What you’re seeing
- As soon as NetExtender shows 'Connected', websites stop loading on the remote laptop.
- Office resources such as file shares or remote desktop work over the VPN, but Google, Microsoft 365 and Zoom do not.
- Browsing works again the moment the user disconnects from the VPN.
- Web pages that do load are very slow, or only sites using IP addresses respond.
- The problem started after a SonicOS update, a NetExtender upgrade or a change to SSL-VPN settings.
Common causes
Every environment is different, but these are the causes our engineers find most often:
- The SSL-VPN is configured for full tunnel, sending all internet traffic to the office, but the firewall has no rule letting VPN users out to the internet.
- The DNS servers pushed to VPN clients are internal servers that cannot be reached or do not resolve public names.
- Split tunneling is set up but the client routes list is missing or wrong.
- The address pool for VPN clients overlaps the home network range, confusing routing on the laptop.
- Security services on the SonicWall are filtering or blocking traffic from the SSL-VPN zone.
- An outdated NetExtender client handles routes or DNS differently from the current firmware.
Why it matters
Remote staff need both office systems and cloud apps at the same time. If connecting to the VPN cuts them off from email, Teams or web-based software, they constantly connect and disconnect, losing time and interrupting calls. Many will simply stay disconnected, which means files get copied locally or emailed around instead of staying on the protected server. In a full-tunnel setup, broken internet access can also mean security filtering you are paying for is not being applied to remote users.
How AskTechGurus fixes it
Skip the trial and error. A certified engineer works on your actual system, finds the root cause, and fixes it properly.
Tell us what’s happening
Submit a ticket in about two minutes. Paste the error, describe what changed, and pick your tier. No charge to submit.
A certified engineer diagnoses it
A vetted, US-based systems engineer claims your ticket, usually within minutes during business hours, and investigates over a secure remote session you can watch and end at any time.
Fixed and verified with you
The engineer resolves the root cause and confirms with you that it’s working. You don’t just get a workaround, and you get a plain-English summary of what was wrong.
Pay only when it’s resolved
Fixed price from $99, invoiced only after you approve the fix. If it isn’t resolved, you don’t pay.
Frequently asked questions
Should all internet traffic go through the office when people are on VPN?
It depends on your security needs. Full tunnel gives you more control and filtering, while split tunnel is lighter on the office connection; either can work if it is configured properly.
Why can staff reach office files but not the internet?
The VPN tunnel itself is working. The issue is how internet-bound traffic or name lookups are handled once the tunnel is up.
Can AskTechGurus fix our SonicWall VPN?
Yes. A certified US engineer reviews the SonicWall and client settings through a remote secure session, starting at $99, and you pay only when remote users have full access again.