How local access works with a VPN

To access a local device (for example, a printer, NAS, or another PC), your system must be able to decide:

  • Which destination IP addresses are “local” and should be reached via your local network interface.
  • How hostnames are resolved to the correct local IP (DNS behavior matters).
  • Whether firewall rules allow the traffic both locally and through the VPN client.

A VPN introduces a new network path. Your computer typically gains a virtual network interface associated with the VPN. After that, the operating system uses routing rules to determine which interface should send each packet.

Typical outcomes

  • Local access enabled (depending on configuration): Some systems route local-subnet traffic outside the VPN tunnel (often described as “bypass” or “local network access” behavior). Then you can reach local IPs like 192.168.x.x.
  • Local access blocked or inconvenient: If the VPN tunnel captures most traffic, requests to local IP ranges may be sent into the tunnel instead of going out your local Wi‑Fi/Ethernet path. If the remote end of the VPN (or the client configuration) cannot reach your local subnet, the connection fails.
  • Hostname resolves to the “wrong” place: Even if routing is correct, DNS may be set to use the VPN’s DNS resolver. If your local hostname (like a device name) resolves differently than you expect, you may not reach the intended local device.

Differences and limits to expect

Here are the main limitations that can determine the outcome.

1) Routing and “tunnel capture”

When the VPN client (or system) routes traffic broadly through the tunnel, your local subnet may no longer be reachable directly. The key difference isn’t the VPN concept itself, but how the client installs routes and how it decides what counts as local traffic.

2) DNS and split-horizon name resolution

Local devices may be addressed by hostname (e.g., nas.local or a local device name). If DNS over the VPN doesn’t resolve those names to local addresses on your LAN, connections can fail even when IP routing would otherwise work.

3) Local firewall rules

Even if the VPN client is configured to allow local reachability, your local network’s firewall (router policies, Windows/macOS firewall, or device firewall) can block inbound connections to the device you’re trying to reach.

4) VPN provider and client features vary

Different VPN clients and settings can offer options such as local network access, allowing LAN bypass, or “split tunneling” behavior. The exact names and availability depend on the client and platform you’re using, so treat any tutorial as potentially environment-specific.

5) What “local network” means

“Local network access” usually means your LAN subnets (private address ranges like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) rather than the public internet. If you try to access a device by a public address that happens to point back into your home network, that may involve NAT and port-forwarding, which is a different problem than LAN routing.

Practical checks you can run

Use these non-destructive checks to verify whether you can reach local networks while the VPN is on.

Check 1: Test using a local IP address

  1. Find a local device IP on your LAN (for example, your router or another reachable device).
  2. While the VPN is active, try to connect directly to that IP.

If direct IP connections work, routing and DNS are likely sufficient for local access. If they fail, the VPN configuration (or firewall) is probably preventing LAN traffic.

Check 2: Compare routing and interface behavior

When the VPN is connected, your system will have a VPN network interface. Confirm which interface is being used for the destination address.

If local-subnet traffic is going through the VPN interface, local access may fail unless the VPN endpoint can route back to your LAN.

Check 3: Verify DNS resolution while on VPN

Resolve the hostname you use for the local device while the VPN is connected, then compare it with what you get when the VPN is disconnected.

If the resolved IP changes, or if the hostname no longer resolves to the local IP, DNS is likely the cause.

Check 4: Confirm firewall allowance on both sides

  • Ensure the local device allows the connection type you’re using (web UI, SMB, SSH, etc.).
  • Ensure your computer firewall isn’t blocking the traffic.

Even “correct” routing won’t help if the destination device refuses the connection.

  • Split tunneling: A concept where only some traffic goes through the VPN, and other traffic uses the normal local network path.
  • DNS through the VPN: Some setups send DNS queries over the VPN, which can change how local names resolve.
  • LAN bypass / local network access: A common label for configurations intended to keep local-subnet traffic reachable during VPN use.

Because implementations vary, the most reliable approach is to test in your own environment using IP-based checks, DNS comparison, and interface/routing observations.