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Testing a proxy: quick check vs full check

You might be here because: “what does the Test button actually check” · “the full proxy check runs where your sessions run and is available on paid plans” · “quick check vs full check” · “Check VPN takes 90 seconds” · “test says not on plan” · “how many proxy tests do I get on free” · “how do I test my proxy” · “proxy test failed”

Short answer

A proxy test answers one question: would a session through this proxy work right now? The quick check is measured by Driftstack’s own server. The full check runs on the machine that actually runs your profile — it connects the tunnel and measures latency and exit. An OpenVPN or WireGuard proxy always gets the full check, even when the quick one is asked for: a VPN can only be checked by bringing its tunnel up, and most VPN servers answer only over UDP, which the quick check cannot reach (the result says check_ran: "full"). The Trial and every current plan can run it; the earlier Free plan, now retired, got the quick check only.

Check first

  • Signed in and online? Tests run through your account.
  • Is the proxy saved? A row is stored on your account when it is tested or used.

Likely causes and fixes

  1. SOCKS5 “Test”. Connects, logs in and makes a real request through the proxy — the same check a launch runs, so green here means the same as a successful launch. The row shows a number “from this Mac” and one from Driftstack; only the Driftstack one predicts a session.
  2. “Check VPN” (OpenVPN/WireGuard). “checks the address, connects the VPN and measures its latency and exit”. It shows “Testing through Driftstack — up to 90 s” — that is normal, not a hang.
  3. HTTP “Check endpoint”. Only checks the address can be found; an HTTP proxy can’t run a session.
  4. “address ok” on a VPN row. The address was found; the connection is tested once the proxy is saved and verified at launch.
  5. The full check reported as not included on your plan. This appeared on the earlier Free plan, which got the quick check only, 5 per day. Every current plan runs the full check; past any quick-check budget the API answers 429 with retry_after_seconds.
  6. A test that “could not run” is not a failed proxy. See Proxy test says “Driftstack was busy”.

If it still fails

If your Trial has ended and you want the full check, move to Starter, Pro or Team: open the dashboard → Billing → Choose a plan (self-serve). Scale and Enterprise, refunds, disputed charges and “I paid but the plan is not active” are handled by a person. For a test that gives a result you cannot act on, press Talk to a person in this chat (or open Help) and include the proxy label and the exact text.