Mullvad VPN Split tunneling + Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot breaks internet connection of tunneled applications.

[SmeltingSoup]

Is it a bug?

• I know this is an issue with the app, and contacting Mullvad support is not relevant.

I have checked if others have reported this already

• I have checked the issue tracker to see if others have reported similar issues.

Current Behavior

With Mullvad VPN active, applications that are split tunneled break when Windows 10 mobile hotspot is turned on, they cease any out going connection, steam, web browser etc.... Either have to turn off split tunneling, disconnect from Mullvad, or turn off Windows 10 hotspot.

Expected Behavior

internet connection does not break when mobile hotspot is turned on.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Activate mullvad, split tunnel web browser
2. Activate Windows 10 mobile hot spot (Sharing your internet connection/network wirelessly
3. Split tunneled applications no longer connect to the internet until hotspot is turned off, or split tunnel is deactivated.

Failure Logs

Operating system version

Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, Version 10.0.19044 Build 19044,

Mullvad VPN app version

2025.4

Additional Information

Video uploaded in case I worded what was going on poorly

https://streamable.com/gcyn3s

[SmeltingSoup]

I should have clarified, the VPN'd connections work just fine.

[SmeltingSoup]

Update: Okay, If the shared connection (determines which adaptor connection is being shared to the hotspot so connected devices have internet)
is set on "Ethernet" (source of my internet connection) The above submitted issue happens.

If Mullvad adapter is set as the shared connection, everything works fine, split tunneling works and doesn't break tunneled applications.

I'm not sure if this is intended behavior or not though, I'd love to understand why this happens though as it left me scratching my head for a hot minute trying to workout why things were breaking.

[hulthe]

Thanks for the report, we've managed to reproduce the issue.

I'm not sure if this is intended behavior or not though, I'd love to understand why this happens though as it left me scratching my head for a hot minute trying to workout why things were breaking.

Definitely not intended 😆
I'd also love to know why this happens