VPN Blocking Connection

[dpeel9]

I have discovered that if I connect my Android Phone to my Nord VPN that I can’t connect to my Wyze Camera’s. Anyone know why this seems to be happening?

[Omgitstony]

Here are some previous posts I found that provide some light on this:

No Connection to Wyzecam when using VPN and the Wyzeapp

I have been able to install and access a Wyzecam v2 using the wyzeapp on a android phone. I can access camera in and out of my home network using either wifi or cellular phone service only when I have my VPN turned off on the phone. When I engage the VPN, I cannot achieve connection to the camera or receive notifications. Since I always have the VPN engaged on my phone, I cannot access the cameras or receive notifications. VPN’s are an absolute necessity when using external wifi or cellular…

Can't connect to camera when using VPN

Thanks all for the input. Don’t remember if I said in my original post, but the issue is with VPN’s on my phone (Moto G5+). I’ve tried several free VPN’s (Windscribe, Thunder, Tunnel Bear, Surfeasy, etc.) and several locations within the US in each with no luck. Could be the free VPN’s issue.

[Customer]

I wonder if this sort of issue can be resolved by disabling split tunneling in the VPN client.

What is Split Tunneling and how to use it? | NordVPN support

(This would only apply when there are issues connecting when you are on the same WiFi as the cameras, rather than when roaming.)

[ThreeTen]

Hello, @dpeel9…

I don’t use NordVPN, but I’ve used a paid subscription to PIA for the past 8-years (Private Internet Access).

I posted a reason that causes PIA to do the exact same thing, so it’s plausible that it could cause NordVPN not to allow connections to your cameras via the Android app.

I’m not sure if it will help, but I figured I’d mention it so you can read my post to see if NordVPN has a similar setting for BLOCK LOCAL NETWORK. If so… that could cause issues to connect to your cameras.

Using Wyze app with PIA

Hello, @okiepat2000… There is one thing that I can think of that will prevent your cameras from connecting to your phone’s Wyze app when using PIA. Go into the SETTINGS of PIA and make sure that BLOCK LOCAL NETWORK is OFF in order to ALLOW it access to your local network (I don’t see it mentioned here). That has to be allowed in order to connect to the cameras and to your Mobile Data, at least for me on 5 different Android devices (view screenshot below). If I enable it to BLOCK Local Netwo…

Keep in mind that paid versions of VPNs have more benefits than free (you didn’t specify if you’re using a paid or free version of NordVPN)

Good luck.

[Customer]

That’s identical to the more standard term “split tunnel” that I referenced above, and as used by NordVPN. Glad I was on the right track.

[dpeel9]

Thank you for that information. I went into settings on my Nord VPN android app and turned on split tunneling for my Wyze app and that seems to have fixed my problem and now I’m able to access all my cams with my Nord VPN turned on.

Thanks for your help.

[richkut]

Split tunneling solved my problem when using IPVanish VPN! THX for the suggestion!!

HOWEVER, does split tunneling lower or even remove any of the security protection that a VPN is supposed to offer??!!

This is a definite need-to-know!!

Thank you in advance.

[Customer]

Yes, it presents a possibility that you will use the direct Internet access in error, exposing your real IP address. But that’s why you would control what is and is not supposed to use the VPN.

I don’t use any of these services but here is one description of selecting particular applications that are allowed to skip the tunnel.

What is Split Tunneling and how to use it? | NordVPN support

[richkut]

I have been using IPVanish now for a couple of years and mostly am satisfied with it. When I first installed the Wyze app, IPVanish indeed did block me from connecting to my Wyze cams, and I constantly had to disconnect/connect the VPN in order to view them. After awhile I set up split tunneling, but from what I understand this REMOVED VPN protection on my Wyze app while the REST of my apps remained protected. FAST FORWARD TO A FEW MONTHS AGO: IPVanish started using a new protocol, Wireguard, and if I use this protocol not only can I connect to my Wyze system (both on my Wi-Fi and mobile) via my Android phone (Samsung S21 , Android 12, One UI 4.0), but with IPVanish and this protocol on my Win 10 PC I also am able to use the Android emulator, Bluestacks, without incident to connect to my Wyze system. So if IPVanish has a trial period, why not see if you can try it for free and test out if it works for you as well as it works for me??!!