If ExpressVPN is connected or trying to connect and you are having problems accessing your printer or shared folders in your local area network (LAN), it might be because Network Lock is enabled.
Network Lock is a feature in ExpressVPN for Windows, Mac, and Linux built to protect your internet privacy. It is ExpressVPN’s internet kill switch. For more information, see the guide on Network Lock.
Note: Network Lock is only available on:
Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10
Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite), Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), and Mac OS X 10.12 (Sierra)
ExpressVPN app for Linux 1.4 and newer
To regain access to your LAN, see the steps below.
It is possible to use Network Lock and maintain access to your local network devices. From the ExpressVPN app:
Click on ≡ > Options (Windows) or ≡ > Preferences (Mac)
In the General tab, look for the Network Lock section
Check the box next to Enable Network Lock (Internet kill switch) and Allow access to local network devices such as network shares or printers
Click OK
On Linux:
First, make sure you are disconnected from the VPN. Type:
expressvpn disconnect
Then type:
expressvpn preferences set network_lock default
Reconnect to ExpressVPN by typing:
expressvpn connect (location)
You can also find out more in this troubleshooting guide.
Mac solution 2: Add printer IP address
If you still cannot access your printer, you can try to obtain the IP address of the printer and add it the list of connected devices. From the main Mac menu:
Click Apple Logo > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
Click + below the list of printers/scanners
On the “Add” screen, click on the IP tab
Type the IP address of the printer in the Address field. Type the printer name in the Name field.
Click Add. The printer should be added to the list of printers showing as connected/online. This is indicated by a green dot below the printer name
For ExpressVPN app for routers
Users of the ExpressVPN app for routers should have no problem accessing their network printers and other devices.
Please check that your computer and the devices you want to access are all connected to the same network, via the router.
Har ikke adgang til intranet, printer eller delte mapper på lokalt netværk (LAN)
If ExpressVPN is connected or trying to connect and you are having problems accessing your printer or shared folders in your local area network (LAN), it might be because Network Lock is enabled.
Network Lock is a feature in ExpressVPN for Windows, Mac, and Linux built to protect your internet privacy. It is ExpressVPN’s internet kill switch. For more information, see the guide on Network Lock.
Note: Network Lock is only available on:
To regain access to your LAN, see the steps below.
Contents
Windows/Mac/Linux solution 1: Check Network Lock settings
It is possible to use Network Lock and maintain access to your local network devices. From the ExpressVPN app:
On Linux:
First, make sure you are disconnected from the VPN. Type:
expressvpn disconnect
Then type:
expressvpn preferences set network_lock default
Reconnect to ExpressVPN by typing:
expressvpn connect (location)
You can also find out more in this troubleshooting guide.
Mac solution 2: Add printer IP address
If you still cannot access your printer, you can try to obtain the IP address of the printer and add it the list of connected devices. From the main Mac menu:
For ExpressVPN app for routers
Users of the ExpressVPN app for routers should have no problem accessing their network printers and other devices.
Please check that your computer and the devices you want to access are all connected to the same network, via the router.