Quick Diagnosis: Before going through each error, try these three things first: (1) Pull-to-refresh or manually update your subscription, (2) Switch to a different server node, (3) Toggle System Proxy off and back on. These simple steps fix over 60% of Clash connection issues.
Clash is a powerful tool, but its complexity means there are many ways things can go wrong. Connection failures, nodes showing red, browsers not routing through the proxy, TUN mode crashing — these are all common frustrations. The good news is that almost every Clash problem has a known, fixable cause.
This guide covers the 10 most frequently reported Clash errors in 2026, with exact diagnostic steps and solutions for each one. We've organized them from most common to least common, so start from the top and work your way down.
1 Subscription Import Failed / Nodes Not Loading
🔍 Symptoms
- • "Download failed" message when importing subscription URL
- • Profile shows 0 nodes after import
- • "Invalid YAML" or "Parse error" messages
Fix A: Check the URL is correct
Log back into your VPN07 dashboard and copy the subscription URL fresh. URLs expire if your account is inactive or if you recently changed your password. Make sure you're copying the Clash/YAML format, not the V2Ray format.
Fix B: Use a Proxy Override for Download
If your network blocks the subscription server, Clash can't download the config. In Clash settings, enable "Use Proxy for Subscription Download" or temporarily switch to Global mode in another VPN/proxy app, then import the subscription.
Fix C: Try a Different Clash Client
Some older Clash clients can't parse modern Clash Meta YAML format (especially if it uses newer syntax like rule-providers or proxy-providers). Upgrade to Clash Verge Rev or Clash Meta for Android to handle all subscription formats.
2 Port 7890 Already in Use — "bind: address already in use"
This error occurs when another application is already listening on Clash's default HTTP proxy port (7890) or SOCKS5 port (7891). Common culprits include previous Clash instances still running in the background, other proxy tools (Shadowsocks, V2Ray GUI clients), or even some development servers.
Fix: Find and Kill the Conflicting Process
# Windows (PowerShell):
netstat -ano | findstr :7890
taskkill /PID [PID number] /F
# macOS / Linux:
lsof -ti :7890 | xargs kill -9Alternative Fix: Change Clash's Ports
In your Clash config YAML, change port: 7890 to an unused port like port: 17890. Remember to update any browser extensions or app proxy settings to use the new port number.
3 All Nodes Show "Timeout" or "Connection Refused"
When multiple or all nodes fail simultaneously, the problem is usually environmental — something on your network or device is blocking outbound connections to the proxy server, rather than the nodes themselves being down.
Check 1: Firewall / Security Software
Windows Defender, antivirus software (Kaspersky, Bitdefender, etc.), or corporate security agents often block proxy connections. Temporarily disable them and test. If that fixes it, add Clash to the security software's allowlist.
Check 2: ISP or Network-Level Block
Some ISPs and networks (schools, hotels, corporate networks) block certain outbound ports or IP ranges. If you're on such a network, try switching to nodes that use port 443 (HTTPS) — these are the least likely to be blocked. VPN07 provides port 443 options on all major nodes.
Check 3: Update Your Subscription
Server IPs change periodically. If your subscription hasn't been updated in weeks, node IP addresses may have changed. Force-refresh your subscription in Clash to get the latest server information from VPN07.
4 Clash Running but Browser Still Not Proxied
This is one of the most common frustrations: Clash shows a connected node and traffic in the logs, but your browser loads websites as if there's no proxy. The cause is almost always that System Proxy isn't actually enabled, or something overrode it.
Fix A: Verify System Proxy is Enabled
In Clash settings, confirm "System Proxy" is toggled ON. Then verify it took effect:
- • Windows: Settings → Network → Proxy → verify manual proxy shows 127.0.0.1:7890
- • macOS: System Settings → Network → [Interface] → Proxies → HTTP Proxy: 127.0.0.1:7890
Fix B: Check for VPN Software Conflicts
Corporate VPN clients (Cisco AnyConnect, GlobalProtect, Zscaler) often override system proxy settings and redirect all traffic through their own tunnels. When a corporate VPN is active, Clash's system proxy may be ignored. Solution: use TUN mode instead — it operates at a lower network level than corporate VPN proxies.
Fix C: Configure Browser Manually
Some browsers (particularly Firefox) don't use the system proxy by default. Go to Firefox → Settings → Network Settings → select "Manual proxy configuration" → enter HTTP Proxy: 127.0.0.1, Port: 7890, and check "Use this proxy server for all protocols."
5 TUN Mode Not Working / Kernel Error
TUN mode is the most powerful Clash feature — it captures all traffic at the OS level, including apps that don't respect system proxy settings. But it also has the strictest requirements.
Windows Fix: Run as Administrator
TUN mode requires administrator privileges to create virtual network interfaces. Right-click Clash Verge Rev → "Run as administrator." You can also set this permanently: right-click the exe → Properties → Compatibility → "Run this program as an administrator."
macOS Fix: Allow Network Extension
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll down to find the Clash-related extension blocked by macOS → click "Allow." You may also need to install the "Clash Meta Service" helper that some clients prompt for on first TUN mode use.
Linux Fix: Check tun Module
On Linux, ensure the TUN kernel module is loaded: sudo modprobe tun. Also verify Clash has the necessary capabilities: sudo setcap cap_net_admin+ep /path/to/clash.
Android Fix: Grant VPN Permission
Android requires explicit VPN permission for TUN-mode apps. If you denied the permission previously: Settings → Apps → ClashMeta → Permissions → toggle VPN on. On some devices you may need to revoke and re-grant this permission after a Clash update.
6 DNS Leak — Real IP Exposed Despite Using Proxy
DNS leaks are a privacy vulnerability where your DNS queries — which reveal every website you visit — go to your ISP's DNS server instead of through the proxy. Even with Clash running, your browsing habits can be visible to your ISP.
How to Test for DNS Leaks
Visit dnsleaktest.com or ipleak.net while Clash is running. If the DNS servers shown belong to your ISP (e.g., local telecom) rather than a privacy-respecting provider (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google 8.8.8.8), you have a DNS leak.
Fix: Enable Clash DNS with DoH
In your Clash config, set enhanced-mode: fake-ip and configure encrypted DNS nameservers. VPN07's default Clash subscription includes this configuration to prevent DNS leaks by default.
Errors 7–10: Quick Reference Fixes
Protocol Mismatch — "connection reset by peer"
Your Clash client config specifies VMESS but the server only supports VLESS, or vice versa. Fix: Update your subscription to get the latest server protocol information. If manually configured, verify protocol type in your VPN07 dashboard.
Rules Not Working — Traffic Not Routing Correctly
DNS is resolving to cached IPs, bypassing rule matching. Fix: Clear your browser DNS cache (chrome://net-internals/#dns in Chrome), flush system DNS (ipconfig /flushdns on Windows), and switch Clash to fake-ip mode if not already enabled.
Clash Dashboard (UI) Won't Load at localhost:9090
The Clash dashboard is a web UI that runs on port 9090. If it won't load: check if 9090 is occupied by another process, verify external-controller: 127.0.0.1:9090 is in your config, and ensure the secret token matches (default: empty string for no auth).
Clash Crashes on Startup / Exits Immediately
Usually a YAML syntax error in your config file. Fix: Delete or rename your current config (config.yaml), restart Clash, and re-import your subscription from scratch. Alternatively, use an online YAML validator to identify the syntax error in your custom config.
Diagnostic Toolkit: Useful Clash Debug Commands
# Test if Clash proxy is working from command line:
# Test HTTP proxy
curl -x http://127.0.0.1:7890 https://www.google.com -I
# Test SOCKS5 proxy
curl --socks5 127.0.0.1:7891 https://www.google.com -I
# Test connectivity to a specific node
curl -x http://127.0.0.1:7890 https://ipinfo.io/json# Check Clash API for node status
# List all proxies and their status
curl http://127.0.0.1:9090/proxies
# Test latency to a specific node
curl -X GET http://127.0.0.1:9090/proxies/NodeName/delay \
-G -d "timeout=5000&url=http://www.gstatic.com/generate_204"📊 Reading Clash Logs
Enable verbose logging in Clash settings (log-level: debug) to see exactly what's happening with each connection. The log file shows:
- •
[TCP] google.com:443 → Proxy— connection being proxied through the selected node - •
[TCP] baidu.com:80 → DIRECT— connection going direct (rule matched) - •
[TCP] ads.example.com → REJECT— connection blocked by ad rule - • Error messages with timestamps help pinpoint exactly when and why connections fail
Prevention: Build a More Reliable Clash Setup
✅ Enable Auto-Update Subscriptions
Set your VPN07 subscription to auto-update every 12-24 hours. This keeps node information current and automatically refreshes if server IPs change. Most connection failures are caused by stale subscription data.
✅ Use a Fallback Proxy Group
Configure your main proxy group as a fallback type with multiple VPN07 nodes listed. If the primary node fails, Clash automatically switches to the next one — no manual intervention needed. VPN07's Clash config includes this by default.
✅ Keep Clash Meta Updated
The Clash Meta (Mihomo) core receives frequent updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and add protocol support. Check for updates to Clash Verge Rev, ClashMeta Android, or ClashX Pro every 1-2 weeks. Many error messages disappear simply by updating to the latest version.
✅ Choose a VPN Provider with Multiple Protocol Support
When one protocol gets blocked, having alternatives is essential. VPN07 supports VMESS, VLESS, VLESS+Reality, Trojan, and Shadowsocks-2022 on the same nodes — if your current protocol encounters issues, switching to another takes seconds, no new subscription needed.
Platform-Specific Troubleshooting Checklist
Windows Checklist
- ☑ Run Clash Verge Rev as Administrator (for TUN mode)
- ☑ Add Clash to Windows Defender firewall exceptions
- ☑ Disable any third-party antivirus real-time protection temporarily to test
- ☑ Check Task Manager for other proxy processes (ss-local, v2ray, xray)
- ☑ Verify Internet Explorer LAN settings are not overriding proxy (Control Panel → Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings)
macOS Checklist
- ☑ Allow network extension in Security & Privacy settings
- ☑ Check Little Snitch or similar firewall apps for Clash blocking rules
- ☑ Verify proxy settings apply to active network interface (Wi-Fi vs Ethernet separately)
- ☑ After macOS update, re-approve Clash network extension permissions
- ☑ Check System Proxy is toggled on — macOS requires this per network interface
Android Checklist
- ☑ Grant VPN permission (Settings → Apps → ClashMeta → VPN)
- ☑ Disable battery optimization for ClashMeta (Android may kill it in background)
- ☑ Turn off any built-in VPN the phone manufacturer added
- ☑ Check if your APK version matches your Android version (arm64 vs armv7)
iOS Checklist
- ☑ Allow VPN configuration in iOS Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
- ☑ Check iPhone's Personal Hotspot is off (it can interfere with proxy routing)
- ☑ Update Stash or Shadowrocket to the latest App Store version
- ☑ Verify subscription URL in app settings — iOS apps sometimes cache old URLs
Stop Troubleshooting — Use VPN07
Pre-configured Clash subscription that just works, since 2015
Most Clash connection problems come from poorly configured subscriptions or unreliable VPN providers. VPN07's Clash subscription includes pre-configured proxy groups, optimized rule sets, auto-update subscriptions, and 24/7 support. With 70+ countries and 1000Mbps bandwidth, you get a reliable connection that rarely needs troubleshooting.
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