Zscaler Mobile Killing Your Internet? Fix It Now! [Guide]
Experiencing intermittent internet connectivity on your mobile device after installing Zscaler Mobile is a frustrating problem for many users. Zscaler’s Cloud Security Platform, designed to protect your device, can sometimes inadvertently cause zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service. This guide will explore how misconfigured Mobile Device Management (MDM) settings within your organization can impact Zscaler’s functionality. Properly configuring the Zscaler Client Connector is also essential to ensure seamless internet access, preventing these disruptions.
Image taken from the YouTube channel Mark Ryan Welshgeek1 , from the video titled Zscaler Private Access – Network Location Awareness .
Zscaler Mobile Killing Your Internet? Fix It Now! [Guide]
It’s a frustratingly common scenario: you’re connected to Wi-Fi, your device says you have internet, but nothing loads. After a moment of confusion, you spot the culprit—the Zscaler app. If you find that Zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service on your phone or laptop, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through why this happens and provide clear, step-by-step instructions to get you back online.
Why Does Zscaler Stop Your Internet Service?
Before diving into the fixes, it helps to understand that Zscaler is doing its job. Its primary function is to act as a security gateway, inspecting all your internet traffic to protect you and your organization from threats. When it cuts off your connection, it’s usually for one of these reasons:
- Authentication Timeout: Your login session with Zscaler has expired, and it needs you to sign in again to verify your identity.
- Network Changes: When you switch from one Wi-Fi network to another, or from Wi-Fi to mobile data, Zscaler re-evaluates the new connection. During this brief period, it may block traffic until the new network is deemed secure.
- Policy Enforcement: Your company’s IT department sets specific rules within Zscaler. If the app detects a security risk or a non-compliant network, it will block your connection to enforce these policies.
- Software Glitches or Conflicts: Like any application, Zscaler can sometimes encounter temporary errors, or it may conflict with another VPN or security application on your device.
How to Fix Zscaler Internet Connectivity Issues
Follow these steps in order, starting with the simplest solutions. In most cases, one of the early steps will resolve your problem.
Step 1: Perform Basic Resets and Checks
These quick actions resolve the majority of Zscaler connectivity problems.
-
Restart the Zscaler App
This is the simplest and most effective first step. It forces the app to re-establish a fresh connection and re-authenticate.- On Windows: Find the Zscaler icon in your system tray (usually at the bottom-right of the screen), right-click it, and select "Exit."
- On macOS: Find the Zscaler icon in your menu bar (top-right of the screen), click it, and select "Quit Zscaler."
- On iOS/Android: Open your app switcher and swipe up to close the Zscaler app completely.
- After closing it, find the Zscaler app in your applications list and re-launch it.
-
Manually Re-Authenticate
If the app is running but the internet is blocked, your session may have expired.- Open the Zscaler application.
- Look for a button that says "Connect," "Login," or "Authenticate."
- Click it and follow the prompts to enter your company login credentials again.
-
Confirm Your Base Internet Connection
Is Zscaler really the problem? Let’s make sure your internet is working without it.- Temporarily disconnect or exit the Zscaler app using the methods in the first point.
- Open a web browser and try to visit a reliable website like google.com.
- If the site still doesn’t load, the issue is with your Wi-Fi or mobile data, not Zscaler. You’ll need to troubleshoot your network connection itself.
Step 2: Clear Data and Check for Updates
If the basics didn’t work, a deeper reset or an update might be necessary.
-
Update the Zscaler Client Connector: An outdated version of the app can cause compatibility issues. Open the app and look in the "About" or "More" section for an "Update" option. If you can’t update it yourself, your IT department may need to push the update to your device.
-
Clear App Cache (Mobile Devices): On Android or iOS, clearing the app’s cache can resolve issues caused by old, corrupted data without deleting your login information.
- On Android: Go to
Settings > Apps > Zscaler > Storage & cache > Clear cache. - On iOS: The simplest way to do this is to offload and reinstall the app. Go to
Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Zscaler > Offload App, and then tapReinstall App.
- On Android: Go to
-
Use the "Repair App" Function (Windows/macOS): The desktop Zscaler client often includes a self-repair tool.
- Open the Zscaler app.
- Click on "More".
- Select "Repair App" from the menu. This will run a diagnostic and attempt to fix common configuration errors.
Step 3: Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Problems
If the issue where Zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service is a recurring theme, one of these specific scenarios may be the cause.
| Symptom / Scenario | Likely Cause and Solution |
|---|---|
| Internet drops every time you switch networks (e.g., from home Wi-Fi to office Wi-Fi). | This is Zscaler’s security protocol in action. It must verify each new network. Solution: Be patient for 15-30 seconds. If it doesn’t reconnect automatically, open the app and manually click "Connect" or re-authenticate. |
| Only certain websites or applications are blocked, but others work fine. | This is almost always a security policy set by your IT department. The site or app may be in a category that your company has chosen to block. Solution: You cannot fix this yourself. Contact your IT help desk and ask if access to that specific service is permitted. |
| The Zscaler app shows an error like "Policy Not Available" or "Connection Error." | This indicates a problem with the app connecting to the main Zscaler service or fetching your user policy. Solution: Try the "Repair App" function mentioned in Step 2. If that fails, the problem may be on Zscaler’s end or with your company’s configuration. Contact IT. |
| You have another VPN or security software running at the same time. | Two security services that try to control network traffic will often conflict. Solution: Disable or quit any other VPN or firewall software. You should only run one at a time. |
When to Contact Your IT Department
While this guide can solve many user-side issues, some problems can only be fixed by your company’s IT administrators. You should contact them if:
- None of the steps above have resolved your issue.
- You consistently need to perform these steps every day.
- The Zscaler app displays specific error codes or messages about "Policy Failure."
- You believe a website or application you need for work is being unfairly blocked.
To help them solve your problem faster, be prepared to provide the following information:
- A brief description of the problem (e.g., "My internet stops working and I have to restart Zscaler to fix it.").
- The steps you have already taken to try and fix it.
- Your device type (e.g., Dell Laptop, iPhone 13).
- Your operating system version (e.g., Windows 11, macOS Monterey).
- The version of the Zscaler app you are using (found in the "About" section of the app).
Zscaler Mobile Slowing You Down? FAQs
If you’re experiencing internet issues after installing Zscaler Mobile, you’re not alone. This FAQ addresses common concerns and solutions.
Why is my internet so slow after installing Zscaler Mobile?
Zscaler Mobile acts as a proxy, routing your traffic through their servers for security. This extra step can introduce latency and reduce speeds, especially on weaker networks. In some cases, configuration issues or bugs may cause zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service unexpectedly.
How can I tell if Zscaler Mobile is the cause of my slow internet?
Try temporarily disabling Zscaler Mobile. If your internet speed significantly improves, Zscaler is likely the culprit. You can also use online speed test tools with and without Zscaler active to compare results.
What can I do to improve internet speed while using Zscaler Mobile?
First, ensure your Zscaler app is updated to the latest version. Check your Zscaler configuration settings – sometimes unnecessarily strict settings impact performance. Switching to a faster or more stable Wi-Fi network can also help. If zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service regardless, consult with your IT department about optimizing your Zscaler Mobile settings.
What if none of these solutions work?
Contact your IT support or Zscaler support team. There may be underlying issues with your device, network configuration, or the Zscaler service itself that require their expertise. Don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized assistance as zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service for some users.
So, did you finally get your Zscaler Mobile to play nice and *stop* interrupting your internet? Hopefully, this helped! If you’re *still* dealing with issues where zscaler mobile continue to stop internet service, don’t hesitate to poke around online forums for more ideas.