Troubleshooting Order
Network Requirements for AI Tools
Being able to open an AI tool doesn't mean chats, image generation, or API requests will work. A single task may involve account authentication, API calls, a sustained response, and file transfers. A homepage needs only a brief connection, while generating content may require a longer session. When troubleshooting, note exactly where the failure occurs instead of attributing every issue to a slow route.
Region Checks and IP Reputation
Tools may use your exit IP, account settings, billing details, and sign-in history to determine eligibility, and their rules can change. Before choosing a route, check the tool's official list of supported regions and its terms of service, then select an appropriate location. A nearby location won't necessarily work for every AI service, and different exit IPs in the same region can produce different results.
The history of a shared exit IP may affect how a third-party platform assesses risk. If prompted for additional verification, follow the platform's instructions and keep your access environment consistent; avoid repeatedly switching regions. VPNFZ network access cannot replace a third party's account review or change its eligibility requirements.
Persistent Connections and Streaming Responses
Streaming delivers content piece by piece. If you're still signed in but a response stops mid-sentence, the persistent connection may have dropped, client rules may not cover the API domain, or the service's task may have failed. Check for network changes, device sleep, and client connection logs first, then see whether the issue affects only one tool. A larger data plan helps manage usage; it doesn't make an individual response faster.
Tools × Route Requirements
Route guide for popular tools: route selection
This table offers troubleshooting pointers, not a guarantee of availability. Check each tool's official guidance and your current access for supported regions, account permissions, and feature availability. You can compare route types such as IEPL dedicated lines, relay routes, and direct connections, but the route label alone can't tell you whether a specific exit will work.
| Tool | Route Requirements | Sign-in Checks | Usage Checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Meets the tool's supported-region requirements; keeps the exit consistent for sustained connections | Check that authentication redirects and session state complete successfully | Check that chat APIs, attachments, and streaming responses all use the intended route |
| Claude | Meets the tool's supported-region requirements; avoid frequent changes to your access environment | Check for region notices, additional verification, and account status | Test long responses, file uploads, and API permissions separately |
| Gemini | Meets the specific product's regional requirements; keeps authentication and requests on the same exit | Check Google account eligibility and organization restrictions | Check regional eligibility and project permissions separately for web and developer APIs |
| Copilot | Covers authentication, chat, or coding requests for the specific product | Check that Microsoft or GitHub account authorization completed | Check proxy settings separately for web chat and IDE extensions |
| Midjourney | Supports sustained access to the relevant entry point, task requests, and image assets | Check account access and subscription permissions | Check task submission, queue status, and image loading separately |
| Cursor | Supports the IDE process, sustained responses, and project context transfers | Check that account authorization in the editor completed successfully | Check whether process-level proxy settings affect chat, autocomplete, and model requests |
The same product name doesn't always mean the same access requirements
Copilot's web chat and GitHub Copilot's developer features use different workflows. Gemini's web service and developer API also have separate eligibility and permission requirements. When using Midjourney through its website or Discord, sign-in, task processing, and image assets may come from different domains. Being able to open the homepage doesn't mean every feature is connected.
Cursor isn't just a browser page. The editor process, extensions, and terminal may each use different network settings. If Claude shows a region or verification notice, see Claude region checks and route selection for ways to assess your access environment, but always follow the platform's current rules.
Accounts and Authentication
Checks for Sign-Up and Sign-In
Before starting an account flow for a third-party tool, choose your intended location and keep that route active in your browser. Authentication may redirect to other account services. If the sign-in page uses a proxy but the callback goes through a different exit, you may encounter redirect loops, expired sessions, or another verification prompt. Client rules should cover the entire authentication flow, not just the tool's homepage.
If you see a notice that your region isn't supported, your account is under review, or your organization restricts access, read the message first. Check the supported regions for regional notices; contact the platform's official support for account issues; and remember that organization accounts may be subject to administrator policies. Changing your network won't fix all of these issues, and repeatedly retrying can obscure the actual account problem.
Browser extensions, cookie restrictions, and stale sessions can also interfere with sign-in. Try a fresh browser session on the same route to see whether authentication completes, then decide whether to clear site data. Save anything important first. Don't clear a session and change your exit at the same time, or you won't know which change helped.
A VPNFZ account requires no email address; sign up with a username and password. These are VPNFZ access requirements and don't necessarily match the account rules of third-party AI tools.
Two Access Paths
Web and API Requirements
Web: Check the Full Session
Web access relies on browser sessions, authentication redirects, scripts, and API requests. Check in order whether the page loads, your sign-in state persists, the message is sent, and the response continues to arrive. If you can see your chat history but new requests fail, inspect the API requests instead of repeatedly refreshing a static page. Troubleshoot failed attachment uploads separately from text chats.
API: Check Which Machine Sends the Request
API requests are sent from the device running your code. A working browser connection only confirms that the browser's route works; it doesn't mean your terminal, backend service, or remote server uses the same route. Also check API credentials, project permissions, account quota, model access, and request format. Web subscriptions and API billing are usually handled separately; check the tool's official guidance for details.
When troubleshooting an API, start with a simple request that's easy to assess. Distinguish connection failures from authentication failures, usage limits, and server errors. Record the error type and request ID, but never include a complete secret key in logs or support tickets. For streaming requests, check whether an intermediary gateway is buffering the response or closing the connection too soon. If the network is already connected, changing locations may not fix an application-level setting.
VPNFZ plans provide network access and don't include third-party AI accounts, memberships, or API quota. Check the relevant tool's account or project page for its fees and permissions.
CLI · IDE · CI
Proxy Checks for Development Environments
CLI: Confirm the Process Uses the Settings
Whether a command-line tool uses the system proxy depends on the tool and its runtime. Check the client's local proxy details, then configure HTTP_PROXY, HTTPS_PROXY, or the relevant option according to the tool's documentation. The proxy protocol must match the client's listener; changing only the variable name doesn't make HTTP and SOCKS interchangeable.
Check that NO_PROXY doesn't exclude the destination service. Environment variables are usually read when a process starts, so restart your terminal or app after changing them. Don't copy addresses or ports from another device, and don't disable certificate verification without good reason. Certificate errors call for checking the system clock, certificate chain, or corporate network configuration.
IDE: Distinguish the Editor, Extensions, and Remote Processes
Proxy options in Cursor and other IDEs may not cover every extension. Requests from the editor can still fail even after browser authorization succeeds. Check how the app's own network settings, extension logs, and system proxy interact. Restart relevant processes after making changes, then test chat and autocomplete separately.
With remote development, containers, or subsystems, your code may not run on your local machine. A localhost address inside a container refers to the container itself, not the host's client; a remote machine doesn't automatically inherit your local network connection. First identify where the request originates, then configure access for that environment.
CI: Check the Runner
CI networking comes from the runner; your local connection doesn't automatically extend to the job environment. Confirm the service provider allows this use, then check whether the runner can reach the target API. Store credentials in CI secret variables and keep only necessary error details in logs. Retry recoverable connection or service errors, not permission denials. For streaming tasks, also check workflow and application timeouts.
Troubleshoot by Symptom
Common Failures and Causes
ChatGPT won't load. Should I switch routes or check the client first?
First check your VPNFZ plan status, client connection, and selected location, then see whether other websites load. If access is generally failing, troubleshoot the connection or subscription first. If only this tool is affected, check its supported regions, authentication, and API rules. Keep other conditions unchanged and compare routes in the same region to narrow down the cause.
Claude or Gemini says my region is restricted. Why can't I use it if the connection works?
A successful connection only means the network link is up; it doesn't establish eligibility for the platform. Check the exit region, supported locations, and account requirements. Web and API access may have different rules. If your region is supported but access is still denied, save the notice and contact the tool's official support. Avoid repeatedly signing in from different regions.
Why does a response stop partway through when the page loads again after refreshing?
A successful short request and a stable sustained response are different things. Check whether the network changed mid-response, the device went to sleep, the client disconnected, or the API request used an unexpected route. Also check the platform's task status and usage notices. Keep the device and location unchanged while testing, and avoid resubmitting tasks unnecessarily, as this may consume more quota.
The website works, but Cursor or the API can't connect. How do I troubleshoot?
First identify whether the failed request comes from the editor, terminal, container, or remote host. Check each environment's proxy settings, environment variables, and domain rules, then verify API permissions. A proxy in your browser doesn't mean these environments are connected too. Restart the relevant processes after changing settings, and see whether the error changes from a network failure to an authentication or service message.
Midjourney images won't load. Does that mean the generation task failed?
Not necessarily. Task submission, the generation queue, and image asset loading are separate stages. Check the task status in the tool, then inspect image requests and client rules. If only the image fails to load, troubleshoot the asset route first to avoid resubmitting a task that already succeeded.
For more help, see the troubleshooting guide. When opening a support ticket with VPNFZ, include the platform, client, location name, time of the issue, and steps you've already tried. Redact account details and keys from screenshots. Don't share subscription links, complete API credentials, or private conversation content.
Locations and Data Usage
AI route recommendations
Choose a location first, then a route. Use the tool's official service regions to pick a location, then compare the real-world connection performance of IEPL dedicated lines, relay routes, and direct connections within an eligible region. Keep the device, tool entry point, and actions consistent while testing. Check whether sign-in completes, responses continue, and attachments transfer instead of judging by route labels alone.
Once you find an access environment that works, keep it as your regular location and choose a backup route in the same region. There's no need to switch exits after an isolated error on a routine chat. For platform quota, permission, or model errors, address the specific issue first; for persistent connection problems, follow the network troubleshooting steps one at a time. VPNFZ supports Windows / macOS / iOS / Android / Linux, with unlimited simultaneous devices. When using multiple devices, check each client's and app's network path separately.
Plans Based on Your Usage
Monthly plans: ¥9.9/month for 60GB · ¥18/month for 250GB · ¥28/month for 500GB. Data resets monthly on your activation date. Mid-cycle upgrades are prorated based on the remaining days. Chats, file uploads, image transfers, and other network activity all count toward usage. Choose a plan based on the actual usage shown in your dashboard, not an estimated allowance per tool.
Data add-ons: ¥158/300GB · ¥358/1000GB · ¥658/3000GB. Use them until they're gone; they never expire. VPNFZ accepts Alipay / WeChat Pay / USDT and offers a 7-day refund policy. Check the pricing page and dashboard for details on how plans and data add-ons work. Network plans don't replace paid access to AI tools.