NordVPN Linux client causing YouTube Live streams to crash

[jkemp814]

Hello everyone,

When I enable the NordVPN Linux client, Youtube 'Live' streams fail.

I receive an error message:

"Something went wrong error. Refresh or try again later"

If I turn off killswitch and autoconnect, then disconnect, the live stream plays fine. I thought it was my browser, plugins and location. It turns out to be the VPN connection.

I believe it has to do with the NordLynx protocol.

I am now using NordVPN with NetworkManager and OpenVPN file (us9711) with no problems. Connection is solid and live streams play uninterrupted.

So there is something happening with the Linux client. I can stream regular videos just fine from YouTube. It's the live streams that are failing. If I go to another site, live streams are okay. Seems to only occur on YouTube.

[devzbysiu]

Hi, great that you figured out a workaround 👍. We tried to reproduce that, but without luck. Could you share more info about the connection?

• are you connecting to some specific servers? Or it doesn't matter and you have issue as long as you use NordLynx?
• could you share the output of nordvpn settings

[jkemp814]

I have uninstalled the NordVPN client and using OpenVPN and systemd to start it automatically.

It was pacific when using the NordVPN Linux client, which selected the NordLynx protocol.

I had the Killswitch enabled and auto-connect for Los_Angeles, because using the Phoenix servers, YouTube would ask me to confirm I wasn't a Bot.

So I'm still using NordVPN via OpenVPN, and the connection is rock solid. No problems with Live streams on YouTube. Just no NordVPN Linux client installed.

The live streams would fail, even in other browsers, and my laptop would do the same, It had the NordVPN Linux client installed also. So I uninstalled off the my laptop, also.

[devzbysiu]

Aah, ok, I see. I thought that you changed the technology in the client, because it's possible to do nordvpn set technology openvpn and the client will use OpenVPN instead of NordLynx.
That's interesting. I think it may be somehow related to this one #627

Could you try to install the client back and see if nordvpn set technology openvpn helps? You can also try to use different servers. Maybe this Phoenix server is again playing a role here

[MaEscalanteHe]

Hello!

I've been experiencing this issue for the past few days while connected to the Madrid server

Here’s the current configuration of my NordVPN client:

Technology: NORDLYNX
Firewall: enabled
Firewall Mark: 0xe1f1
Routing: enabled
Analytics: enabled
Kill Switch: disabled
Threat Protection Lite: enabled
Notify: enabled
Tray: enabled
Auto-connect: disabled
IPv6: disabled
Meshnet: disabled
DNS: disabled
LAN Discovery: enabled
Virtual Location: enabled
Post-quantum VPN: disabled

Even when switching the client technology to openvpn, the issue persists. I've tried both UDP and TCP protocols, but the problem occurs with both. Additionally, the issue happens in any browser — I’ve tested it on Firefox (my main browser) and Chrome.

[MaEscalanteHe]

I followed the recommendations from this blog post: Troubleshooting steps for streaming, and it seems the issue has been resolved.

Here's the current configuration of my client:

Technology: NORDLYNX
Firewall: enabled
Firewall Mark: 0xe1f1
Routing: enabled
Analytics: enabled
Kill Switch: disabled
Threat Protection Lite: disabled
Notify: enabled
Tray: enabled
Auto-connect: disabled
IPv6: disabled
Meshnet: disabled
DNS: 103.86.96.100, 103.86.99.100
LAN Discovery: enabled
Virtual Location: enabled
Post-quantum VPN: disabled

However, it begs a question: Does Threat Protection conflict with YouTube streaming on Linux?

[mariusSincovici]

Hi @MaEscalanteHe,
thank you for your feedback.

From our tests we didn't observed any issues with Threat Protection Lite and YouTube streaming.
If you enable it, will you have again issues with the streaming?

Thanks

[MaEscalanteHe]

Hi @mariusSincovici,

Thank you for following up. As soon as I enable Threat Protection Lite, the YouTube streams start to crash.

Happy to provide any additional details if it helps with troubleshooting.

[mariusSincovici]

Hi @MaEscalanteHe,

Thank you for checking again. I was able yesterday to reproduce it too, but not always.
We're discussing with our backend teams and as soon as we have updates we'll let you know. Until then please disable Threat Protection Lite.

Have you by any chance tried with servers from another country or only Madrid?
Thanks

[MaEscalanteHe]

Hi @mariusSincovici,

I just tested again with Threat Protection Lite active, using the following servers:

* Spain #190 (es190.nordvpn.com)
* United States #6609 (us6609.nordvpn.com)
* Egypt #2 (eg2.nordvpn.com) - Virtual
* Panama #2 (pa2.nordvpn.com) - Virtual

The issue persists across these servers.

Thank you for the attention to this issue. I’ll be on standby if further testing is needed on my side.

[jkemp814]

I reinstall NordVPN Linux client and the problem reoccurred. I disabled the Threat Protect Lite and the problem went away. Remember, this was on 'YouTube Live' videos. Live videos on other sites wouldn't do this.

The connection using OpenVPN and systemd is rock solid and starts on it own. The only downfall to this method is switching servers is a pain. I have to change the /etc/openvpn/client/client.conf file manually.

I would like to use NordVPN client to be able to start and stop, switch servers from console.