If you manually edited your /etc/resolv.conf file while you were connected to ExpressVPN, you may be unable to browse the web after you disconnect from ExpressVPN. This may occur even if you are able to browse while connected to ExpressVPN.
To troubleshoot:
- In your Terminal, enter
expressvpnctl disconnect
- Check how DNS is managed using the following command:
readlink -f /etc/resolv.conf
The next steps depend on how DNS is managed.
Systemd-resolved
If “readlink -f /etc/resolv.conf” points to systemd-resolved (like “/run/systemd/resolve/stub-resolv.conf”), use these commands:
- Enter
sudo ln -sf /run/systemd/resolve/stub-resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf - Enter
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved - Enter
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager 2>/dev/null || true - Enter
resolvectl status
Network Manager
If “readlink -f /etc/resolv.conf” returns “/etc/resolv.conf,” (no symlink) then your system is managed by NetworkManager. Run these commands:
- Enter
sudo rm -f /etc/resolv.conf - Enter
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager - Enter
nmcli device show | grep DNS
Resolvconf (legacy)
If the “/etc/resolv.conf” points to resolvconf (like “/run/resolvconf/resolv.conf” or “/var/run/resolvconf/resolv.conf”):
- Enter
sudo ln -sf /run/resolvconf/resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf - Enter
sudo resolvconf -u
If you still cannot browse:
Reboot your computer usingsudo reboot
If you need further assistance, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team.