Why did Mullvad VPN stop supporting OpenVPN?

Mullvad retired OpenVPN to focus on WireGuard, which offers better performance, security, and a simpler codebase.

What happens if my Mullvad VPN connection stopped working?

Your connection likely stopped because Mullvad shut down its OpenVPN servers. You need to switch to WireGuard.

How do I switch from OpenVPN to WireGuard on Mullvad?

Ensure you are using the latest Mullvad app and have WireGuard enabled, or update your router/client configuration.

Home / Technology / Mullvad Ditches OpenVPN: Are You Ready?

Mullvad Ditches OpenVPN: Are You Ready?

15 Jan

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Summary

Mullvad VPN has fully retired OpenVPN servers as of today.
Users still on OpenVPN must migrate to WireGuard for service.
The switch promises better performance and stability with WireGuard.

Mullvad VPN has completed its planned transition away from the OpenVPN protocol, taking all remaining OpenVPN servers offline as of January 15, 2026. This retirement of legacy servers means that any connections still attempting to use OpenVPN will no longer function, impacting users who have not yet migrated.

The company has encouraged users to adopt WireGuard, citing its advantages in performance, security, and maintainability. While Mullvad's desktop applications automatically switched users to WireGuard in December 2025, the deadline specifically affects those using external clients, routers, or custom configurations reliant on OpenVPN.

Users experiencing connection issues are advised to update their Mullvad applications and ensure WireGuard is enabled. For persistent problems or restrictive network environments, Mullvad suggests exploring their anti-censorship options like UDP-over-TCP or Shadowsocks. The provider anticipates that this consolidation will lead to improved stability and performance.