Troubleshooting
Start with the basics that apply everywhere: check the error message, test your nodes on the Nodes tab, and turn on Me › Record logs so that the core’s messages appear on the Activity tab. Many problems that look like “nothing works” are a node that is down or a subscription that failed to refresh. The general Troubleshooting page covers subscriptions, nodes and rules; this page covers what is specific to Android and Windows.
Windows
Section titled “Windows”Connected, but nothing goes through MeowX
Section titled “Connected, but nothing goes through MeowX”On Windows, the power button only starts the core. If both System proxy and TUN are off (the default on a new installation), no program sends traffic to MeowX. Turn on System proxy on the Home tab’s Takeover card, or turn on TUN. See Windows: TUN and system proxy.
If the system proxy is on but one program still connects directly, it probably ignores Windows’ proxy setting. Use TUN, or point that program at 127.0.0.1:7890 (or your port) yourself.
TUN is on but not in effect
Section titled “TUN is on but not in effect”The hint under the TUN switch reads “Not in effect: no administrator permission” when the core was started without the MeowX service, for example because you declined the UAC prompt at startup. The core then runs under your own account and cannot create the virtual adapter.
- Turn TUN off, then on again.
- If MeowX offers to install or repair the MeowX service, click Install and enable and approve the UAC prompt. MeowX restarts the core through the service.
- If the hint still does not change, use Restart core in the tray menu, or quit MeowX from the tray and start it again, approving the UAC prompt.
A failure to start TUN is only reported in the log. If TUN still does not work, turn on Record logs, reconnect and look for TUN errors on the Logs side of the Activity tab.
You can check the service yourself in the Windows Services console: it is called MeowXHelperService and should be Running. When TUN is working, the MeowXCore process runs as SYSTEM in Task Manager’s Details tab.
MeowX asks for administrator permission when it starts
Section titled “MeowX asks for administrator permission when it starts”When MeowX starts its core and finds that the MeowX service is missing or not responding, it asks Windows to set it up again, which shows a UAC prompt. This normally happens once after installing. If it happens every time, the service is failing to start; check it in the Services console, or reinstall MeowX with the setup package.
You can decline the prompt if you only use system proxy mode. Turning Launch at startup on or off also shows a UAC prompt, because it registers a Windows scheduled task.
“Windows protected your PC”
Section titled ““Windows protected your PC””The installer and the program are not code-signed, so Microsoft Defender SmartScreen may warn you the first time. Click More info, then Run anyway. Download MeowX only from the official Download page.
In-app update on Windows fails
Section titled “In-app update on Windows fails”- “Update failed” before MeowX quits: the download or checksum check failed, or the update helper could not start. Check your connection and try again, or click Go to download page and install the new version by hand.
- A message box after MeowX quits saying the update was not completed: MeowX was restarted in the previous version. Common causes are a declined UAC prompt or files that were still in use. Quit MeowX from the tray, make sure no other MeowX window is open, and try again, or install the new version by hand.
- Updating from a very old version (0.2.4 or earlier): the updater in those versions cannot complete an update. Download and install the current version manually once; later updates then work from inside the app.
- Portable copy and an installed copy on the same PC: both use a Windows service with the same name. Since version 0.2.6, a portable update only touches the service if it belongs to the portable folder. If you are on an older portable version, update it manually once.
Removing a portable copy completely
Section titled “Removing a portable copy completely”If you turned on TUN in a portable copy, the MeowX service is registered with Windows and keeps starting with the PC after you delete the folder. Before deleting the folder, quit MeowX, then in an administrator command prompt run:
sc stop MeowXHelperServicesc delete MeowXHelperServiceDo not do this if MeowX is also installed with the setup package: the installed copy uses the same service, and its uninstaller removes the service for you.
The system proxy stays on after MeowX crashed
Section titled “The system proxy stays on after MeowX crashed”MeowX clears the system proxy when you disconnect or quit normally. If it was killed or crashed, Windows may still point at 127.0.0.1:7890 and websites will not load. Starting MeowX again resets it (the system proxy is only set while MeowX is connected with System proxy on). You can also turn it off yourself in Windows Settings › Network & internet › Proxy.
Android
Section titled “Android”The connection drops in the background
Section titled “The connection drops in the background”Many Android phones stop background apps to save power, which also stops the VPN.
- Exempt MeowX from battery optimization: Me › Advanced › Enhanced Tools › Battery Optimization.
- In your phone’s own settings, allow MeowX to auto-start and to run in the background (the names differ between manufacturers).
- Do not swipe MeowX away in the recent apps list if your system treats that as “force stop”.
Another VPN disconnects MeowX (or the other way around)
Section titled “Another VPN disconnects MeowX (or the other way around)”Android allows only one VPN at a time. Starting another VPN app, or a system feature that uses the VPN slot, disconnects MeowX. Turn the other one off and connect MeowX again.
An app does not use the proxy
Section titled “An app does not use the proxy”Check Proxied apps: in Allowlist mode only the selected apps use MeowX, and in Blocklist mode the selected apps bypass it. Changes take effect after reconnecting. If the app list is empty, grant the permission to read installed apps when asked.
Notifications arrive late
Section titled “Notifications arrive late”Push notifications follow your rules by default. Turn off Me › Traffic control › Proxy push services to send Google push traffic direct. This works in Rule mode only.
“APK contains no signature files” when installing
Section titled ““APK contains no signature files” when installing”Installers on some OPPO, realme and OnePlus phones (ColorOS) rejected APKs of version 0.2.6 and earlier with this message. Download the current version from the Download page; it installs normally and can be installed over an older version.
Both platforms
Section titled “Both platforms”Overrides or custom rules have no effect
Section titled “Overrides or custom rules have no effect”Block QUIC, the bypass list, the push-service exception and custom rules only work in Rule mode on Android and Windows. Check the outbound mode on the Home tab. Also remember that connections that were already open keep their route until they are closed; use Close all on the Activity tab.
Account features time out while connected
Section titled “Account features time out while connected”In Rule mode, MeowX connects to your provider’s dashboard directly. In Global mode it does not, so the dashboard is reached through the selected node, which may not be able to reach it. Switch to Rule mode, or pick another node, and try again.
A subscription does not refresh
Section titled “A subscription does not refresh”MeowX gives up on a download after about 15 seconds without connecting or 30 seconds without receiving data, and retries once directly if the download through the core failed with a network error. If it still fails, the error message tells you why. Check that the URL works in a browser and that your nodes are reachable.
The speed test cannot start
Section titled “The speed test cannot start”The speed test needs MeowX to be connected and at least one node (or Direct) to test through. Proxy groups cannot be selected, only individual nodes.