Users attempting to access websites through the NordVPN service encountered a block message on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, instructing them to disable the VPN or configure “split tunneling.” The message appeared in multiple languages, including English, Dutch, and French.
The block, which affected access to at least one website, prompted discussion among NordVPN users on online forums. A post on Reddit from July 29, 2025, highlighted previous issues with VPN detection and constant CAPTCHA requests, leading one user to switch from Private Internet Access (PIA) to NordVPN. The current block suggests those issues may persist.
Split tunneling, a VPN feature, allows users to route some internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel while sending other data directly over the internet. According to Norton VPN, this feature is designed to allow users to encrypt sensitive data while maintaining connection speeds for activities like gaming. CNET reported in July 2023 that split tunneling can help alleviate issues with slowed internet speeds and limited access to local services often associated with VPN use.
There are different types of split tunneling, including inverse split, app-based split, and URL-based split, as outlined by NordVPN. Inverse split tunneling is considered the most secure, allowing only trusted programs to connect directly to the internet. App-based split tunneling filters selected app traffic through the VPN, while URL-based split tunneling excludes specific web addresses from VPN protection.
Not all VPNs offer split tunneling, and even those that do may not offer all three types. Availability is often limited to Android and Windows apps, with very few VPNs supporting the feature on Mac and iOS. Surfshark, for example, refers to its split tunneling feature as “Bypasser.”
The recent block message suggests a growing sophistication in the detection of VPN usage by websites and online services. While split tunneling offers a potential workaround, its effectiveness appears to be limited, as evidenced by the current situation with NordVPN users.
