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NordVPN on Windows hides your real public IP by routing traffic through NordVPN servers. This article gives you a clear, step-by-step way to verify your IP, understand leaks that can expose your identity, and keep your online privacy rock solid while you’re connected. We’ll cover quick checks, common leak scenarios, how to fix them, and a few pro tips to make sure your IP stays masked when you need it most. If you’re curious about trying NordVPN, here’s a quick way to support us while giving yourself extra protection: 
Introduction: what you’ll learn
- The exact steps to verify your public IP when NordVPN is connected on Windows
- How IP masking actually works and what NordVPN changes on your device
- How to test for DNS leaks, IPv6 leaks, and WebRTC leaks, plus how to fix them
- Practical Windows tips to minimise leak risk and maximize privacy
- A handful of reliable tools and commands you can use right away
- Real-world scenarios where you’ll want to double-check your IP and privacy
Body
How your public IP works and what NordVPN changes on Windows
Your public IP is the address your network presents to the internet. When you connect directly, your ISP assigns an IP and all requests go out with that address. A VPN like NordVPN acts as a middleman: your traffic is encrypted, sent to a NordVPN server, and then exits to the wider internet using the VPN server’s IP. For you, that means your visible IP to websites changes to the server’s location, not your home address.
Key features that matter for IP masking:
- IP masking: Your real home IP is hidden behind the NordVPN server’s IP.
- DNS handling: NordVPN provides its own DNS servers to reduce the chance of DNS leaks revealing your real address.
- Kill Switch: If the VPN connection drops, traffic is blocked to prevent leaks.
- IPv6 handling: Some VPNs historically leaked IPv6 traffic; modern clients aim to disable or isolate IPv6 to prevent this.
- Obfuscated servers: In restricted networks, obfuscated servers help you maintain privacy and avoid traffic shaping.
Understanding these pieces helps you know what you’re testing when you run an IP check and why certain settings matter more in some situations than others.
How to check your public IP on Windows when NordVPN is connected
The goal is simple: confirm the IP that a remote server sees when you’re connected to NordVPN is the VPN’s IP, not your home address.
Step-by-step quick-check
- Connect NordVPN on Windows
- Open the NordVPN app and pick a server location you want to appear from (for example, Australia, United States, or Germany). Make sure the connection shows as “Connected.”
- Verify the IP with a trusted site
- Open a browser and visit: whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io. Note the IP shown; it should reflect the NordVPN server’s location.
- Confirm with an additional test
- Open a privacy-focused site like ipchicken.com or dnsleaktest.com to cross-check that the IP is the VPN server’s and not your real address.
- Optional: test from the terminal
- On Windows, you can quickly check from PowerShell: curl ifconfig.me or curl icanhazip.com. If curl isn’t available, try in your browser as above.
- If you’re curious about DNS, use nslookup to see what DNS server you’re contacting, or visit dnsleaktest.com for a comprehensive check.
What to expect
- The IP shown by whatismyipaddress.com should not be your home address. It should reflect the country and city of the NordVPN server you chose.
- If you pick a server in AU and still see your home IP, something isn’t masking properly. Run the next checks and adjust settings.
Common issues and fixes
- The IP stays the same after connecting: re-connect to a different server or enable “Kill Switch” and try again. Sometimes a server hiccup or a backup routing path can cause odd behavior.
- IPv6 leaks appear: even with a VPN, if the site tests for IPv6 and you see your real address, you may have an IPv6 leak. Disable IPv6 on Windows or ensure NordVPN’s IPv6 protections are enabled for your plan.
NordVPN tips to optimise IP masking
- Always use Kill Switch when privacy matters.
- Use the latest NordVPN app version for Windows to ensure DNS leak protection is up to date.
- When you’re on public Wi‑Fi or in a country with strict network controls, consider using Obfuscated servers to reduce traffic shaping or blocking risks.
- If you’re testing frequently, set a server location you trust (e.g., Australia or the country you want your traffic to appear from) and re-check after switching.
Avoiding DNS and IPv6 leaks: practical steps
DNS leaks happen when DNS requests bypass the VPN tunnel and go directly to your ISP’s DNS servers, potentially revealing your real location. IPv6 leaks occur when traffic uses IPv6 instead of the VPN’s IPv4 path, exposing your IP.
Practical steps to prevent leaks
- Enable DNS leak protection in NordVPN: make sure the feature is turned on in the app’s settings.
- Disable IPv6 on Windows if you’re not using IPv6 over the VPN: this helps prevent IPv6 traffic from bypassing the VPN tunnel. To disable:
- Open Network & Internet settings → Change adapter options → right-click your active VPN adapter → Properties → uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
- Flush DNS cache after connecting: open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns. Then re-check your IP to ensure the DNS flow is through NordVPN.
- Use a VPN with trusted DNS servers: NordVPN uses its own DNS servers; you can verify you’re resolving to those DNS servers by re-running a DNS leak test.
- Enable the VPN’s Kill Switch in all scenarios: this prevents any traffic if the VPN drops.
How to test DNS leaks
- After connecting to NordVPN, visit dnsleaktest.com oripleak.net and run the standard test. If the results show NordVPN’s DNS servers or generic well-known DNS assets (and not your ISP’s), you’re in good shape.
- If you see your home DNS, re-check the settings and consider rebooting the VPN connection or changing servers.
IPv6 considerations
- If your system or apps use IPv6, you might still be leaking if the VPN isn’t handling IPv6 traffic. Some users prefer to disable IPv6 entirely on Windows or use NordVPN’s settings to route or block IPv6 traffic where supported.
- WebRTC leaks are browser-based. A quick check is to visit a site like webrtc-test.com or browserleaks.com to see if your real IP shows up in WebRTC tests. If so, disable WebRTC in your browser or use a privacy-focused browser extension to block it.
How to test for leaks with third-party tools
To be confident your IP is truly masked, run several independent tests:
- IP check sites
- whatismyipaddress.com
- ipinfo.io
- ipleak.net
- DNS leak tests
- dnsleaktest.com
- dnssleuth.com
- WebRTC and browser tests
- browserleaks.com/webrtc
- perfectprivacy.com/wiki/doku.php?id=en:testmyip
- Fast checks from the command line
- PowerShell: curl ifconfig.me
- PowerShell alternative: (Invoke-WebRequest -Uri “https://ifconfig.me”).Content.Trim()
Interpreting results
- If the IP shown aligns with your NordVPN server location across tests, you’re good.
- If any test returns your real IP, you’ve got a leak. Re-check DNS settings, disable IPv6 if necessary, re-connect to NordVPN, and verify Kill Switch is active.
Advanced checks and Windows-specific tips
Advanced check: multi-app privacy
- Some apps may bypass the VPN for certain traffic. To test, try streaming or gaming with a VPN connection and monitor if the IP test sites still show NordVPN’s IP across multiple apps. If you see discrepancies, re-check how each app uses network routing and ensure the VPN is the sole gateway for traffic during the test.
Windows-specific best practices
- Keep Windows and NordVPN up to date. Software updates often close security gaps that could enable leaks.
- Leave Kill Switch on permanently when you need privacy. It’s your safety net if the VPN connection drops.
- Choose servers with robust privacy policies and good uptime. If a server performs poorly, test a different server rather than sticking with a bad one.
- When you’re on restrictive networks (airports, campuses), select Obfuscated servers if available to avoid VPN blocks.
- Periodically run a full set of IP, DNS, and WebRTC checks to ensure your privacy posture remains strong.
Real-world scenarios where you’ll want to verify your IP
- When using public Wi‑Fi: you’re more exposed to tracking and potential sniffing; confirming your IP shows NordVPN’s server address helps you stay private.
- When streaming or accessing content that’s geo-locked: confirming IP ensures you’re appearing from the desired country.
- When conducting sensitive work or research: regular checks help you validate that privacy is maintained.
- When traveling: switching servers frequently is common; re-checking IP after a server switch keeps you informed about your current exposure.
Data and statistics (why this matters)
- The global VPN market continues to grow as privacy concerns rise and digital life becomes more mobile. While numbers vary by source, analysts consistently flag increasing demand for private, encrypted connections, especially in regions with stringent data surveillance or strict online controls.
- In Australia, VPN usage has become increasingly common among both casual and more privacy-conscious users, driven by concerns about public Wi‑Fi, streaming, and online tracking. Keeping your IP masked while you browse is part of a broader shift toward private, secure internet practices.
- Third-party audits and no-logs commitments provide confidence for users seeking privacy. NordVPN emphasises a no-logs policy and ongoing security audits to verify its privacy claims.
Putting it all together: your daily checklist
- Connect to NordVPN and pick a server location you want your traffic to appear from.
- Verify your IP via at least two independent checks (e.g., whatismyipaddress.com and ipinfo.io).
- Run a DNS leak test and a WebRTC test to ensure your real IP is not exposed.
- Enable Kill Switch and DNS leak protection, and disable IPv6 if you’re not using IPv6 over the VPN.
- If you notice any leak, switch servers, re-check, and consider additional privacy measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NordVPN hide my public IP on Windows?
Yes. When you connect to NordVPN on Windows, your internet traffic is routed through a NordVPN server, masking your real IP with the server’s IP. Ensure the connection is active and the Kill Switch is enabled for best protection.
How do I check my IP after connecting to NordVPN?
Connect to a NordVPN server, then visit whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io. The site should show the VPN server’s IP. For extra certainty, also test with dnsleaktest.com or ipleak.net.
What if my real IP still shows after connecting to NordVPN?
You might have an IPv6 leak or DNS leak. Disable IPv6 in Windows if you’re not using IPv6 through the VPN, flush DNS, and verify that NordVPN’s DNS servers are being used. Reconnect and test again.
How can I prevent DNS leaks on Windows with NordVPN?
Enable the VPN’s DNS leak protection, use NordVPN’s DNS servers, and flush DNS after connecting. Run a DNS leak test to confirm. If leaks persist, consider disabling IPv6 and using Kill Switch.
What is a Kill Switch and why do I need it?
A Kill Switch stops all traffic if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data from escaping your encrypted tunnel. It’s a crucial privacy feature, especially on unstable networks.
How do I disable IPv6 to prevent leaks?
On Windows, navigate to Network & Internet settings → Change adapter options → right-click the active VPN adapter → Properties → uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). Then re-connect to NordVPN and test again.
Can WebRTC leaks expose my real IP?
Yes, WebRTC in some browsers can reveal your real IP even when a VPN is active. Check with a dedicated WebRTC test site and disable WebRTC in the browser if you’re concerned about leaks.
How do I choose the best NordVPN server for privacy?
Choose a server location you trust or a country with strong privacy practices. If you’re on a restricted network, use Obfuscated servers. If you want lower latency for streaming or gaming, test a few servers to find one that balances privacy and performance.
Is NordVPN’s no-logs claim trustworthy?
NordVPN emphasizes a no-logs policy and has undergone independent security audits to verify its privacy claims. While no system can be 100% perfect, these audits help provide confidence that user activity isn’t being logged.
Will NordVPN still work on Windows if the VPN drops briefly?
If a drop occurs, the Kill Switch should block traffic until the VPN comes back. If you don’t have Kill Switch enabled, you might be exposed briefly—enable it for ongoing privacy.
Can I test my IP while using NordVPN on mobile devices as well?
Yes. The same IP-masking concepts apply on iOS and Android. Use whatismyipaddress.com or ipleak.net on the device after connecting to a NordVPN server to verify the IP is the VPN server’s.
How often should I test for IP leaks?
If privacy is a priority, test after major changes (new server, updates to the app, or after a network change). Regular checks—every few weeks or monthly—can help you stay confident your privacy is intact.