Captive portal and VPN on public Wi-Fi
Hotels, airports, cafes, and campuses often require a web login before normal internet works. If the VPN starts before that login, it can look like the VPN broke the connection.
إجابة سريعة
Disconnect VPN, open a plain HTTP site or the network login page, complete the captive portal, confirm direct browsing works, then reconnect GhostMesh and test DNS and IP again.
Recognize the portal
A captive portal intercepts traffic until you accept terms, enter a room code, or complete payment.
DNS and HTTPS can behave strangely before login, so diagnose the portal first.
| Symptom | Likely cause | How to check | How to fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi connected, no sites load | Portal not completed | Open the network login page | Sign in before starting VPN |
| Only HTTPS errors | Portal intercepting traffic | Try a plain HTTP test page | Complete portal and reconnect |
| Internet blocked after disconnect | Kill switch still protecting traffic | Check VPN state | Reconnect or disable kill switch intentionally |
After login
Reconnect the VPN and repeat IP and DNS tests. Public Wi-Fi networks can also have weak signal, client isolation, or time limits.
If the portal expires, the same symptoms can return later even though the VPN settings did not change.
قائمة تحقق
- ✓Complete portal before VPN
- ✓Verify direct browsing
- ✓Reconnect GhostMesh
- ✓Run IP and DNS checks