diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
index bde390d9b..6b18f8ec3 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment() {
         autoRotationEnabled = PreferenceHelper.getBoolean(
             requireContext(),
             "auto_fullscreen",
-            true
+            false
         )
         val mainActivity = activity as MainActivity
         if (autoRotationEnabled) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/util/ConnectionHelper.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/util/ConnectionHelper.kt
index 91020ed45..545252c47 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/util/ConnectionHelper.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/util/ConnectionHelper.kt
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ object ConnectionHelper {
     fun isNetworkAvailable(context: Context): Boolean {
         val connectivityManager =
             context.getSystemService(Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE) as ConnectivityManager
+
+        // this seems to not recognize vpn connections
+        /*
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
             val nw = connectivityManager.activeNetwork ?: return false
             val actNw = connectivityManager.getNetworkCapabilities(nw) ?: return false
@@ -28,5 +31,8 @@ object ConnectionHelper {
         } else {
             return connectivityManager.activeNetworkInfo?.isConnected ?: false
         }
+         */
+        
+        return connectivityManager.activeNetworkInfo?.isConnected ?: false
     }
 }