> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.messagedesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fix App Lag, Sync Delays, and ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED

> Troubleshoot MessageDesk lag, messages that only appear after a refresh, and ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED errors. Learn how VPNs and changing IP addresses affect the app.

# Troubleshoot app sync and lag

Use this page if MessageDesk feels slow, stops syncing, or only shows new inbound messages after you refresh.

## Common symptoms

* New inbound messages don't appear until you refresh the app.
* The app lags or feels out of sync with what your teammates see.
* You see an `ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED` error (error code `-21`) in your browser.
* You're unexpectedly signed out or see login errors.

## Check your VPN first

A VPN is the most common cause of these symptoms. Using a VPN with MessageDesk is fine. Problems start when the VPN drops connections or rotates your IP address often.

Each time your IP address changes, your browser treats it as a new network. Chrome resets its network state and refreshes local DNS records for the device. Any request MessageDesk sends at that moment fails with `ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED`. This is standard browser behavior, and MessageDesk can't prevent it. The dropped requests are why new messages may not appear until you refresh.

<Note>
  Low-quality or misconfigured VPNs are the usual culprit. Some VPNs switch servers or locations every hour or so, even while you're active in the app.
</Note>

## How to fix it

1. **Turn off your VPN** and reload MessageDesk. If the lag and refresh issues stop, your VPN is the cause.
2. **Pin your VPN to one server or location.** Turn off any setting that rotates servers or IP addresses automatically.
3. **Use a stable, reliable VPN provider.** Your IT team may be able to add MessageDesk to the VPN's split-tunnel or bypass list.
4. **Check your internet connection.** Switching between WiFi and cellular, or between WiFi networks, can also change your IP address and trigger the same error.
5. **Refresh the app** after any network change to make sure you're seeing the latest messages.

## Still having issues?

[Contact support](/resources/support) and let us know:

* Whether you use a VPN, and which provider.
* Your browser and version, or whether you use the mobile app.
* The exact error message and roughly when it happened.


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