Xfinity, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, is a popular Internet service provider in the United States. While Xfinity offers many benefits to its customers, some users have reported issues with Xfinity blocking their VPN (Virtual Private Network) traffic.
This can be a real problem for those who rely on VPNs for privacy, security and access to restricted content.
Fortunately, there are several solutions available to fix this problem and get your VPN working with Xfinity again.
In this blog post, we will explore the issue of Xfinity blocking VPN traffic and provide some tested solutions to help you overcome this problem.
Does Xfinity block VPN ?
Xfinity doesn’t block VPNs explicitly, but it may be able to detect VPN traffic and throttle your bandwidth.
This is because VPNs encrypt your traffic, making it difficult for Xfinity to see what you are doing online. However, there are a number of VPNs that are specifically designed to bypass Xfinity’s restrictions.
If you are using a reputable VPN, you should be able to connect to the internet without any issues.
Here are some tips for using a VPN with Xfinity:
- Use reputable VPN provider: Some VPN providers are more likely to be blocked by Xfinity than others. Do some research and choose a provider that has a good reputation for bypassing Xfinity’s restrictions.
- Use a strong encryption protocol: VPNs use encryption to protect your traffic from prying eyes. There are many different encryption protocols available, but some are more secure than others. If you’re concerned about your privacy, choose a VPN that uses strong encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
- Change the VPN port: Xfinity may block VPN traffic on certain ports. To avoid this, you can change the VPN port you are using. Most VPN providers allow you to change the port you are using.
- Use a different DNS server: Xfinity might be blocking VPN traffic by poisoning the DNS cache on your router. To avoid this you can use a different DNS server. You can use many public DNS servers, like Google DNS or OpenDNS.
If you are still having problems connecting to a VPN with Xfinity, you can contact the VPN provider’s customer support for help.
How to fix Xfinity blocking VPN issue ?
Follow below mentioned steps to resolve Xfinity blocking VPN issue :
Use Private VPN
Most of the time, we have seen this issue when using freeware or basic version VPNs. However, premium VPN services easily work with Xfinity routers.
Industry experts recommend using a premium VPN service with Xfinity or Comcast routers.
Update your router framework
Experts recommend updating the router firmware, as some official reports have mentioned that certain models of Xfinity routers had an issue with the PPTP security protocol.
The problem can be resolved by updating the router’s firmware. Follow the steps below to update it:
- Login to the Xfinity router using your IP address in the search bar of your default browser or Google Chrome.
- Click on “Connection” and then click on the “Software.”
- If you did not update it before, kindly update to the latest framework.
Note: We have provided this solution based on expert recommendations. However, we have not found any reviews from Xfinity users regarding firmware updates to resolve the ‘Xfinity router VPN’ issue.
Therefore, please confirm with your Internet service provider before upgrading the firmware or switching to another model of Xfinity router.
Enable Bridge Mode in your Private Router
Xfinity offers an advanced range of routers that consist of a modem and router in one piece.
If a user wants to fix the ‘Comcast VPN setup’ issue, they should use their own private router or another router service.
Users can connect their private internet router by enabling bridge mode on the Xfinity modem.
Follow the steps below to enable bridge mode in your private router:
- Enter your IP address on the search bar and login to your Xfinity account.
- Click on Gateway and then tap on the “Enable button.”
- Click on the “Okay.”
- The task will take 90 seconds to complete. After that, restart your system and connect to a private router connection.
- Now, click on the “SAVE CURRENT CONFIGURATION”
Note: When Bridge mode is enabled, the user cannot use the Xfinity router service. Moreover, if the user has purchased a plan with xFI Advanced Security, they will not be able to access Bridge mode.
Disable xFI Advance security
Disabling xFI Advanced Security can help users resolve the ‘Comcast throttling VPN’ issue.
Follow the below mentioned steps to disable xFI Advance security:-
- Open the Xfinity app on your mobile device, click on ‘xFI Advanced Security’, and then click on the ‘Turn Off’ button.
Change VPN encryption
Sometimes, VPN encryption can create problems and result in issues related to Comcast throttling VPN.
Thus, we recommend that users change the encryption level of their VPN. The user should change the VPN encryption level from PPTP to OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec.
Note: Each encryption level is inversely proportional to internet speed, so try setting it to ‘OpenVPN’ as it is a middle level of encryption.
Change Xfinity router’s Protocol
Router systems work with two protocol suites, both of which cover the same configuration in different ways.
One is the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the other is the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
We recommend that users change their protocol from TCP to UDP to resolve the ‘Comcast router VPN’ issue.
Switch to another IP server
Switching to another IP server is not possible without server administrator rights.
In this case, you should email or talk to your internet service provider regarding the IP server.
This may resolve the Xfinity VPN issue on your system. However, if the server is overcrowded, you may face the issue again.
Before concluding this blog, we would like to inform our readers that we have published a solution for Gmail not receiving emails.
Moreover, users can also fix the ‘Outlook won’t open’ issue by following this hyperlink.
Update router Firmware
Updating your router’s firmware can solve the problem of VPN blocking by Xfinity in a few ways.
First, new firmware versions often include security patches that can help prevent Xfinity from detecting and blocking VPN traffic.
Second, newer firmware versions may include settings that allow you to bypass Xfinity’s restrictions on VPN traffic.
Lastly, updating your router’s firmware can improve your router’s overall performance, making it easier to connect to a VPN.
Follow below mentioned steps to update your router’s firmware:
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and find the latest firmware update for your router.
- Download the firmware update file to your computer.
- Connect your computer with the router using an Ethernet cable.
- Log in router’s web interface.
- Find the firmware update section in the web interface.
- Upload the firmware update file that you downloaded in Step 2.
- Adhere to the on-screen guidelines to successfully finish updating the firmware.
Once you have updated your router’s firmware, you should be able to connect to a VPN without any problems.
If you are still having problems, you can contact Xfinity customer support for help.
Connect to different VPN server
Connecting to a different VPN server can solve the problem of Xfinity blocking the VPN in a few ways.
First, different VPN servers may use different IP addresses and ports, which can make it more difficult for Xfinity to detect and block VPN traffic.
Second, different VPN servers may be located in different countries, giving you more flexibility in terms of bypassing geo-restrictions.
Finally, different VPN servers may offer different features, such as kill switch and split tunneling, which can help improve your security and privacy. Here are some things to keep in mind when connecting to a different VPN server:
- Choose a VPN server that is located in a country that is not known to block VPN traffic.
- Use a VPN server that provides a strong encryption protocol, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
- Use split tunneling to route your VPN traffic through the VPN server only. This can help improve your performance and privacy.
If you are still having problems connecting to a VPN with Xfinity, you can contact the VPN provider’s customer support for help.
Disable firewall on your device
Disabling the firewall on your device may solve the problem of Xfinity blocking the VPN as the firewall may be blocking the VPN traffic.
A firewall is a security feature designed to protect your device from unauthorized access. However, it can sometimes block legitimate traffic, such as VPN traffic.
When you disable the firewall, you are essentially telling your device to allow all traffic, regardless of whether it is coming from a trusted source or not.
This can make your device more vulnerable to attack, but it can also allow you to connect to the VPN without issue.
Here are the steps on how to disable the firewall on your device:
- Open the Windows Control Panel.
- Click on System and Security.
- Click on Windows Defender Firewall.
- Press allow to let an app through the Firewall.
- Click on Change settings.
- Find the VPN client that you are using and check the box next to it.
- Click on OK.
Once you disable the firewall, you should be able to connect to the VPN without any issues.
However, it is important to note that this will make your device more vulnerable to attack.
If you are concerned about security, you may want to consider using a different VPN provider that is not blocked by Xfinity.
Here are some things to keep in mind when disabling the firewall on your device:
- Only disable the firewall if you are sure that you need to do so.
- Re-enable the firewall as soon as you are finished using the VPN.
Also check: How to fix Xfinity WiFi not working ?
Why is Comcast blocking my VPN?
Kindly note that VPN Xfinity issue and Comcast blocking VPN issue can be resolved following the blog.
If you are also facing Comcast blocking VPN issue or VPN Xfinity issue then you are at the right place to get your problem resolved since most of the users are searching for resolutions on Xfinity VPN issues.
The most common reasons for issues to arise is because of VPN dropping, since Comcast routers does not support VPN and are always criticized in the industry for geo-restriction and throttling internet speed.
So, we have gathered some of the practices that would surely help users to fix the “VPN Xfinity issue”, or “Comcast throttling VPN.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Xfinity, a popular internet service provider in the United States, has been reported to block VPN traffic for some users.
This can be a problem for those who rely on VPNs for privacy, security and access to restricted content.
However, there are several solutions available to fix this problem and get your VPN working with Xfinity again.
These solutions include using a reputable VPN provider, updating your router firmware, and using a private VPN.
By following the steps mentioned in this blog post, you can solve the problem of Xfinity blocking VPN traffic and enjoy unrestricted internet access.
Also check: How to fix Xfinity router blinking green ?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Comcast’s Xfinity router supports VPN for accessing its service and the user can put a VPN on Xfinity router by enabling bridge mode on the wireless gateway.
Yes, you can unblock VPN on your Xfinity router.
Reset your router, or check for blocked sites in Xfinity’s router settings.
Yes, users can use PPTP on their router; however, if you want to resolve the Comcast VPN issue, you should change PPTP to Openvpn encryption.