates a situation where IPv6 traffic can potentially leak outside the VPN tunnel, exposing your real IP address and location.
Does Surfshark Work with IPv6?
The short answer is no. Surfshark does not support IPv6 connections. It only tunnels IPv4 traffic through its encrypted servers. If your device or network is using IPv6, that traffic can bypass the VPN and lead to what is known as an IPv6 leak.
This does not mean Surfshark is unsafe. In fact, Surfshark actively blocks IPv6 requests to prevent leaks. By default, when you use Surfshark, your device will use only IPv4 while connected to the VPN.
But in some cases, it is safer to disable IPv6 manually, especially if you notice connection drops or unexpected IP leaks.
How to Check if Your Network Uses IPv6
Before making any changes, it is important to confirm whether your ISP and device are using IPv6. The process is simple.
- Open your browser and go to an IPv6 test website such as test-ipv6.com.
- The site will automatically check your connection and tell you if IPv6 is enabled.
- If the results show only IPv4, you do not need to worry. If IPv6 appears active, you should consider disabling it to avoid leaks while using Surfshark.
You can also check directly in your device’s network settings. Both Windows and macOS provide clear indicators of whether IPv6 is enabled.
How to Disable IPv6 on Windows
If your Windows device is using IPv6 and you want to make sure Surfshark runs without leaks, you can disable it with the following steps:
- Open Network and Sharing Center
- Right-click on the network icon in the taskbar.
- Select “Open Network and Internet settings.”
- Click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
- Access Adapter Settings
- On the left panel, click “Change adapter settings.”
- Select Your Network
- Right-click on the network you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
- Choose “Properties.”
- Turn Off IPv6
- In the list of items, find “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”
- Uncheck the box next to it.
- Click “OK” to save changes.
Once this is done, your Windows device will stop using IPv6 and rely only on IPv4. This ensures that Surfshark can protect all your traffic without any leaks.
How to Disable IPv6 on Mac
Mac users can also turn off IPv6 to prevent leaks when using Surfshark. Here’s how to do it:
- Open System Preferences
- Click on the Apple menu in the top left.
- Select “System Preferences.”
- Go to Network Settings
- Choose “Network.”
- Select your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
- Advanced Options
- Click the “Advanced” button.
- Go to the “TCP/IP” tab.
- Disable IPv6
- Next to “Configure IPv6,” choose “Off” from the dropdown menu.
- Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
After doing this, your Mac will only use IPv4. Surfshark will then handle all your traffic securely.
Why Disabling IPv6 Helps with Surfshark
Since Surfshark does not support IPv6, disabling it avoids potential problems. Here are the main benefits:
- Prevents IP Leaks: With IPv6 off, your real IP cannot slip through outside the VPN tunnel.
- Stronger Privacy: You ensure all traffic flows through Surfshark servers.
- Fewer Connection Issues: Some users experience slow speeds or dropped connections when IPv6 conflicts with Surfshark. Disabling it usually fixes the problem.
Is Surfshark Still Safe Without IPv6?
Yes, Surfshark is still safe to use without IPv6. Most websites and apps today still work on IPv4, and Surfshark handles that perfectly. The company is also likely to add IPv6 support in the future as demand increases.
For now, the best way to stay secure is to disable IPv6 manually on your device. This ensures that all traffic goes through Surfshark and no leaks occur.
Common Issues with Surfshark and IPv6
Some users report speed drops, failed connections, or location mismatches when IPv6 is active. These problems happen because part of the traffic is trying to use IPv6 while Surfshark is only tunneling IPv4.
Here are a few common signs of IPv6 conflicts:
- Websites are not loading while the VPN is on.
- Showing an error or blocking access to streaming platforms.
- Online IP checkers show your real location instead of the VPN server.
- If you experience any of these issues, disabling IPv6 almost always fixes them.
You can check out our guides on other Surfshark protocols like L2TP, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
Final Thoughts
So, does Surfshark work with IPv6? The answer is no. Surfshark only supports IPv4 at the moment. While this may sound limiting, it is not a major issue because the majority of internet traffic still relies on IPv4.
The key takeaway is that you should check whether your network uses IPv6. If it does, you can disable it easily on Windows or Mac. Doing so will stop leaks, improve connection stability, and make sure Surfshark protects you fully.
