A very common scenario: paste the subscription link given by the service provider into v2rayN, click update, and it will be prompted that it is successful, but the node list is empty, or a parsing error will simply be reported. This is probably not because you did something wrong, but because the subscription in your hand is Clash-specific format, v2rayN does not recognize it. This article explains clearly what the subscription format is and how to change it into a usable one.
1There are three major categories of subscription formats, and each client recognizes its own format.
"Subscription" is essentially a text file on the server, but it can be written in several ways:
- Universal subscription (v2ray format): put a bunch of
vmess://,vless://The shared link is packaged and then Base64 encoded. When the browser opens, there is a large string of incomprehensible letters and numbers. This is what v2rayN eats. - Clash Subscription: A YAML file, which can be seen when opened by the browser
proxies:,rules:Such words also carry diversion rules. For Clash client. - sing-box configuration: JSON format, very structured, used by sing-box clients.
10 seconds judgment method: Paste the subscription link into the browser address bar and open it. Full screen Base64 garbled code = universal subscription, just add v2rayN directly; see proxies: Font = Clash subscription needs to be handled as follows.
2Method 1 (most recommended): Go back to the service provider's backend and change to a universal subscription
Most proxy providers panels provide subscriptions in several formats at the same time, but the Clash one is displayed by default. Go to the user center of the service provider's website and look for the "One-click subscription/subscription link" area. You can usually see "v2ray subscription" "universal subscription" "Base64" Options like this, copy that one, press normal process Just add v2rayN.
This is the most stable way: it does not go through any third party, and the subscription will not become invalid due to the failure of the conversion service. If you can't find the entrance, just ask the customer service "I want a subscription for v2rayN", and the other party will understand.
3Method 2: Use subscription conversion service
If the service provider really only provides Clash format (rare but available), you can use a subscription conversion tool such as subconverter: open the conversion page, paste the original subscription link in, select "v2ray" as the target format, generate a new link, and then new link Add to v2rayN's subscription.
Think about this before switching: The subscription address is equal to your account credentials. Using a public conversion station to convert is equivalent to handing over your subscription to an unfamiliar server - the other party can pull all your nodes and theoretically record them. Prioritize using the conversion portal provided by the proxy providers; if you really need to use the public website, consider resetting the subscription address in the background when you are done using it.
4Method 3: If there are few nodes, move them manually
If there are only three or five nodes, there is no need to bother with conversion: let the other party directly convert the nodes to vmess:// / vless:// It will be sent to you in the form of a share link. After copying it, use "Server" → "Import batch URL from clipboard" to import it in v2rayN. All parameters have been included in the link, so there is no formatting problem. A complete description of hand-filled parameters can be found in Tutorial on adding nodes manually.
5Even after changing the format, the node still cannot be pulled?
- Wrong update method selected: For the first update, you need to use "Update Subscription (through a method other than the proxy)". At this time, the proxy is not connected yet.
- The subscription itself expires: Go to the service provider's backend to confirm the package status. If the subscription has been exhausted, it will be empty.
- Incomplete link pasting: Subscription links are often very long and are easily truncated when copied from the chat software. You have to copy them again from the background.
By the way: If you are wondering "the subscription belongs to Clash, should you just change to Clash client", you can take a look first Comparison between v2rayN and Clash, both sides have suitable groups of people, so there is no need to forcefully adapt to the situation.