Short answer: A website will always show some public IP address. The real question is whether it shows the VPN exit IP you expect or your original ISP, office, home router, or mobile carrier IP after the VPN says it is connected.
This confusion causes many false alarms. A VPN endpoint being visible is normal. Your real network still showing after connection is a setup problem that can come from split tunneling, proxy settings, failed tunnel state, IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC.
Problem
- This page is for one current browser/session and route, not every app or future connection.
- The useful question is whether the visible signal matches the route you expected.
- One clean result is helpful, but it is not proof of anonymity, device safety, or a complete VPN audit.
Run the test
Start with VPN Leak Test. Keep the same browser and network when comparing before and after.
- Open What Is My IP with the VPN disconnected and note network owner, ASN, country, and IP version.
- Connect the VPN to a known server location.
- Run VPN Leak Test and compare visible IP, DNS, WebRTC, IPv6, and browser/session signals.
- If the browser still shows your ISP or carrier, check split tunneling, proxy extensions, VPN kill switch, and reconnect state.
- Use Safe Copy after the retest so you can compare before and after without sharing raw IP details.
How to interpret results
| Result | Usually means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| IP changes to VPN provider | The basic browser route likely changed. | Check DNS/WebRTC/IPv6 before calling it fully clean. |
| IP stays on real ISP/carrier | The browser may not be using the VPN tunnel. | Review split tunneling, proxy settings, captive portal, and VPN reconnect state. |
| VPN city looks wrong | IP geolocation can be approximate or stale. | Compare network owner and ASN, not city alone. |
| DNS differs from VPN | Resolver path may be separate from page IP. | Run DNS Leak Test and review Secure DNS or VPN DNS settings. |
| WebRTC or IPv6 exposes another route | The page IP and browser/network candidates can differ. | Run focused WebRTC and IPv6 checks. |
Most common fixes
- Turn off split tunneling for the browser you are testing.
- Disable browser proxy extensions for the test.
- Reconnect the VPN and wait for the route to settle before retesting.
- Enable DNS leak protection and kill switch if your provider offers them.
- Retest in another browser if only one profile behaves strangely.
What to do after the result
If the result matches your expectation, keep the setup stable and save the receipt before changing anything else. If the result needs review, do not change several settings at once. Record the browser, device, network type, VPN server, DNS mode, and whether the test was run before or after connecting. Then change one layer, rerun the same test, and compare the new receipt with the previous one.
When two signals disagree, prioritize route ownership over labels. City and country labels can be approximate, but ISP, ASN, resolver owner, WebRTC candidate category, IPv6 reachability, and VPN state usually explain the next practical step. This keeps the page useful for real troubleshooting instead of turning the test into a one-off yes or no result.
Frequently asked questions
Should my IP disappear when VPN is connected?
No. Websites still need a public endpoint. The question is whether that endpoint is the VPN server or your original network.
Can split tunneling cause this?
Yes. If the browser is excluded from the tunnel, it can keep using the normal ISP route.
Why does the VPN location look different from the city I selected?
IP geolocation databases are approximate and can lag behind provider routing. Check network owner and ASN too.
Limits and methodology
MyIPScan checks show observable browser and network signals for the current session. Results can change with browser profile, app route, VPN server, router, OS, carrier, DNS, and time. See the methodology and editorial policy.