WSL 2 Internet connection doesn't work until I connect to VPN

[N-Molham]

Environment

Windows build number: `10.0.19041.0`
Your Distribution version: `Ubuntu 20.04`
Whether the issue is on WSL 2 and/or WSL 1: WSL2

To make internet connection working on WSL2 machine, I have to connect to VPN (Wire Guard) first, otherwise it doesn't work

This wasn't the case, it was working fine (with TunSafe VPN client) installed without any issue, I believe this issue surfaced after the latest windows update a couple of days ago. I am not sure what causing this problem, windows update is the only thing changes without me doing anything.

Steps to reproduce

1. Connect to VPN, I use TunSafe
2. In WSL2 I have to edit /etc/resolv.conf and change the nameserver from 172.20.144.1 to something like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8
3. If I changed the nameserver back or disconnect from the VPN, internet connection stops

WSL logs: I tried to follow the steps but I didn't get the last option/tab which I can collect the logs

Expected behavior

I should have internet connection on my WSL2 machine

Actual behavior

As described, I have to connect to VPN server and change nameserver to make it work

More data

Network adapters

Wi-Fi Adapter sharing settings, I already tried turning this on/off states

WSL Adapter

Default Switch adapter

Hope this helps to solve the problem that I am having as I need WSL for my web development work

[wushangwei]

I once had the opposite problem: WSL2 lost internet connection when connected to WIreGuard VPN.

I solved the problem by editing the "AllowedIPs“ field of WireGuard conf:
`[Interface]
PrivateKey = xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address = 10.88.88.2/24
DNS = 1.1.1.1

[Peer]
PublicKey = yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
PresharedKey = zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
AllowedIPs = ::/128, 0.0.0.0/1, 128.0.0.0/1
Endpoint = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxxx`

Hope it will help you.

[N-Molham]

Thanks @wushangwei it worked

[rajnathsah]

Run below from powershell in admin mode for cisco any connect vpn.

Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.InterfaceDescription -Match "Cisco AnyConnect"} | Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceMetric 4000
Get-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (WSL)" | Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceMetric 1

[jrgilman]

I once had the opposite problem: WSL2 lost internet connection when connected to WIreGuard VPN.

I solved the problem by editing the "AllowedIPs“ field of WireGuard conf:
`[Interface]
PrivateKey = xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address = 10.88.88.2/24
DNS = 1.1.1.1

[Peer]
PublicKey = yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
PresharedKey = zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
AllowedIPs = ::/128, 0.0.0.0/1, 128.0.0.0/1
Endpoint = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxxx`

Hope it will help you.

This worked for us just now! Awesome :) No idea why though, 0.0.0.0/0 should be identical to 0.0.0.0/1 and 128.0.0.0/1???

[juanmirocks]

If you are using WireGuard VPN, this might help: #5784 (comment)

[mys2kor]

Run below from powershell in admin mode for cisco any connect vpn.

Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.InterfaceDescription -Match "Cisco AnyConnect"} | Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceMetric 4000 Get-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "vEthernet (WSL)" | Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceMetric 1

Hi, I am having the same issue (WSL 2 Internet connection doesn't work until I connect to VPN) but I use cisco any connect vpn. I tried running the commands you mentioned but I get error. I am running Windows 11. Further details of my issue can be found here.