I Need help with this situation

Hello I am new to the forum, but I need some help with this situation. I am changing my stuff to another system from a previous one. Let me explain the situation:

I built a new computer with windows 11 and went to install qbittorrent . Had no issues. I have ExpressVPN for my vpn, (and it has been reliable and had no problems with speed and stability). I forwarded my ports on my Asus router (and confirmed that my port is open). I bound qbittorrent to my VPN (the option said “Ethernet2”. When I went to the ipleak:8000 page, or any other torrent address checker (which I always do to check my connection before every torrenting session), I could not connect at all - the magnet file was stuck. I checked my ip address; dns leak test; and webWRTC for the location that I am using to confirm that I am anonymous, and all confirmed that the vpn was working. I then went to use an ubuntu download for a test torrent, and that was stalled. These are the settings that I have previously used in my last machine. but this time it wont work. I then went to disconnect my vpn and tried to download the ubuntu torrent file again. Same result: stalled. For years, I have been using utorrrent and qbittorrent with out any connection issues. Wham I doing wrong here? None of the ideas on the web works. I believe that I have done everything correct in the install, and binding, but something is wrong in one of the processes. I sent the last part of five hours on this, and nothing works.

ExpressVPN doesn’t support port-forwarding. Choose a better VPN for torrenting.

I give up.

Tried reinstalling, no connection. I don’t know what happened with something that I have been successful with for years… All the test torrents or the magnet from ipleak just wont connect. My firewalls are the same setting. Its like something somewhere is blocking it. I just don’t know what happened. I’ve followed the instructions of some on the net, but I need help!!!

Still getting stalled. with or without the VPN. What next?

I also have a side question. I can’t tell what adapter that my vpn uses. I have “ethernet” and “ethernet2”. But I’m not sure because they won’t drop off the list when connecting and disconnecting. I know that older versions of Windows let you what adapters are visible and in use, but I can’t figure it out in Windows 11. Maybe that is one off the problems? The frustrations is setting in and I have spent several hours trying to solve this.

Now I’ve encountered new problems. I cant find an adapter to bind. Since ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, it uses the TUN adapter instead of both the TAP and the TUN. I have several choices, which the obvious ones do not work:

  1. Any Interface
  2. Ethernet (my main connection)
  3. Ethernet 2 (which is the broken Express VPN adapter)
  4. WiFi
  5. Local Area Connection
  6. Local Area Connection 2
  7. Bluetooth Connection
  8. Loopback Pseudo Interface

The connection shows that I’m on Local Area Connection 4. That does not show up on the list to bind to. What do I do now?

I will uninstall and reinstall the VPN to see if the adapter changes.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

I uninstalled and reinstalled the VPN. Found the “Local Area Connection” that Express VPN uses. (there were three Local Area Connections, but the one that was good was the one that did not have the number next to it. Bound the VPN; went to IPLeak to check the addresses. Under the torrent address tab, the proper address for the country I am using works, along with the port that I am using. I went to also check the Web RTC Leak test and the DNS Leak test. All works fine.

This was an ordeal, but know I know that when I build a new system, hopefully I will remember this process.

There are two kinds of port forwarding. This one doesn’t go in the router. It goes in qbits network preference.

If you’re using a VPN, port forwarding on your router won’t do anything. You need to port forward from the VPN.

Maybe windows firewall rules weren’t set when you installed qBittorrent, try uninstalling qBitt and reinstall keeping an eye out for the firewall rules popup

Port forwarding? Not too sure

I understand that. But I had no issues in the past with the previous set up. None at all. I believe that this is a configuration issue somewhere along the line if I cannot even torrent “in the clear” without a vpn. (Which I wouldn’t do, and used a test torrent to see if it works)

Dude, you’re overcomplicating this.

  1. Uninstall qBittorrent and ExpressVPN (delete data if prompted)
  2. Undo everything you did on the router
  3. Clean installation of qBittorent with default settings (no binding)
  4. Try Ubuntu torrent. It has to work. If not, open the qBitorrent port gave you on the Windows firewall (if using Windows) and try again. Do not go to next step if this isn’t working.
  5. Clean installation of ExpressVPN and connect. Test again Ubuntu.
  6. Now find the binding interface by following the pinned post at this subreddit.

There you go, it’s not that difficult.

Follow method (1) here: https://www.reddit.com/r/VPNTorrents/comments/ssy8vv/guide_bind_vpn_network_interface_to_torrent/

If not working, then try their other protocols or contact their support.

Please explain? I’ve always used the same port that I have on my router. And what port to use. I have a port that i have found.

Reset to defaults and repeat steps until you lose connectivity. Use Ubuntu torrent to check. But forwarding ports on the router is useless for ExpressVPN.

  1. Uninstalled both programs. Cleared data. Done
  2. Undid port forwarding on the router. Done
  3. Clean installation of qbitorrent. Default. Done
  4. Tried ubuntu torrent. It downloaded properly without issue. Done
  5. Clean install of Express VPN. Done
  6. Tried ubuntu torrent. STALLED.
  7. I went into my network connections and found out that the “Ethernet 2” (which is the adapter that Express VPN) says that the Network Cable is unplugged) Checked connections on the router and ethernet cable. All plugged in. It has a red check mark next to the adapter. But the Local Area Connection 3 is working. That has the Express VPN TUN Driver. I hit the properties tab on the adapter and it says its working. Ran the diagnostic on the adapter and it keeps saying that the network cable is unplugged. SO this must be the problem, and how do I go into the properties to fix it? It is plugged in after all.

Ok. Reset everything and what port should I use? I’m still confused,so you will have to break this down for me. This is a new problem that I haven’t encountered.

Sounds like the issue is on ExpressVPN, contact their support

Any port, the one you already have on qBittorrent. It should work out of the box.