VPN Setup Guide: Connect with OpenVPN

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Overview

Cat6 uses the standard OpenVPN protocol, so any OpenVPN client works. You download one profile, import it, and connect. The same profile works across every Cat6 location.

Create an account and activate a plan.
Download your profile from the dashboard.
Import the profile into OpenVPN GUI or OpenVPN Connect.
Connect.

You need an active plan. Profile downloads are available on paid plans. If you do not have one yet, pick a plan on the purchase page.

Download your profile

Create an account or sign in.
Open the Dashboard. Under the VPN profile section, leave the client set to OpenVPN.
Click Download profile. Your browser saves a file named cat6.tar.
Extract it. Windows 10 and 11, macOS and most Linux desktops open .tar files by double-clicking. On the command line run tar -xf cat6.tar.
Inside is one or more .ovpn files. That is your profile.

Keep it private. Your profile contains your personal VPN key. Do not share it. If it leaks, contact support and we will reset it.

OpenVPN GUI (Windows)

OpenVPN GUI is the classic Windows client. Install it from the official OpenVPN Community downloads page.

Run the installer and accept the defaults.
Copy your .ovpn file into one of the config folders:
Config folders
```
C:\Users\<you>\OpenVPN\config
C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config
```
Start OpenVPN GUI. It appears as an icon in the system tray (click the ^ arrow if it is hidden).
Right-click the tray icon, choose your Cat6 profile, then Connect.
The icon turns green when you are connected.

OpenVPN GUI also offers Import file… in the tray menu, which copies the profile for you.

Admin rights. If the connection fails to add routes, right-click OpenVPN GUI and choose Run as administrator.

OpenVPN Connect

OpenVPN Connect is the official app for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Install it from openvpn.net/client or your device's app store.

Open OpenVPN Connect.
Choose the Upload File tab and drag your .ovpn file in, or tap Browse and select it.
Click Add when the profile details appear.
Toggle the profile on to connect.

On a phone, extract the archive first with your Files app, then open the .ovpn file and choose OpenVPN Connect. Or download your profile on a computer and send the .ovpn file to your phone.

Other clients

Any OpenVPN-compatible client can use the same .ovpn file.

macOS: Tunnelblick. Double-click the .ovpn file to import it.
Linux: the command line, or NetworkManager's OpenVPN plugin.

Linux

sudo apt install openvpn
sudo openvpn --config /path/to/your-profile.ovpn

Press Ctrl+C to disconnect.

Check your connection

When the client reports Connected, open the dashboard. Your session shows up there with the location you are using. You can also compare your public IP address before and after connecting. It should change.

Live server load and locations are on the status page.

Troubleshooting

The Download profile button fails or says I need a plan

Profile downloads need an active paid plan. Check your plan on the dashboard or purchase one. If your session expired, sign in again.

The client cannot find my profile

Make sure you extracted cat6.tar and are using the .ovpn file inside it, not the archive itself.

It gets stuck on "Connecting" or times out

Some networks block VPN traffic. Try another network, such as a phone hotspot. Check that your device clock and time zone are correct, because certificates are time-sensitive. Pause any firewall or other VPN while you test.

Authentication failed

Download a fresh profile from the dashboard and import it again, removing the old one first. An out-of-date profile is the usual cause.

Connected, but websites will not load

Disconnect and reconnect. If it persists, flush your DNS cache or restart the client, and tell support which location you were using.

Support

Still stuck? Tell us your device, client and what you see, and we will help.

Need a hand?

Open a ticket and our team will get back to you.

Open support

How to connect to Cat6 VPN