NordVPN Split Tunneling breaks when the app, website, or device is outside the feature NordVPN actually supports. Start by checking platform support, then rebuild the rule and clear the settings that override it.
Check that your device supports Split Tunneling
The most common cause is simple: NordVPN Split Tunneling is not available on every platform.
Use Split Tunneling in the NordVPN apps for Windows, Android, Android TV, and NordVPN browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
On Linux, use NordVPN Allowlist instead. It excludes ports, port ranges, or subnets from VPN protection rather than individual apps.
NordVPN does not support Split Tunneling on iOS or macOS. Use Windows, Android, Android TV, Linux Allowlist, or the browser extension’s website exclusion feature instead.
Set up Split Tunneling again on Windows
This fixes Windows cases where the wrong app was selected, the rule was not saved, or the app was not visible in NordVPN’s picker.
Open the NordVPN app on Windows 10 64-bit version 1607 or later, or on Windows 11. Click the gear icon in the lower-left corner to open Settings. Open Split Tunneling, then turn Split Tunneling on.
Select Add apps, choose the app you want, then click Add selected. If the app is missing, open that app first and return to Add apps. Use Browse apps to locate the app manually when it still does not appear.
Fix Split Tunneling on Android and Android TV
On Android, open NordVPN, tap the profile icon, then go to Settings, VPN connection settings, and Split tunneling. Turn the Split tunneling toggle on, then select the apps you do not want affected by the VPN connection.
NordVPN supports Android 9 and newer, with sideloaded app support for Android 7 and 8. Update the Android app before rebuilding the rule on older phones.
On Android TV, open NordVPN, choose the cog icon on the lower-left side, scroll to Split tunneling, and select the apps that do not need VPN protection. Selected apps move to Excluded from VPN, and selecting one again moves it back to Tunneled through VPN.
Exclude websites in the browser extension
Use the NordVPN extension when one website needs to bypass the VPN.
- 1.Click the NordVPN extension in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- 2.Open Exclude from VPN.
- 3.Enter the domain or IP address you want to exclude.
- 4.Select Add all subdomains when the whole site family should bypass the VPN.
- 5.Click Exclude, then reload the page.
Avoid running the app and extension through the VPN twice
This applies when the NordVPN desktop app and the NordVPN browser extension are connected at the same time. NordVPN does not recommend it, because running both creates a double connection that can slow your traffic down.
Use the app for device-wide VPN protection, or use the browser extension for browser-only control.
On Windows, exclude the browser before using both. Open NordVPN, go to Split Tunneling, exclude Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, then reconnect the NordVPN app and the NordVPN extension.
Turn off Kill Switch when excluded apps lose internet
The most common cause of excluded apps losing all internet access is NordVPN Kill Switch taking priority over Split Tunneling.
When an excluded app cannot connect while Split Tunneling is on, turn off Kill Switch and test again. NordVPN’s Internet Kill Switch has the highest priority and blocks apps excluded from the VPN. To keep Kill Switch on, turn off Split Tunneling instead and retest the connection.
On Linux, open Terminal, run nordvpn set killswitch off, then check the current settings with nordvpn settings.
Reset NordVPN settings when the rules still do nothing
Reset NordVPN after the rule is correct but Split Tunneling still behaves as if it does not exist.
- 1.On Windows, open NordVPN, click the question mark button in the lower-left corner, choose Run diagnostics, then select Reset network.
- 2.Wait for the commands to finish, then restart the computer.
- 3.Return to Run diagnostics, choose Reset app, wait for it to finish, then log back in.
- 4.On Android, long-press NordVPN, open App info, go to Storage & Cache, tap Clear storage, then choose Delete.
- 5.On Android TV, open Settings, Apps, and NordVPN, then use Clear data and Clear cache.
Update or reinstall NordVPN
Open NordVPN’s official VPN app downloads page and install the current app for your platform.
On Linux, open Terminal and run sudo apt-get update. Next, run sudo apt-get upgrade, then run sudo apt-get install nordvpn.
On Windows, open Settings, then go to Apps, then Installed apps on Windows 11, or Apps & features on Windows 10. Select NordVPN; on Windows 11, open the More menu, shown as three dots, next to it.
Choose Uninstall, then restart the device. Install NordVPN again from the official VPN app downloads page.
On Android, open Settings, then Apps, and choose NordVPN. Tap the trash bin, then restart the phone.
Install NordVPN again. If the Google Play version fails, install the version from NordVPN’s website; if the website version fails, install the Google Play version.
Do not rely on NordVPN versions older than 3.12.0, including 3.12.0 itself.
Use only the official NordVPN download page for manual installs.
Clear connection conflicts outside Split Tunneling
This method applies when the Split Tunneling rule looks correct, but one app or website still refuses to load while NordVPN is connected. The cause is the server, DNS, protocol, another VPN, or security software instead of the Split Tunneling rule.
Switch server locations in the NordVPN app by clicking the country you want to connect to, then retest the app or site.
Turn off Custom DNS in the NordVPN app and disable Custom DNS on the router, then test again.
Temporarily turn off NordVPN’s scam, phishing, and malware protection. In the Windows or macOS app downloaded from NordVPN’s website, use the shield icon, open Advanced settings, and turn features off one by one.
On iOS or Android, use the shield icon and tap Turn off protection. In browser extensions, use the shield icon and choose Turn off.
Try NordVPN’s protocol setting. On Windows, click the profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, then Connection and security, and use the drop-down next to VPN protocol to choose Auto (Recommended).
Disable or quit any other VPN service, then reconnect NordVPN. Add NordVPN to the antivirus exclusions list, or temporarily disable the antivirus to test the connection. After each change, reconnect NordVPN and test the same app or website before changing another setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NordVPN Split Tunneling work on iPhone or Mac?
No. NordVPN does not currently support Split Tunneling on iOS or macOS. Use Windows, Android, Android TV, Linux Allowlist, or the browser extension exclusion feature instead.
Why is my app missing from NordVPN Split Tunneling on Windows?
NordVPN’s Windows app picker shows currently opened applications. Open the app first, then return to Split Tunneling, or use Browse apps to select the executable manually.
Why does an excluded app have no internet with NordVPN on?
Kill Switch is taking priority. Turn off Kill Switch, or disable Split Tunneling and test the app again.
Is Linux Split Tunneling the same as Windows app Split Tunneling?
No. NordVPN’s Linux Allowlist excludes ports, port ranges, or subnets from VPN protection. It is not app-based split tunneling.
