How can I fix a WebRTC leak?

Disable WebRTC in browser settings, use privacy extensions, enable WebRTC leak protection in your VPN, and re‑test using MyIPScan’s WebRTC Leak Test.

Does disabling WebRTC break anything?

It may affect in‑browser video calls or file‑sharing apps like Google Meet or Discord, but it’s safe for normal browsing and increases privacy.

Home › FAQ › What Is a WebRTC Leak and Why It Matters

What Is a WebRTC Leak and Why It Matters

Q: What is a WebRTC leak?

A WebRTC leak happens when your browser exposes your real or local IP address through WebRTC APIs, even while connected to a VPN or proxy.

Updated: October 15, 2025

A WebRTC leak occurs when your browser reveals your real IP address — including private or local network IPs — through WebRTC’s peer‑to‑peer connection system. Even when using a VPN, this can expose your identity and location to websites or scripts running in the browser. In this article, we’ll explain what WebRTC is, why leaks happen, how to test for them, and how to stop them permanently.

What is WebRTC?

WebRTC (Web Real‑Time Communication) is a browser technology that allows direct peer‑to‑peer connections for video calls, file sharing, or data streaming. It’s built into Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and most mobile browsers. To make these connections, the browser needs to know your local and public IP addresses — which can unintentionally leak to any website that requests them.

Why WebRTC leaks are dangerous

Reveals your true IP — even if a VPN is active, your local or real public IP may still appear via WebRTC APIs.
Bypasses proxy or VPN tunnels — WebRTC connections can use separate network routes not covered by VPN encryption.
Exposes internal IPs — these can reveal your device model or network structure.
Used in browser fingerprinting — combining IP, timezone, and system data increases tracking accuracy.

How to test for WebRTC leaks

Connect your VPN (or proxy) as usual.
Visit WebRTC Leak Test.
Compare the IPs shown there with your public IP.
If your real IP or local 192.168.x.x / 10.x.x.x addresses appear, you have a leak.

How to prevent WebRTC leaks

1. Browser-level fixes

Firefox: go to about:config → set media.peerconnection.enabled to false.
Chrome / Edge / Brave: install privacy extensions like WebRTC Leak Prevent or uBlock Origin with “Prevent WebRTC IP leak” enabled.
Safari (macOS/iOS): WebRTC leaks are limited but still test periodically using MyIPScan tools.

2. VPN & network-level protections

Use a VPN with WebRTC leak protection or a firewall that blocks UDP traffic outside the tunnel.
Disable IPv6 if your VPN doesn’t handle it, as WebRTC can use IPv6 paths.
For advanced users: block STUN requests via custom firewall or DNS filtering.

3. Test after changes

After applying fixes, re‑check at WebRTC Leak Test and confirm only your VPN IP is visible. You can also cross‑verify with DNS Lookup for consistency.

WebRTC leak vs DNS leak

While both can expose privacy, they differ fundamentally:

Aspect	WebRTC Leak	DNS Leak
Layer	Browser / Application	Network / System
Leak content	Real & local IPs	Resolver info, domains
Fix level	Browser settings or VPN	VPN config or encrypted DNS
Detection tool	WebRTC Leak Test	DNS Lookup

Checklist: stay protected

Disable or limit WebRTC in browser settings.
Use a VPN with built‑in leak protection.
Block UDP leaks with a firewall if needed.
Test regularly on MyIPScan WebRTC Test.

Test now: Run the WebRTC Leak Test and confirm only your VPN’s IP is visible. Then verify with DNS Lookup for full privacy coverage.